The Asahiko Taira International Scientific Ocean Drilling Research Prize is given annually in recognition of outstanding, transdisciplinary research accomplishment in ocean drilling to an honoree within 15 years of receiving their Ph.D.

The Taira Prize is generously funded by the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Management International and is given in partnership between AGU and the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU). It is presented at the AGU Fall Meeting.

The prize was named after Dr. Asahiko Taira of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Dr. Taira has more than 40 years of experience in geological research and previously served as an associate professor at Kochi University, as well as a professor at the University of Tokyo. His work has been published in more than 200 American and Japanese publications.