UK IODP | Get Involved

Get Involved

The UK subscription to IODP3 via ECORD provides all scientists based at UK research institutions with exciting and unique opportunities to participate in frontier science in challenging environments that would otherwise be inaccessible to us:

All IODP3 expeditions are open to applications to participate from UK Scientists
UK Scientists are eligible to submit proposals for drilling using IODP3 platforms and for SPARCs
UK Scientists represent the scientific community on IODP3 and ECORD boards and panels

In addition:

Scientific Ocean Drilling samples and data are available to all for the purposes of scientific research and outreach
All Scientific Ocean Drilling Reports are available online as open access documents

Apply to join an expedition

Anyone based at a UK research institution who is interested in participating in any expedition is encouraged to complete an application. The most up to date Expedition Schedule is available on the IODP3 website; dates may be subject to modification. Additional information about all expeditions can be found on the IODP3 and ECORD websites. Participation in an expedition as a science team member gives each scientist exclusive access to the samples and data produced by the expedition, within the moratorium period. UK-IODP provides funding for UK scientists to cover participation costs and to support research to be carried out during the moratorium period directly post-cruise.

UK scientists must submit their applications via the IODP3 Gateway and must also send copies of their application to the UK-IODP Programme Manager and UK ESSAC Representative. Guidelines and application forms can be found on the ECORD website here. Staffing decisions are made in consultation with co-chief scientists and the implementing organisations (Science Operators). Final staffing authority lies with the respective platform Science Operator. Successful UK applicants should notify the Programme Manager and Knowledge Exchange Coordinator at the earliest opportunity, that they have been offered, and have accepted, a berth on an IODP3 expedition. UK participants must also submit a Moratorium Award application three months before sailing.

Join an Expedition

Submit a Proposal

Submit a Drilling Proposal

The submission of proposals gives individuals/groups of scientists the opportunity to respond to IODP3's scientific priorities as expressed in the Science Framework, and to recommend appropriate targets for drilling. Drilling proposals can be submitted for the use of the Chikyu and Mission Specific Platforms (MSPs). Proposals that involve drilling both on land and at sea are also invited, through coordination with the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP).

Proposals may be submitted via the IODP3 Gateway at any time, but are evaluated after two deadlines each year (31st January and 1st July). Note that full proposals for Land-to-Sea drilling projects submitted to IODP3 will only be evaluated after the July deadline (and that Land-to-Sea preliminary and workshop proposals are submitted to ICDP, not IODP3). Calls for drilling proposals released via Announcements on the IODP3 homepage act as reminders of these deadlines.

Proponents are strongly encouraged to contact the facility Science Operators to discuss platform-specific operational and fiscal constraints before developing proposals. Proposed drill sites must be supported by site characterisation data that builds confidence that targets are correctly identified, achievable, and safe. The deadline for submitting site characterisation data to support drilling proposals is one month after the proposal submission deadline.

It is important to recognise that the IODP3 proposal system is a constructive process designed to transform exciting science into successful expeditions. This iterative approach encourages communication between the science proponents, the IODP3 Advisory Panels, and the drilling platform’s Science Operator. If you have a new idea for scientific ocean drilling you are advised to first submit a Preliminary Proposal before engaging in the preparation of the lengthier Full Proposal. The IODP3 Submission Guidelines for Scientific Drilling Proposals document provides detailed information on all aspects of the process.

Drilling proposals are peer-reviewed by the Science Evaluation Panel (SEP). The SEP typically meets in the Spring and Autumn and the outcomes of reviews are sent to lead proponents by the IODP3 Science Office within one month. SEP forwards the very best proposals to the MSP Facility Board (MSP-FB) to consider for scheduling by one of the IODP3 Science Operators.

Throughout the proposal development and evaluation process, proponents, SEP and the MSP-FB will also receive advice from the Safety and Environment Advisory Group (SEA Group) regarding potential safety and environmental issues associated with proposed drill sites.

The UK IODP Programme Advisory Group is available for consultation in the preparation of proposals, please contact Prof. Tony Morris in the first instance. For more information on proposal requirements and submission procedures please click here.

Submit a SPARC Proposal

The IODP3 Scientific Projects using Ocean Drilling Archives (SPARCs) initiative supports large-scale research projects that may address any aspect of the 2050 Science Framework. However, it particularly encourages the development of ambitious projects that contribute to the Flagship Initiatives defined in the 2050 Science Framework.

SPARCs should use legacy assets (core, samples and data) collected previously by ocean drilling to address globally significant processes/problems. They should adopt innovative, creative, and multidisciplinary approaches to, for example, the production of large new datasets, integration of data across multiple expeditions, and/or the application of new methods or technologies not available when the legacy assets were collected. Guidelines for SPARC proposals can be found here.

SPARC proposals may be submitted via the IODP3 Gateway at any time, but are evaluated by SEP during its Spring meeting after a single annual submission deadline on 31 January. SEP may either endorse or decline SPARC proposals. Declined proposals may be improved using SEP feedback and resubmitted to a subsequent annual round. SEP-endorsed SPARC proposals are considered for funding by the MSP-FB, and those not selected for immediate implementation will be considered in subsequent rounds. The number of SPARCs that can be funded each year will depend on available programmatic budgets.

Represent

Board & Panel Membership

IODP3 activities are overseen by several panels and boards:

The IODP3 Platform Providers have established the MSP-Facility Board (MSP-FB) to make or inform decisions on the effective use of the drilling facilities in fulfilling the objectives of the IODP Science Plan.

The IODP3 Science Evaluation Panel (SEP) is responsible for the peer review of MSP drilling expedition and SPARC proposals submitted by the international scientific ocean drilling research community. This includes evaluation of the quality and appropriateness of site survey data related to planned primary and alternate drill sites. It is composed of volunteer domain experts from IODP member countries.

The IODP3 Safety and Environment Advisory (SEA) Group is an advisory body to the MSP-FB, SEP and IODP3 Operators and provides independent advice regarding potential safety and environmental issues associated with the general and specific geological settings of proposed IODP3 drill sites. It is composed of volunteer domain experts from IODP member countries.

Each board/panel includes UK scientists. Vanacancies and calls for new members will be advertised to the UK scientific community via the UK-IODP website homepage and Newsletter when open.

Image credit: William Crawford & IODP JRSO