The scientific work of the IUGS is carried out primarily by Commissions, Task Groups, Initiatives, and Joint Programs. The number of such enterprises is limited by the funding available to provide adequate support to enable these bodies to achieve significant results within the time frames specified for their respective endeavours, and their duration is staged so as to create regular opportunities to redirect funds to new Earth-science enterprises.
Commissions are established for broad scientific undertakings, the nature of which clearly requires long-term (~8-12 years) attention and funding. Task Groups are formal, project oriented activities with a prescribed structure under the Executive Committee, pursuing limited objectives of shorter duration, typically are funded for no more than 4 years, and may in some cases be elevated to Commission status. Initiatives are informal, project-oriented activities organized under the Executive Committee with no prescribed structure, considerable freedom of operation, and no time limit on their duration. Initiatives may in some cases be elevated to Task Groups. Joint Programs are scientific enterprises, principally of long duration, carried out in collaboration with one or more other organizations that share with the IUGS the responsibility for funding and(or) managing the activity. All funded entities annually submit to the Executive Committee a report summarizing their activities and accomplishments.
Commissions
Geoscience Education, Training & Technology Transfer (COGE)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Geoscience for Environmental Management (GEM)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
History of Geological Sciences (INHIGEO)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Management and Applications of Geoscience Information (CGI)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Stratigraphy (ICS)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Tectonics and Structural Geology (TECTASK)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Joint Programs
International Geoscience Programme (IGCP)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Scientific Committee on the Lithosphere (ILP)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Geological Applications of Remote Sensing (GARS)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
International Geological Congress (IGC)
Isotopes and Geochronogy (TGIG)
2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Task Groups
Global Geochemical Baselines (TGGB) - 2008 Annual Report [PDF]
Global Geoscience Workforce
Initiatives
International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE)
Access the IUGS calendar >
to view lists of events and activities of relevance to geoscientists.
