The Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize (The Taira Prize) is given annually to one early-middle career honoree in recognition of “outstanding transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling.”

Established in 2014, the Taira Prize is a partnership between the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU), and is made possible through the generous donation from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International (IODP-MI). The prize is given in honor of Dr. Asahiko Taira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.

Dr. Taira has an extensive background of more than 40 years in geological research. His areas of focus include tectonics, paleoceanography, and ocean drilling science. He has been published in more than 200 American and Japanese journals, textbooks, and other publications. Before his service with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Dr. Taira was an associate professor at Kochi University and a professor at University of Tokyo. He has been honored for his research numerous times, including the Geological Society of Japan Award and being named a fellow of the Geological Society of America.

The Taira Prize includes:

• $18,000 monetary prize
• Engraved award presented at AGU Fall Meeting during odd presentation year, and at the JpGU Annual Meeting during even presentation year
• Invitation to present a lecture at the AGU Fall Meeting during odd award presentation year, and at the JpGU Annual Meeting during even award presentation year
• Recognition in Eos
• Recognition at the AGU Fall Meeting during award presentation year
• Two complimentary tickets to the Honors Banquet at the AGU Fall Meeting during the award presentation year

Nominations: A nomination package should contain the following: a nomination letter; nominee’s curriculum vitae; nominee’s selected bibliography; and three (3) additional letters of support. Please refer to the AGU Honor's webpage for specific details about the nomination process, nomination eligibility, and requirements.

Nominations are due on March 15, 2018 and can be submitted using the AGU online submission system or by mail.

Please visit the AGU Honors webpage for more information on the Taira Prize.