The Scientific Committee on the Lithosphere (SCL) invites proposals for new projects to be conducted under the auspices of the International Lithosphere Program (ILP). Established in 1980 by the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) at the request of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) and the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), the ILP seeks to elucidate the nature, dynamics, origin and evolution of the lithosphere through international, multidisciplinary research projects and coordinating committees.
ILP projects operate under the umbrella of 4 program themes:
1. Geoscience of Global Change
2. Contemporary Dynamics and Deep Processes
3. Continental Lithosphere
4. Oceanic Lithosphere
ILP will promote and direct research on first-order problems in modern integrated Solid Earth Science centred on the lithosphere.
These include:
Integrated mapping of the lithosphere (compilation of global, crust, lithosphere heat flow, lithosphere strength)
Mantle dynamics (implications for lithosphere dynamics; fate of subducted lithosphere; deformation and evolution of the lithosphere)
Response of the lithosphere to surface processes
Paleoclimate changes (Paleoclimate record of lithosphere changes, surface temperature evolution of the atmosphere)
ILP provides each Project Leader with seed money (about Є4000/year). While further financial support for scientific investigations, conferences and workshops must be sought from national and international funding agencies, experience suggests that ILP initiation and support offers considerable credibility to grant applications. Project duration is 5 years.
Information on current ILP projects can be obtained through the ILP home page (/nju/smu_ilp/ScienceandActivities/list.htm). All ILP projects must have an international character and should address issues of interest to both parent unions (IUGG and IUGS).
The ILP accepts project proposals based on the above themes and other topics. Each proposal should be no longer than four pages and contain information on the project's objectives, duration (maximum 5 years) and expected participants, together with short comments explaining how the project will address the principal goals and program themes of the ILP. The proposed leader and co-leaders of the project should also submit one-page Curriculum Vitae.
Further information on ILP activities and guidelines may be obtained from:
ILP Secretary-General
Prof. Dr. Mian Liu
Traditionally, ILP gave a call for proposals every 5 years. Now ILP also accept proposals in between the official call for proposals. ILP can fund 2 projects every year.
Deadline for proposal submission is February 15. The evaluation results will be announced at the ILP Annual Bussiness Meeting during the EGU.