Dear NSF: Scientific Ocean Drilling Is Necessary for Climate Studies, Natural Hazards Research, and Inspiring Future Scientists

Abstract

This letter, written by two early career researchers, highlights their urgent concerns regarding the future of scientific ocean drilling (SciOD) research following the retirement of the JOIDES Resolution (JR) at the end of the 2024 fiscal year. In the letter, addressed to the director of NSF‐OCE and to key leaders in determining U.S. scientific priorities, we outline the importance of scientific ocean drilling, both historically and for future scientific advances. We urge the NSF to make immediate, concrete commitments to fund, develop, and construct a new riserless drilling vessel dedicated to SciOD. We also highlight the importance of supporting existing and future SciOD researchers and infrastructure, including the urgent need to create programs designed to support early career researchers in our field. The letter has been signed by nearly three hundred scientists, more than two hundred of which are U.S.‐based researchers and more than half of which are early career researchers.