UK International Ocean Drilling Programme Site Survey

  • Start Date:

  • Deadline:

  • Agency:
    Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), invites eligible researchers to apply for the UK International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP) Site Survey funding, offered by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). This programme supports ship-borne or virtual site survey investigations that provide essential data for the planning and development of proposals for scientific ocean drilling expeditions.

Programme Overview
The UK IODP Site Survey scheme enables researchers to carry out comprehensive site investigations that directly inform the selection and design of scientific ocean drilling projects. Funded activities may include ship-borne surveys at sea or virtual surveys using remote sensing, modeling, or other simulation approaches. By providing high-quality, proposal-driven site data, these surveys play a critical role in enabling successful scientific ocean drilling proposals and advancing our understanding of marine geology, oceanography, and climate history.

Key Details

  • Funder: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

  • Funding Type: Grant

  • Maximum Funding: Up to £500,000 (Full Economic Cost) for ship-borne surveys; up to £187,500 (FEC) for virtual surveys, with NERC covering 80% of FEC

  • Project Duration: Up to 24 months

  • Submission Deadline: 14 July 2026, 4:00 PM UK time

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for NERC funding

  • Applicants must hold a role that meets NERC’s individual eligibility criteria

  • The programme is open to researchers across disciplines relevant to ocean drilling, including geology, geophysics, oceanography, and environmental sciences

Funding Scope

The grant supports:

  • Ship-borne site surveys to collect oceanographic, geological, or geophysical data

  • Virtual site surveys using remote sensing, modeling, or simulation techniques

  • Activities that directly support the preparation of proposals for scientific ocean drilling expeditions

  • Collaborative and interdisciplinary investigations that enhance scientific understanding and expedition planning

How to Apply
Applicants should carefully review the full guidelines and submit their proposals via:
https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/uk-international-ocean-drilling-programme-site-survey/

This funding opportunity provides researchers with the resources to conduct essential site surveys that strengthen the scientific rationale and feasibility of future ocean drilling expeditions, contributing to advances in marine science and our understanding of Earth’s oceans and climate history.