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NSF Ocean Drilling (PD 14 5720) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the NSF Ocean Drilling opportunity (PD 14 5720)?

PD 14 5720 is an NSF grant opportunity that supports U.S. participation in scientific ocean drilling through the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). It is designed to increase the scientific return from IODP drilling expeditions by supporting certain expedition-linked research activities, especially work tied to newly recovered cores, data, and samples.

2) What is IODP and what is its overall scientific purpose?

The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is a long-running international scientific effort that addresses major questions in marine geoscience using scientific ocean drilling. The program is organized around the IODP Science Plan for 2013-2023, titled "Illuminating Earth's Past, Present, and Future."

3) What drilling platforms does IODP use, and why is it "multi-platform"?

IODP uses a multi-platform approach because different scientific targets require different drilling capabilities. The opportunity describes three main platform types: (1) a non-riser drillship for broadly distributed, high-resolution coring and work on climate/environmental history, crustal processes, and subseafloor observatory objectives; (2) a heavy riser-equipped ship for deeper and more technically demanding drilling into thick sediments and oceanic crust; and (3) mission-specific platforms for settings where standard drillships cannot easily operate, such as high latitudes or very shallow water.

4) Which vessel does the United States provide to IODP?

The United States provides the JOIDES Resolution, described as the primary non-riser drilling vessel, through NSF.

5) Who carries out science operations for the JOIDES Resolution?

Science operations for the JOIDES Resolution are carried out under a cooperative agreement with Texas A&M University, and scientific planning is coordinated through the JOIDES Resolution Facility Board.

6) Which vessel does Japan provide, and who operates it for IODP?

Japan, through MEXT, provides the riser-capable drillship Chikyu. It is operated for IODP by JAMSTEC's Center for Deep Earth Exploration, and scientific planning is overseen by the Chikyu IODP Board.

7) How are mission-specific platforms provided, and who plans those expeditions?

Europe provides mission-specific platforms via ECORD. Scientific planning for those expeditions is handled by the ECORD Facility Board, and the European Science Operator runs the platforms.

8) What is the U.S. Science Support Office (USSSO) and what does it do?

NSF funds a U.S. Science Support Office at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (UC San Diego). The office provides program infrastructure including logistics support for planning bodies, oversight of proposal submission and review processes, management of the Site Survey Data Bank, and maintenance of an online gateway for scientific planning.

9) What kinds of research support does PD 14 5720 emphasize for U.S. researchers?

The notice emphasizes research support tied to drilling expeditions, newly recovered cores, and associated data and samples. It is presented as a way to fund smaller, expedition-linked projects that can be completed during the expedition "moratorium period" to increase the scientific value of the newly recovered materials.

10) What is the "moratorium period" referenced in this opportunity?

The moratorium period generally begins once the co-chief scientists approve the expedition sampling plan and usually ends about one year after the post-expedition sampling party.

11) Why does PD 14 5720 focus on projects during the moratorium period?

The intent is to enable timely, high-value work that can be completed while the moratorium is in effect, and to ensure that results are shared with other expedition participants when finished and then made broadly available after the moratorium, consistent with NSF ocean sciences data and sample sharing policies.

12) What are examples of post-expedition work that PD 14 5720 considers appropriate?

The opportunity explicitly lists examples such as scanning and imaging core sections (including XRF, CT, or similar whole-core/section scanning), making stratigraphic refinements for key intervals that emerged as important during the cruise, and refining shipboard measurements, analyses, or descriptions when the shipboard science party identifies a clear need.

13) Can PD 14 5720 support expedition instrumentation or downhole tools?

Yes, but only in a limited way. PD 14 5720 can provide limited support for critical expedition-specific shipboard or downhole instrumentation, and for data synthesis or reprocessing essential to implementing an expedition.

14) What types of instrumentation are outside the intended scope of PD 14 5720?

The notice states it is not meant for large instrumentation efforts, and it gives CORKs as an example of a large project outside the intended scope.

15) When can instrumentation and expedition-implementation proposals be submitted?

The opportunity states that instrumentation and expedition-implementation proposals can be submitted at any time prior to the expedition.

16) Is pre-expedition site characterization work intended for PD 14 5720?

NSF notes that many pre-expedition activities (such as site characterization) should typically be submitted to the most appropriate standing NSF programs, rather than relying on PD 14 5720.

17) Where should many post-expedition studies be submitted if they are not a fit for PD 14 5720?

The notice indicates that many post-expedition studies should typically be submitted to the most appropriate standing NSF programs, with examples including Ocean Sciences Marine Geology and Geophysics, Earth Sciences, or Polar Programs.

18) Does the opportunity encourage contacting NSF before submitting certain proposals?

Yes. For instrumentation and expedition-implementation proposals, investigators are encouraged to talk with the NSF program directors before submitting to confirm fit.

19) What type of grant program is this from an administrative standpoint?

It is described as an NSF discretionary grant program in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, under CFDA 47.050 (Geosciences).

20) Are proposals accepted on a deadline, or can they be submitted anytime?

Proposals are accepted anytime; the opportunity states there is no fixed deadline.

21) Is cost sharing required for this opportunity?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing requirement.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the announcement.

23) What is the estimated total funding amount listed for the opportunity?

The listing shows an estimated total funding amount of $9,000,000.

24) What is the award floor for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an award floor of $300,000.

25) How does PD 14 5720 relate to the NSF-sponsored U.S. Science Support Program?

The opportunity notes that U.S. scientists may find additional, related support through the NSF-sponsored U.S. Science Support Program, which can fund planning and community activities (such as workshops on drilling themes or regions), support for U.S. participation on expeditions and JOIDES Resolution advisory panels, and educational programs.

26) What kinds of community or planning activities are mentioned as potentially supported through the U.S. Science Support Program?

Examples given include workshops on drilling themes or regions, support for U.S. participation on expeditions and JOIDES Resolution advisory panels, and educational programs.

27) How are data, results, and samples expected to be shared under the moratorium model described?

The notice states the intent is for results to be shared with other expedition participants when finished and then made broadly available after the moratorium, consistent with NSF ocean sciences data and sample sharing policies.