The Senate of the DFG extended the Infrastructure Priority Programme "International Ocean Drilling Programme³" (SPP 527) for another six years running from 2025 to 2030.

Scientific objectives of IODP are summarised in the new 2050 Science Framework, which defines seven Strategic Objectives for targeted investigations:

1. Habitability and Life on Earth, 
2. The Oceanic Life Cycle of Tectonic Plates, 
3. Earth’s Climate System, 
4. Feedbacks in the Earth System, 
5. Tipping Points in Earth’s History, 
6. Global Cycles of Energy and Matter, and 
7. Natural Hazards Impacting Society.

The fulfilment of the 2050 Science Framework also requires long-term, multidisciplinary research efforts with multiple expeditions combining several Strategic Objectives in Flagship Initiatives. Compared to former science plans, the new 2050 Science Framework puts a stronger focus on the societal relevance of its Strategic Objectives and is more focused on processes in Earth system components and key interactions among them.

The present call invites proposals for up to three years of project funding starting in 2026. The Priority Programme will publish an open call for proposals each year. 

Over more than 50 years, scientific ocean drilling programmes have significantly shaped our knowledge about our planet and the Earth system, and specifically improved our understanding of climate change, plate tectonics and marine geohazards.

SPP 527 provides opportunities for innovative research on data and cores from ocean drilling programmes, but also for the preparation of future expeditions or the development of drilling tools and software. Proposals submitted under SPP 527 must have a clear link to ongoing, past or future drilling projects.

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