Research Development International Collaboration Awards (RDICA) Career Development Call

This call is now open.

The next confirmed deadline for applications is 12noon 5th August 2026 for activities taking place in the 2026-27 University of Bristol academic year. All funded activities and related spend for applications to the August 2026 deadline must take place between 1st November 2026 and 31st July 2027, with no exceptions.

The Research Development International Collaboration Award (RDICA) Career Development call is an internal funding scheme, which supports University of Bristol (UoB) early career researchers to establish long-term international research collaboration, by funding activities that demonstrate a pathway to external research grant funding.

The RDICA Career Development Call differs from the standard RDICA call in that applicants must be considered early career researchers (please see details in the Call Specification document). Therefore it is expected that applicants will be at an earlier stage in their pathway to an external research funding bid.

Supported activities

  • International visits to establish or develop collaborations that will be sustained via future joint external research funding bids.
  • Collaborative workshops/writing retreats e.g. exploring ways of working together, methods, bid development etc.

Please note that the RDICA Career Development Call does not fund sustained research itself or conference attendance.

Level of funding available

  • Maximum of £2,500. (Our team will give you a budget code for spend.)
  • For applications focused on Low- or Middle-Income Country (LMIC) partners, additional costs associated with travel to/from LMIC countries are permitted.

Who can apply

University of Bristol researchers within 10 years of completing their PhD. The details of the international collaborator(s) are also required on the application form.

When to apply

  • The next confirmed deadline is 12 noon on Wednesday 5th August 2026. All funded activities and related spend for applications to the August 2026 deadline must take place between 1st November 2026 and 31st July 2027, with no exceptions.  Please note that projects must not start before November 2026.
  • We normally aim to communicate decisions within eight weeks of the submission deadline.

How to apply

You must read the Call Specification document before starting your application, paying particular attention to eligibility requirements, the costs covered, required outcomes and assessment criteria:

 For all queries, please contact the Research Development International team via rd-international@bristol.ac.uk