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[PDF version of the
IODP Primer]
The Integrated
Ocean Drilling Program is a critical partner of C-DEBI.
Of course IODP provides the lion's share of the resources
required to access the deep subseafloor, from deep-sea drilling
platforms to installations of CORK observatories. IODP also
provides a wealth of other opportunities for researchers,
students and educators, including access to and development
of other physical assets, networking with existing and new
colleagues world-wide, professional scientific and leadership
development and involvement in IODP's outstanding educational
outreach programs. Initially, the IODP can appear to be an
intimidating and unfathomable organization. However, with
a few helpful hints and the encouragement of your friends,
you should soon find yourself in the middle of a treasure-trove
of valuable resources and opportunities.
Getting Started
For starters, check out the IODP
webpage. It is vast and amazingly informative and fun
to surf, but not all that easy to navigate with purpose. A
first suggestion is to use your browser's "Bookmark"
function liberally in order to quickly return to those pages
that you find particularly important. Also, IODP publishes
a regular "E-News"
newsletter; subscribe
here. Direct links to key IODP websites are noted below.
Getting Involved in Expeditions
A list of recent and upcoming expeditions, along with cruise
information can be found at the
IODP expeditions webpage. If you click on a particular
expedition, you will find additional links to background information,
"Applications to sail", "Requests for samples/data"
and a plethora of other important related information.
A researcher can be involved in an expedition as an on-board
participant or as a shore-based participant. If you apply
for and are chosen as either an on-board or shore-based participant,
you will receive a series of instructive emails that will
guide you through the participation process (e.g., necessary
forms, on-board and post-cruise sample request procedures).
Links to much of this information can be found through the
expeditions
webpage. To apply to participate in an expedition, go
to the IODP
Apply to Sail webpage; then, if you will be affiliated
with a U.S. institution at the time of the expedition, click
on the USA
(USSSP) link and follow the application instructions.
Application deadlines float with the timing of individual
expeditions; they are announced on line and in the IODP "E-News".
The Proposal Process
Yikes! But not as scary as it first seems; take it one step
at a time and ask for advice from one of your experienced
C-DEBI colleagues (e.g., Geoff Wheat, Andy Fisher, Steve D'Hondt,
Katrina Edwards, Wolfgang Bach and others).
The level of required commitment from IODP determines the
type and complexity of the proposal process. Information
on "Drilling Proposals" and specific
guidelines for developing IODP drilling proposals are
available from the IODP website. Questions regarding proposals
submission and proposal handling can be directed to the IODP-MI
Science Coordinators.
Drilling Project Proposals. Proposals to
use one of IODP's drilling platforms are submitted to the
IODP Management International, Inc. (IODP-MI). The process
is rigorous; it is helpful to enlist experienced IODP PIs
among your proposal proponents and to talk to other successful
proposers. The process starts with a preliminary proposal,
followed, if advised to do so by the Science Steering and
Evaluation Panel (SSEP), by an extensive Full proposal. Check
the guidelines (see web pages above) for submission deadlines.
Complementary Project Proposals are scientifically
motivated proposals having a commitment from a third party
source of at least 70% funding for the platform operating
costs of the expedition(s) arising from the proposal. The
science operating costs and the remaining portion of the platform
operating costs are the responsibility of the IODP. Complementary
Project Proposals must satisfy normal Site Survey Panel (SSP)
and Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP) requirements.
Generally, Complementary Project Proposals are fast-tracked
within the science advisory structure.
Ancillary Project Letters (APLs). APLs
are short (5 pages) proposals for work requiring only 3 days
or less of dedicated platform time, that would be ancillary
to an expedition's primary project. Ancillary projects could
involve drilling, logging, CORK installation and/or technician
time, as well as a platform berth.
Engineering Development Proposals. IODP-MI
also accepts solicited and unsolicited proposals to address
specific technological issues associated with sampling, logging,
coring, and borehole infrastructure. Proposals may involve
improvements to existing technologies or development of new
standardized equipment or procedures. Information on Engineering
Development Proposals and relevant links are also available
online.
Participating in the IODP Advisory Structure
Participation in the U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific
Ocean Drilling (USAC) or the IODP Science Advisory Structure
(SAS) is an invaluable way to learn about the IODP structure
and proposal process, while both serving the scientific drilling
community and keeping it informed of deep biosphere discoveries
and issues. Information can be found on the web for USAC
and SAS
and the SAS
Committees and Panels.
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