Board of Trustees Meeting 16 October 2009 Washington, D.C., U.S.A. Geoscience Development Report Jeff Schuffert, USSSP Director

U.S. Science Support Program (USSSP) Marine Geoscience Leadership Initiative (MGLI) Antarctic Drilling Program (ANDRILL) Geoscience Development

Under 10-year cooperative agreement with NSF Fiscal Year 6 began March 2009 – $6.95M USSSP personnel – 4.3 FTEs USSSP Management Jeff Schuffert Director Emily Powell Program Assoc. Charna Meth Assist. Director

U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling (USAC) 12 members drawn from academic institutions, government, and industry Acts on behalf of U.S. scientific ocean drilling community Fosters effective contributions to and interactions with IODP by U.S. scientific community Fosters an effective and productive USSSP Promotes effective U.S. planning for IODP activities

Salary support to U.S. science party members on 10 expeditions New USAC chair: Liz Screaton, University of Florida Funds awarded for workshop on Subseafloor Ocean Biosphere and Borehole Observatory Science – $40, Distinguished Lectures awarded to 44 institutions, including 3 museums, 4 minority-serving institutions, and 2 women’s colleges; Distinguished Lecturers selected by USAC School of Rock 2009 completed aboard JOIDES Resolution Increased public awareness of Ocean Leadership and USSSP through media communications, publications and brochures, and website updates USSSP Highlights

Synthesize and summarize state of knowledge across major interdisciplinary geoscience themes Identify emerging science fields Develop new research initiatives and recommend scientific implementation strategies Address societal relevance of future drilling Outline fiscal and technological needs INVEST Conference Goals

Supported 121 scientists with $202,500 in funding 41 students and early career scientists 38% have not sailed on an ocean drilling expedition Initial Science Plan themes:  28% Deep Biosphere and Subseafloor  41% Environmental Change  30% Solid Earth INVEST - USSSP Support

Scientific leader will work closely with NSF to establish a strategic plan for next several years on how best to accomplish renewal of ocean drilling Funding for scientific leader will flow through USSSP Scientific Leader of the U.S. Ocean Drilling Community