Ocean Drilling Legacy Assets Projects (LEAPs) are a new type of project for international and interdisciplinary collaborations under the umbrella of the scientific ocean drilling programs. They are standalone research endeavors that: (1) address at least one aspect of the 2050 Science Framework, and (2) have objectives that maximize the return on the legacy assets of current and past scientific ocean drilling programs without new drilling. Examples of legacy assets are cores, samples, data, open boreholes, and downhole observatories from current and past scientific ocean drilling programs.

Avenues of LEAP research could include, for example, the production of new data from samples, integration of data across multiple expeditions and/or multiple boreholes, incorporation of legacy borehole data with new data, application of a new method or technology that was not available when the legacy assets were collected, or measurements in legacy drillholes to address new problems in innovative and creative ways. 

LEAPs do not replace other research mechanisms (e.g., individual proposals to funding agencies for sample requests or data analysis); instead, they are intended to provide a new avenue to facilitate collaboration at scales larger than conventional single or multi-proponent research projects. The definition for LEAPs is deliberately broad to provide flexibility for new approaches, integrations, and technology uses that foster coordinated multidisciplinary and international research efforts. LEAPs also provide an opportunity through which researchers can increase the visibility of their research and results. Additional submission information for proposals. 

Please note that all IODP LEAPs proposals deadlines have passed.

Please see the LEAPs Proposal Guidelines for more information on the proposal submission process and requirements. Questions should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..