UK International Ocean Drilling Programme moratorium awards
Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) · United Kingdom
Funding to support research associated with International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) expeditions or scientific projects using ocean drilling archives (SPARC). The awards support research conducted during the post-cruise moratorium period or within the period of IODP3 funding for SPARC projects.
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
Funding to support research associated with International Ocean Drilling Programme (IODP3) expeditions or scientific projects using ocean drilling archives (SPARC). The awards support research conducted during the post-cruise moratorium period or within the period of IODP3 funding for SPARC projects.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Research
Business size
Research organisation
Industries
Marine geoscience, earth science and environmental research related to ocean drilling programmes.
Match funding
Not required
Requirements
Researchers invited to be members of science teams for IODP3 drilling, coring or SPARC expeditions and based at eligible UK research organisations. Applications must be led by a project lead based at an eligible UK research organisation. Research supporting the scientific objectives of the International Ocean Drilling Programme, including studies of marine geology, Earth system processes, clima...
Eligible applicants
Researchers invited to be members of science teams for IODP3 drilling, coring or SPARC expeditions and based at eligible UK research organisations.
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
For IODP3 expedition research: up to £62,500 for co-chief scientists, up to £50,000 for early career researchers, and up to £25,000 for senior or PhD scientists. For SPARC research: up to £25,000 for co-chief scientists, up to £18,750 for early career researchers, and up to £12,500 for senior or PhD scientists.
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
NERC funds 80% of the full economic cost of the project.
Payment type
Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
Eligible scope
Research supporting the scientific objectives of the International Ocean Drilling Programme, including studies of marine geology, Earth system processes, climate history, tectonics and natural hazards using expedition data or drilling archives.
Eligible expenses
- Research activities during the post-cruise moratorium period, expedition participation costs including offshore time, travel and subsistence for expeditions and science meetings, and smaller research equipment or consumables under £25,000.
Ineligible costs
- Costs not eligible under UK-IODP moratorium awards funding terms.
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Open (Rolling assessment)
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications are assessed through internal approval by NERC following confirmation from expedition leadership that the proposed research aligns with expedition or SPARC objectives.
Application sections
- Summary, vision, approach, project partners, facilities, data management and sharing, and resources and cost justification.
Application components
Not specified
Decision risks
Applications may be rejected if eligibility requirements are not met or if the proposal does not align with expedition or SPARC research objectives.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
Not specified
Project duration
Up to 24 months
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Not specified
- Participation as part of international science teams for IODP3 expeditions or SPARC projects.
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Research Category","value":"Environmental and earth system research linked to ocean drilling programmes."},{"label":"Subcontractors","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Interview Stage","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Requirements","value":"Applicants must have been invited to participate in IODP3 science teams and must submit applications at least three months before expedition departure or project start."},{"label":"Renewal Rules","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Important Notes","value":"The award supports research during the moratorium period following expeditions or within the duration of SPARC projects and must align with the strategic objectives of the International Ocean Drilling Programme science framework."}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Funding amount
- For IODP3 expedition research: up to £62,500 for co-chief scientists, up to £50,000 for early career researchers, and up to £25,000 for senior or PhD scientists. For SPARC research: up to £25,000 for co-chief scientists, up to £18,750 for early career researchers, and up to £12,500 for senior or PhD scientists.
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Grant (typically 80% FEC in arrears)
- Audience
- Research Innovation
- Industry
- Marine geoscience, earth science and environmental research related to ocean drilling programmes.
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- 12 Jun 2025