In 1996, the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) was established with the aim to coordinate and facilitate continental drilling projects worldwide. The program provides financial and operational support for research dealing with a variety of scientific objectives. All proposed drill sites are carefully screened for their scientific value and technical viability, and a large number of projects has since been successfully carried out. Since January 1st 2011, the Netherlands has become a full member of ICDP. Membership, financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), has given scientists and scientific consortia from the Netherlands the possibility to participate at the highest level in ICDP as Principal Investigator or co-proponent, but also in strategic decision bodies such as the Executive Committee (EC) and the Assembly of Governors (AOG). While not strictly related to membership, also a Dutch scientist became member of the Science advisory group (SAG) that evaluates the proposals.