1. The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) is an international scientific research program that investigates important questions in the study of the Earth through ocean sediment sampling and monitoring.

2. Science Plans for IODP will be formulated and developed by the international scientific ocean drilling community through the IODP science advisory structure.

3. IODP investigations will be based on unsolicited proposals that address objectives of the IODP Science Plan or other outstanding new research ideas.

4. The IODP Science Advisory Structure, composed of internationally representative committees, panels and working groups, will provide science advice to IODP management through a planning committee, and policy advice through the executive authority.

5. The executive authority of  the Science Advisory Structure will be the lead policymaking body of IODP and will establish science committees and panels as needed.

6. All panels and working groups providing scientific and technical advice to IODP will report through a lead science planning committee to the executive authority.

7. The lead science planning committee will provide scientific and technical advice to IODP, guidance to proponents, and evaluation of proposals to conduct future drilling projects. The lead science planning committee may recommend policy changes to the executive authority.

8. The IODP science advisory structure will evaluate proposals for scientific ocean drilling in a fair and unbiased manner that avoids conflicts of interests.

9. The IODP scientific advisory structure will provide advice to IODP management regarding scientific priorities of proposed drilling and of technical needs.

10. IODP policies and procedures and the recommendations of the IODP advisory panels and committees will be openly available to the public.

11. IODP scientific ocean drilling projects will be undertaken by teams of scientists selected by IODP. IODP management and platform operators, in consultation with the science advisory structure, will make decisions concerning the scheduling and staffing of drilling projects.

12. IODP will provide open access to all samples and data collected and produced during a drilling project once the members of the scientific party have had a reasonable opportunity to complete their initial studies.
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Explore the  Initial Science Plan (3.12 MB)

Annual Program Plan
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