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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Summary
Deadline
Rolling
Updated
16 Oct 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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligibility
Applicant types
See eligibility requirements
Industries
Marine geoscience, earth science and research related to ocean drilling programmes
Match funding
No institutional matched funding required beyond the remaining 20% full economic cost contribution.
Eligible applicants
Researchers invited to be members of science teams for IODP3 drilling, coring or SPARC expeditions and based at eligible UK research organisations. (UK Research and Innovation)
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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Total fund available
Not specified
Funding intensity
NERC funds 80% of the full economic cost of the project.
Payment type
Not specified
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. (UK Research and Innovation)
Eligible expenses
- Research activities during the post-cruise moratorium period, participant costs for offshore time and onshore science parties, travel and subsistence for expeditions, sampling events and science meetings, and smaller research equipment or consumables under £25,000.
Ineligible costs
Not specified
Application and risks
Application platform
UKRI Funding Service
Competitiveness
Not specified
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Applications are assessed by an expert panel and require confirmation from the IODP3 co-chief regarding the complementarity and appropriateness of the proposed research. NERC makes awards through internal approval of the proposed use of funds. (UK Research and Innovation)
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 proposed research does not align with expedition or SPARC objectives.
Timeline and partners
Opening date
24 Jun 2025
Project duration
Up to 24 months
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Not specified
Consortium requirements
- Not specified
Additional guidance
Document research last revised 2026-08-10.
International Collaboration Requirement
Participation as part of international science teams for IODP3 expeditions or SPARC projects.
Research Category
Environmental and earth system research linked to ocean drilling programmes
Research Organisation Funding
Funding is provided to eligible UK research organisations under the full economic cost model.
Subcontractors
Not specified
Interview Stage
Not specified
Key Requirements
Applicants must have been invited to participate in IODP3 science teams and must submit applications at least three months before expedition departure or the start of a SPARC project. The proposed research must align with the relevant expedition or SPARC scientific objectives. (UK Research and Innovation)
Important Notes
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. Applications are invitation-only. (UK Research and Innovation)
Application deadline in source document
Open with no fixed closing date
Official source
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. (UK Research and Innovation)
- Funding band
- Not specified
- Funding type
- Grant
- Payment type
- Not specified
- Audience
- See eligibility requirements
- Industry
- Marine geoscience, earth science and research related to ocean drilling programmes
- Last updated
- 16 Oct 2026
- Published
- 13 Jun 2025