Letter from the USAC Chair

September, 2012

Dear Colleagues,

The approval of the National Science Board (NSB) to continue operating the JOIDES Resolution is very welcome news! The decision comes after years of community planning – most recently the energetic and successful Building U.S. Strategies workshop.

NSB’s approval affirms the innovative science and fundamental strengths of the scientific ocean drilling programs. We have fostered teams of scientists, students, engineers, and educators who value a truly collaborative and multidisciplinary approach to understanding Earth systems. Thank you for your hard work and dedication in achieving this milestone for the community and all those who use scientific ocean drilling data, samples and results in their research.

Now is an opportune time to submit your proposals for IODP expeditions. The JOIDES Resolution will start the new program in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. After that, proposal pressure will principally determine the exact circumnavigation track of the ship. The next proposal submission deadline is October 1.

If you are in the early stages of developing your expedition ideas, the U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) has funding available for planning meetings and workshops. A workshop may focus on a specific scientific topic or integrate multiple themes within a geographic region; ideally it will lead to new proposals for future ocean drilling. The next USSSP workshop proposal deadline is also October 1.

Let’s get the International Ocean Discovery Program off to a flying start!

All the best,

Anthony Koppers
Chair, U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling