Ocean Drilling Program
NSF-sponsored support for U.S. scientists' IODP-related participation, planning, outreach, and limited post-expedition or drilling-related research activities.
⚑ Multiple program paths: many pre- and post-expedition studies are meant for other NSF programs, while USSSP adds supplemental planning/outreach/post-expedition support. · Some support is limited to U.S.-based researchers participating in IODP expeditions or related panels; specific activities include workshops, pre-drilling data integration, and outreach. · Supplemental post-expedition research support mentioned is under $18,000.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: environment, climate_weather, energy; signature methods: community engaged; social/behavioral work is minor; funds basic research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 15 none | deep-tech content; no commercialization signal |
Description
International Ocean Discovery Program Operations
The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) serves to advance basic research in the marine geosciences and is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its international partners. The science plan, Illuminating Earth's Past, Present, and Future: The International Ocean Discovery Program Science Plan for 2013-2023 , provides justification for the United States' participation in the IODP and reflects the top priorities of the international science community. A multi-platform approach is required to address the goals outlined in the IODP science plan, including a non-riser vessel to collect widely-distributed high-resolution cores to address climate, environmental, crustal and observatory science objectives; a heavy riser-equipped vessel to reach the deep sedimentary and crustal layers; and mission-specific platforms to support high-latitude and shallow-water projects.
The light drillship, JOIDES Resolution , is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation. Science operations for the JOIDES Resolution are conducted through a Cooperative Agreement with Texas A&M University with scientific planning conducted by the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board .
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan provides the heavy drillship, Chikyu (Earth), to conduct the deep drilling projects in the new program. The Center for Deep Earth Exploration of the Independent Administrative Institution, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) operates the vessel for IODP. Scientific planning for Chikyu IODP operations is conducted by the Chikyu IODP Board .
Mission Specific Platforms (MSP) are provided by the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) . The ECORD Facility Board conducts scientific planning for MSP expeditions and the platforms themselves are operated by the European Science Operator (ESO) .
A Science Support Office (SSO) is provided by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation. The SSO’s primary tasks include:
providing logistical support for the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board and its advisory panels
overseeing the proposal submission and review process
managing the Site Survey Data Bank
providing a gateway website to IODP scientific planning
U.S. scientific community involvement in IODP is facilitated by the United States Science Support Program (USSSP) for Ocean Drilling. USSSP is run by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation. USSSP’s primary tasks are:
support for U.S.-based researchers to participate on IODP expeditions, participate on the IODP advisory panels, and conduct initial post-expedition research
support for planning and thematic workshops and pre-drilling activities to collect, refine, and/or integrate site specific and/or regional data that aid in planning drilling expeditions
support outreach activities on IODP drilling platforms, for graduate students fellowships, and an IODP-themed lecture series.
United States Science Support for Drilling-Related Research
Grant support for drilling-related research performed by United States scientists is available from the NSF. Proposals for most pre-expedition (e.g., site characterization) and post-expedition studies should be submitted through the appropriate NSF programs, such as Ocean Sciences Marine Geology and Geophysics, Earth Sciences, Polar Programs, etc.
Additional drilling-related research support for United States scientists may be obtained via the U.S. Science Support Program . Funding opportunities from this NSF-sponsored program include, but are not limited to:
supplemental funding (<$18,000) for post-expedition research by U.S scientists who participate in IODP expeditions
planning activities, such as workshops on specific ocean-drilling scientific themes, topics, or geographic regions
pre-drilling activities to acquire data or information that will enhance a drilling expedition.
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: U.S. National Science Foundation <grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.