Proposal Types

icdp Proposal Types

...for successful science delivery

ICDP provides a strategy for successful science delivery by funding workshops and co-funding drilling operations of different scales world-wide. Therefore, different proposal types with different requirements at certain stages apply.

Proposal submission deadline is January 15. For addendum proposals and L2S-proposals the submission deadline varies (see details below).

Proposal Types

Preliminary Proposal

Project ideas must first be submitted as so-called Pre-Proposal to receive a preliminary evaluation from ICDP by the Science Advisory Group SAG. Requirements for a Pre-Proposal are much lower than for a Workshop Proposal (check out our detailed guidelines). In case your idea fully meets all ICDP criteria you will receive valuable hints in a detailed assessment how to further develop it.

The submission of a Pre-Proposal and its positive evaluation by the SAG is a prerequisite for submission of a Workshop Proposal. Proponents should note that only projects of global scientific significance and with demonstrated international participation (or the prospect thereof) will be considered by ICDP and that first-order hypotheses or major scientific objectives that can be addressed by the proposed drilling must be clearly outlined on the proposal cover sheet.

Submission of a Workshop Proposal without prior submission of a Pre-Proposal is only possible in justified exceptional cases and requires the prior approval of the SAG chairs. Any request to do so must be received by the SAG Chairs no later than October 15, three months prior to the ICDP submission deadline.

Please note that only one submission of a revised preliminary proposal is permitted.

Submission deadline: January 15. Submitting proposals at least two months prior to January 15 is recommended, as it allows for
a pre-screening process to help prevent misunderstandings and potential delays.

Proposal Writing Guidelines: PDF

Submit to: proposal.submission@icdp-online.org

Workshop Proposal

A workshop proposal serves to acquire funding from ICDP to hold a workshop with an international science team that covers different fields of expertise to prepare a full proposal. An international workshop with open seats for interested scientists of different career levels is a prerequisite for submitting a full proposal.

Please note that the submission of a pre-proposal and its positive evaluation by the SAG is a prerequisite for submission of a workshop proposal. Submission of a workshop proposal without prior submission of a pre-proposal is only possible in justified exceptional cases and requires the prior approval of the SAG chairs. Any request to do so must be received by the SAG Chairs no later than October 15, three months prior to the ICDP submission deadline.

Submission deadline: January 15

Proposal Writing Guidelines: PDF

Submit to: proposal.submission@icdp-online.org

Full Proposal

A mature full proposal is submitted to ICDP for funding of drilling operations and related action. The requirements are quite high (see guidelines). According to our comingled funding principle matching funds will be needed and the plan how to get them is an aspect of the proposal.

Submission deadline: January 15

Proposal Writing Guidelines: PDF

Submit to: proposal.submission@icdp-online.org

Addendum Proposal

ICDP panels may request proponents to submit an Addendum Proposal to a Workshop or a Full Proposal if only minor aspects need clarification. Therfore each aspect addressed in the assessment shall be thoroughly addressed in a cover letter (see guidelines). The addendum submission deadline is individual for each case and will be comunicated to the lead PI by the ICDP office.

Submission deadline: PIs will be individually informed in written form by the ICDP office

Proposal Writing Guidelines: PDF

Submit to: proposal.submission@icdp-online.org

Fast-Track Full Proposal (New!)

ICDP offers a fast-track process for full proposals, bypassing the pre-proposal and workshop proposal steps if drilling projects with research needs offer unique windows of opportunity that require timely funding. ICDP-funded fast-track projects must enable scientists to understand underlying processes of overarching importance and go well beyond answering a specific, local question or addressing only a narrow aspect of a research project. As with all ICDP projects, data and samples gained in fast-track projects must be made fully available to the ICDP community.

Submission of a fast-track full proposal is an exception that requires prior approval by the OSG and the Executive Director, in close consultation with SAG. PIs are requested to first send a letter of intent to ICDP Program Office and await ICDP’s invitation to submit a fast-track full proposal. The letter of intent can be submitted at any time and should include a summary of the scientific objectives and relevance to ICDP, as well as a clear explanation of the need for timely funding from ICDP. Please allow six weeks for ICDP to process your fast-track proposal request. Accordingly, the letter of intent has to be provided at least by early November to meet the January 15 deadline of the following year, preferably sooner.

PIs will be invited to submit a Fast-Track Full proposal by the annual January 15 deadline if their fast-track proposal request has been evaluated positively. A decision on the full proposal will be communicated within six months.

Submission deadline: January 15

Proposal Writing Guidelines: PDF

Submit to: proposal.submission@icdp-online.org

Joint ICDP-IODP Land-to-Sea approach

A L2S proposal is an option for projects that require scientific drilling at both onshore and offshore sites or at shallow marine sites for full achievement of the scientific objectives. It is jointly implemented by the ICDP and the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP). Due to its complexity a L2S proposal has to follow strong guidelines that differ from the normal ICDP and IODP proposal guidelines (see L2S guidelines).