Next Proposal Submission Deadline: April 1, 2021, 23:59 UTC

The Proposal Database System (PDB) is the web-based interface for completing and submitting IODP proposals and RFI responses. PDB offers specific guidance and many proposal components are now created interactively; proponents are advised to begin working with PDB as soon as a proposal is planned. Please note that simultaneous users are not well supported; generally, the proposal lead is the most appropriate person to access PDB and submit a proposal. Complete proposal preparation guidance, format requirements, and review policies are explained in the IODP Proposal Submission Guidelines.

A Call for Scientific Ocean Drilling Proposals is usually published at least two months in advance of the deadline with specifics about what types proposals are being sought. Read the Call for Proposals carefully before proceeding - not all proposal types are being accepted at this time. Proponents are strongly encouraged to contact the Science Operators to discuss platform-specific operational and fiscal constraints before developing proposals. The IODP Proposal Manager has sole authority to accept proposals or grant exceptions to deadlines and policies.

IODP is also accepting responses to the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board's request for information (RFI) to understand the international scientific community’s intent to propose to the 2050 Science Framework. Submissions to the RFI require completing an online form in the PDB that simply asks about science goals that would be addressed by your future proposal, the region that would be studied, and some additional planning information. Submit by April 30, 2021 for consideration by the JRFB's Working Group on Science Framework Proposals and Requirements, and by June 10, 2021 for consideration by the JRFB. You may submit more than one response.

To submit a drilling proposal or RFI response:

• Log in to PDB to create a new proposal, manage existing proposals, or submit an RFI response
• Download the IODP Proposal Submission Guidelines for detailed information on proposal contents 
• Read the Standard IODP Confidentiality Policy

Most types of proposals also require the submission of site characterization data to the Site Survey Data Bank. 

Proponents with questions about submitting proposals can contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

IODP proposals are considered Active when they are under review by the Science Evaluation Panel (SEP), being considered for scheduling by the program's Facility Boards (JRFB, EFB, CIB), or in the SEP Holding Bin (HB). Proposals that have been unresponsive for 5 years are subject to deactivation. This table is updated after SEP reviews are released and after each Facility Board meeting, and you can download graphs and pie charts of proposal statistics. (last updated March 2021)

Next Data Submission Deadline: May 3, 2021, 23:59 UTC

The Site Survey Data Bank (SSDB) is the system through which site characterization data supporting the IODP proposals, such as seismic profiles, are submitted. Data files submitted to the deadline immediately following a proposal submission deadline are reviewed together with the proposal by the Science Evaluation Panel. While the SSDB is considered an open resource for those developing drilling proposals, proponents have the option of restricting access to their proprietary data as discussed in the Standard IODP Confidentiality Policy. 

After a proposal is accepted, the Science Support Office will set up the proposed sites in the SSDB and contact the lead proponent when the system is ready for data uploads. Data submissions must then be submitted by the deadline. Data submissions must follow the format policies and other regulations specified in the IODP Site Characterization Guidelines. Due to the time required for quality control procedures, data files uploaded after the deadline will be reviewed at the discretion of the Science Support Office. 

To submit data:

• Log in to SSDB to upload and manage site survey data
• Download the IODP Site Characterization Guidelines
• Read the Standard IODP Confidentiality Policy
• See additional Information for Proponents in SSDB

Proponents can contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance. 

This table is a quick reference of required components of the different types of IODP proposals. Complete information is found in the Proposal Submission Guidelines. Note: Site Forms are generated interactively through the online proposal submission system, PDB.

* Full Proposal also includes the sub-types of Multi-phase Drilling Project (MDP), Complementary Project Proposal (CPP). See separate table in the IODP Proposal Guidelines for Land-2-Sea proposals. 

** Figures and Tables are part of the user-uploaded Main Text pdf. They are not uploaded as separate documents. 

*** Detailed site descriptions are not required for MDP, but general site identification is encouraged.