Ocean Drilling Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Geosciences, through the Division of Ocean Sciences, supports the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP), which is the successor to the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). This program advances basic research in marine geosciences by enabling international scientific collaboration focused on understanding Earth’s past, present, and future. The IODP science plan outlines the central objectives, emphasizing climate, environmental, crustal, and observatory science objectives that require a combination of drilling platforms. These include the JOIDES Resolution, a light drillship provided by NSF; Chikyu, a heavy riser-equipped vessel provided by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT); and mission-specific platforms coordinated through the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD). Together, these vessels and platforms address scientific challenges across diverse ocean environments and geological contexts. The NSF provides oversight of U.S. involvement in IODP through cooperative agreements with partner institutions. Texas A&M University manages scientific operations for the JOIDES Resolution, while the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board conducts planning. Japan’s Chikyu drillship is operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) with planning led by the Chikyu IODP Board. ECORD coordinates European mission-specific platforms with logistical support from the European Science Operator. Additionally, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego hosts the Science Support Office (SSO), which provides logistical support for advisory boards, manages the proposal and review process, and oversees the IODP Site Survey Data Bank. To facilitate participation by U.S. researchers, the United States Science Support Program (USSSP), administered by the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, provides funding and support. USSSP activities include support for U.S. scientists participating in expeditions, initial post-expedition research, and membership on IODP advisory panels. It also funds planning and thematic workshops, pre-drilling site characterization activities, and outreach efforts such as graduate student fellowships and lecture series. U.S. scientists are eligible to seek drilling-related research funding either through NSF core programs such as Marine Geology and Geophysics, Earth Sciences, and Polar Programs, or through supplemental USSSP funding. The funding available through USSSP includes supplemental awards, typically under $18,000, to support post-expedition research for participating U.S. scientists. Additional support is available for planning workshops and pre-drilling data acquisition activities. These opportunities are designed to enhance scientific outcomes of IODP expeditions and to encourage broader participation from the U.S. research community. However, details such as total program funding, overall number of awards, or a precise ceiling for larger research grants are not specified in the available information. Instead, investigators are directed to apply through the most relevant NSF program for larger-scale projects. The eligibility criteria for this program are not described in detail but are broadly inclusive of U.S.-based academic and research institutions. Given that NSF and USSSP support U.S. scientists’ participation, eligibility is generally limited to U.S. researchers, with opportunities for graduate students and established scientists alike. Participation in expeditions, panel service, or research is generally tied to institutional affiliation rather than individual eligibility alone. No explicit matching requirements are mentioned. Proposals must be submitted according to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), or through Grants.gov using NSF’s application guidance. All submissions must comply with NSF’s research security policies and administrative requirements. As of September 2025, the program PD 14-5720 does not list an open or upcoming deadline for applications, and it is currently awaiting a new publication. Past awards are visible through NSF’s award database, and updates to research security policies, including annual certifications and restrictions on affiliations, apply to applicants. The primary contact for the program is Kevin T. Johnson, available at ktjohnso@nsf.gov or (703) 292-7442. NSF headquarters is located at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314. Researchers interested in IODP opportunities should monitor NSF’s funding announcements for the reissue of Program Description PD 14-5720 and related opportunities through Ocean Sciences or USSSP.