RDA-US 2026 Cohort Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The RDA-US 2026 Cohort is a leadership and community engagement program designed to strengthen U.S. participation in the Research Data Alliance (RDA) by supporting a small cohort of U.S.-based participants who are ready to engage actively in RDA Working Groups (WGs) and Interest Groups (IGs).

The program is intended to help participants:

  • Build leadership and international collaboration experience
  • Become active contributors within RDA WGs and IGs
  • Use RDA as a platform to advance their own projects and research infrastructure efforts
  • Strengthen U.S. engagement and visibility within the global RDA community

The cohort emphasizes active contribution, not passive attendance.

Program Status

Accepting applications now Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a submission deadline of February 15, 2026. Up to 15 participants will be selected.

Who Should Apply?

The RDA-US 2026 Cohort is open to individuals who:

  • Are based in the United States
  • Are interested in RDA and motivated to engage actively
  • Want to leverage RDA to support their own projects or international collaborations
  • Are prepared to contribute to ongoing WG/IG work

Early-career applicants are encouraged but not required. Prior RDA experience is not required, but applicants should demonstrate enough familiarity with RDA to realistically use it as a venue for contribution and collaboration. You do not need to be an RDA member at the time of application, but you must be willing to engage meaningfully with the RDA community if selected.

What Does Participation Involve?

Cohort members are expected to participate in both of the following required, in-person activities:

In addition to attending these events, cohort members are expected to:

  • Engage actively with one or more RDA WGs or IGs
  • Develop and refine an engagement plan
  • Follow through with post-plenary participation and contributions

Post-plenary engagement is required and is a core expectation of the program.

Travel Support

Travel support is provided for cohort members to attend:

  • Washington, DC (March 17-18, 2026)
  • London (October 6-8, 2026)

Travel may be arranged either through:

  • Prepaid travel, or
  • Reimbursement, depending on circumstances and logistics

This includes funding to cover registration for both the Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 plenaries. Additional details about allowable expenses and reimbursement procedures will be shared with selected participants.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

  • Alignment with active RDA Working Groups or Interest Groups
  • Readiness to contribute to RDA work in a concrete and sustained way

Selection is competitive, and the cohort is intentionally small to allow for focused engagement and facilitation.

If I’m Not Selected, Can I Apply Again?

Yes. Applicants who are not selected for the RDA-US 2026 Cohort are welcome to reapply in future cohort rounds, if and when the program is offered again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to be an RDA member to apply?
A: No. RDA membership is not required at the time of application. However, selected participants are expected to engage actively with RDA and its WGs/IGs.

Q: Is this program only for early-career participants?
A: No. Early-career applicants are encouraged, but participants at other career stages are welcome to apply if they meet the program goals and expectations.

Q: Is attendance at both the DC and London events required?
A: Yes. Participation in both the Washington, DC convening and the London plenary is required for cohort members.

Q: Is this a training or mentoring program?
A: No. The program focuses on facilitated access, community integration, and contribution pathways, not long-term mentoring or formal training.

Q: Can I participate remotely instead of traveling?
A: No. This cohort is intentionally designed around in-person engagement and community-building at key RDA events.

Q: How many participants will be selected?
A: Up to 15 participants will be selected for the 2026 cohort.

Q: How are applications reviewed?
A: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with final decisions made after the February 15, 2026 deadline.

Q: What level of time commitment is expected after the plenaries?
A: Participants are expected to remain engaged with their selected WG(s)/IG(s) following the plenaries and to make meaningful contributions over time.

Questions or Contact

If you have questions about the RDA-US 2026 Cohort: