Programs & Partnerships

:: OCEAN DISCOVERY
Ocean Leadership manages national and international programs that facilitate scientific discovery.

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GRI)

The mission of the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GRI) is to improve society’s ability to understand and mitigate the impacts of hydrocarbon pollution and stressors of the marine environment, with an emphasis on conditions found in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, the knowledge accrued will be applied not only to resolve but also to improve the long-term environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico.

Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI)

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is managed by Ocean Leadership. OOI coordinates the science, technology, education and outreach of an emerging network of science-driven ocean observatories.

The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC)

The Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) represents eleven federal agencies that produce or utilize ocean observations. These systems collect climate and weather data, providing streamlined and integrated information on real-world conditions. As a federal committee promoting collaboration, the IOOC is committed to promoting ocean observations and models that serve the needs of the public.

Census of Marine Life (CoML)

The Census of Marine Life (CoML)is a global research initiative to assess and explain the changing diversity, distribution and abundance of marine species in the world’s oceans. Related activities integral to this research include the design and implementation of standard databases for marine species in collaboration with other international efforts, and the design and implementation of innovative biological sampling techniques for the marine environment. Ocean Leadership provides a home to the International Secretariat as well as the coordinating office of the U.S. Program.

The National Oceanographic
Partnership Program (NOPP)

The National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) is an interagency program established by the U.S. Congress in 1996 to coordinate and strengthen oceanographic efforts through partnerships among federal agencies, academia, industry, and other members of the oceanographic community. Ocean Leadership serves as the NOPP Program Office.

Ocean Drilling Program

The Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) was a 20-year international partnership of scientists and research institutions organized to explore the evolution and structure of the Earth through scientific ocean drilling. Although ODP has concluded, Ocean Leadership is developing the program’s Legacy with its partners, Texas A&M University and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

US Implementing Organization

The US Implementing Organization (USIO) (Ocean Leadership, Texas A&M University, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) leads the efforts for U.S. activities in the (IODP), which is the successor to the Ocean Drilling Program. IODP builds on and expands the explorations of ODP through enhanced collaborations with Japan, China, South Korea and a consortium of European countries.

U.S. Science Support Program

The U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP), associated with the IODP supports involvement of the U.S. scientific community in the program. USSSP provides funding to scientists and students to sail on expeditions, conduct pre-drilling or post-expedition resesearch, and host workshops.