SEP Meeting Registration
Helsinki, Finland, and Zoom; June 18-19, 2024

JRFB Meeting Registration
Honolulu, HI, and Zoom; May 8-9, 2024

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. 

Important Dates:

  • Informational Webinars: 
    • February 15 at 10:00 EST (February 15 at 15:00 UTC)
    • February 15 at 22:00 EST (February 16 at 03:00 UTC)
  • Proposal Submissions Open in the IODP Proposal Database (PDB): February 15, 2024
  • Proposal Submission Deadline: April 1, 2024, 23:59 UTC

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.

Next LEAP Submission Deadline: April 1, 2024, 23:59 UTC

The Proposal Database System (PDB) is the web-based interface for completing and submitting IODP proposals, and it will open for LEAP proposals submissions on October 4, 2023. PDB offers specific guidance and many proposal components are created interactively; proponents are advised to begin working with PDB as soon as a proposal is planned. Please note that simultaneous users are not 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 LEAPs Proposal Submission Guidelines.

A Call for LEAP Proposals is usually published at least two months in advance of the deadline. Read the Call for LEAP Proposals carefully before proceeding, as details might have changed from previous Calls. For Preliminary Proposals, it is strongly recommended that proponents contact the appropriate IODP Curator(s), data manager, or other legacy asset manager before proposal submission in order to discuss sampling needs and data availability. This step is required for Full Proposals. The IODP Proposal Manager has sole authority to accept proposals.

To submit a LEAP proposal:

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. While not required, if you are considering submitting a LEAP proposal, it would be helpful to let This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. know by October 1, 2023.