Program Member Offices (PMOs) manage and fund the participation of researchers working in a member country or consortium in IODP activities. PMOs nominate scientists for IODP expeditions and to serve on IODP boards and panels. They are generally responsible for broadening national interest and participation in IODP research opportunities within their countries. An individual scientist's PMO is determined by the location of his or her employer or primary academic affiliation, not by citizenship or adjunct status. 

While the focus of each PMO is on their member country or consortium, there are activities and discussions that benefit from broader discussion and coordination. The PMOs meet occasionally to discuss topics that are of interest to more than one member country or consortium. Typically these meetings are held in conjunction with the yearly IODP Forum Meeting, but also occur informally at other times.