Connecting coring campaigns across the region
ANZIC invites researchers, students, and collaborators to participate in a one-day hybrid workshop focused on developing offshore and onshore coring proposals in the Australasian region.
The workshop will take place on Tuesday 7 July in Sydney, alongside the AQUA 2026 Conference (Australasian Quaternary Association). It will bring together scientists to align ideas, build collaborations and develop competitive proposals for international drilling programs.
Across the region, a growing portfolio of stand-alone projects are emerging that aim to address fundamental questions about climate change, tectonics, carbon cycling, volcanism, and human history. Many of these ideas rely on Giant Piston Coring (GPC) offshore and ICDP (International Continental Scientific Drilling Program) lake and coastal drilling on land.
By coordinating these proposals, the community can leverage shared infrastructure, strengthen scientific outcomes and maximise opportunities when vessels and drilling platforms operate in the region.
Scientists have been advised that multiple active proposals are needed to make mobilisation of GPC infrastructure financially viable, highlighting the importance of developing a coordinated portfolio of projects rather than isolated expeditions. Integrating offshore coring with ICDP lake and coastal drilling also creates a powerful land-to-sea strategy, expanding the scientific reach and impact of Australasian drilling initiatives.
This workshop aims to bring the community together to transform ideas into strong proposals, ensuring projects are strategically aligned and well positioned for submission to programs such as IODP³, ICDP, US-SODCO and other international partners.
ANZIC is ideally placed to host the workshop and support this work, leveraging the strength of research across our regional consortium along with our deep international ties and key memberships.
Workshop format
The morning session will include:
- technical talks from Giant Piston Coring operators
- lightning presentations showcasing emerging proposals and ideas
- overview of opportunities across the international and national drilling programs
- discussion on linking projects and science.
These sessions are open to students, early-career researchers, and anyone curious about scientific drilling and ANZIC activities.
Afternoon – Proposal Development
After lunch, participants will move into focused breakout writing sessions where project teams will work together to develop and strengthen proposals for upcoming submission deadlines.
This structure allows the morning to engage the broader community, while the afternoon provides dedicated time for proposal teams to advance their projects collaboratively.
Join us!
This workshop is an opportunity to connect ideas across the region, build momentum around shared scientific goals and position Australasian researchers to lead major coring campaigns.
Where? When?
Tuesday 7 July, 2026. From 8:30am to 5pm, followed by dinner.
At the University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia, or participate online.
Registrations close June 7 for in-person attendance.
Held in conjunction with AQUA 2026 Conference.
Cost
The Workshop is hosted by ANZIC and is Free for participants.
Travel support
ANZIC is offering competitive grants of up to AU$1500 to support travel to attend Coring Australasia. These are open to anyone from an ANZIC member institute attending the workshop in person. The grant is open to any career stage, but students and Early Career Scientist will be given preference. Apply here by April 20.
Together we aim to coordinate proposals, leverage infrastructure and maximise the scientific impact of coring campaigns in the Australasian region.