The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) is an international marine research collaboration that explores Earth’s history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments. IODP depends on facilities funded by three platform providers with financial contributions from five additional partner agencies. Together, these entities represent twenty-three nations whose scientists are selected to staff IODP research expeditions conducted throughout the world’s oceans. Scientist activities are managed by the IODP Program Member Offices. Ocean drilling cooperation started in 1961 with the Project MoHole. It was followed by 3 more programmes (1966-1983: Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP); 1983-2003: Ocean Drilling Program (ODP); 2003-2013: Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)) until the current programme, the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) – 2013-Present.
