UK International Ocean Drilling Programme Site Survey
UK Research and Innovation funds multidisciplinary site surveys for scientific ocean drilling to advance geophysical research on Earth's systems and inform future drilling expeditions.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
UK Research and Innovation has archived this opportunity.
Funder: UK Research and Innovation
Due Dates: July 14, 2026 (Full application deadline, 16:00 UK time)
Funding Amounts: £10,000–£500,000 per project (up to £500k for ship borne, £187.5k for virtual site surveys; NERC funds 80% FEC; total fund £800,000; project duration up to 24 months)
Summary: Supports UK-led site surveys for scientific ocean drilling, enabling geophysical characterisation of drilling sites to advance multidisciplinary Earth system research.
Key Information: Applicants may participate in no more than two proposals (only one as lead); NERC funds 80% FEC; only eligible UK research organisations may lead.
Description
This funding opportunity, managed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), supports UK-led ship borne and virtual site survey investigations to underpin applications for scientific ocean drilling expeditions under the International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3). The grant funds detailed geophysical characterisation of proposed drilling sites, which is critical for developing competitive research proposals aligned with the IODP’s 2050 Science Framework. The programme encourages multidisciplinary research, early career researcher involvement, and international collaboration, aiming to address major scientific challenges related to Earth's habitability, tectonic dynamics, climate variability, environmental tipping points, global cycles, and marine hazards.
