In 1983 the US National Science Foundation (NSF) invited the ESF to organise a consortium of smaller European countries interested in participating in the forthcoming Ocean Drilling Program (ODP). In December 1983 the ESF Consortium for Ocean Drilling (ECOD), is established,
The ODP is an international partnership of scientists and research institutions (8 partners including USA; France; Germany; Japan; UK; Australia/Canada/Chinese,Taipei/Korea Consortium for Ocean Drilling; the People's Repubilc of China; and the ESF Consortium for Ocean Drilling*) organised to explore the evolution and structure of Earth.
In fact, the ESF Consortium for Ocean Drilling (ECOD) became a full partner in the international Ocean Drilling Programme (ODP) and also a member of the Joint Oceanographic Institutions Deep Earth Sampling (JOIDES) on the 1st of June 1986.
Scientists from partner countries submit and review drilling proposals via ODP's scientific advisory structure, the Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling (JOIDES).
This structure brings together researchers from universities, industry, and government laboratories worldwide to work side-by-side on board the state-of-the-art research vessel. Students also participate in drilling expeditions, with some leading scientists.

*The ECOD brings together organisations in Belgium, DK, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Italy, NL, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey to participate in this major international research programme. An ESF Management Committee (EMCO) together with an ESF Scientific Committee (ESCO) have been set up.