Deep-time Digital Earth (DDE) Launches Major International Science Initiative
DDE is proud to announce the launch of the DDE International Science Initiative (DDE-ISI). Supported by substantial funding from China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and other partners for 2025, this initiative represents a significant investment in the global geoscience community and is open to research groups of all nationalities. The DDE-ISI is structured around three strategic pillars: digital infrastructure development, international operations, and global collaboration in open scientific research. Our Townhall meeting will formally introduce the initiative, outline its objectives and eligibility, and provide a dynamic forum for brainstorming and forming research partnerships.
The scientific agenda of the DDE-ISI focuses on six priority themes: (1) Digital Technology (including AI and knowledge graphs), (2) Geological Mapping, (3) Plate Motion and Sea Level, (4) Earth Timeline and History, (5) Earth Modeling, and (6) Sustainable Development.
Funding will be allocated through a tiered framework designed to encourage collaboration among researchers at every career stage, from students to senior scientists, with particular attention to supporting early-career researchers and those from underrepresented regions. All proposals will be peer-reviewed or invited by the independent DDE Science Committee, which comprises internationally recognized experts.
The primary goal of this Townhall is to widely disseminate information about this new opportunity across the geoscience community. Expected outcomes include: (1) elevating the global profile of DDE-ISI, (2) enhancing community understanding of its goals and participation criteria, (3) facilitating direct engagement between researchers and the initiative's organizers, and (4) creating a collaborative environment to incubate pioneering research ideas.
The oral presentations are given in a hybrid format supported by a Zoom meeting featuring on-site and virtual presentations. The button to access the Zoom meeting appears just before the time block starts.