Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- G26AS00102
- Agency
-
US Geological Survey
Department of the Interior
- Applications due
- Award size
- $3,000 to $356,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Natural Resources
- Eligible applicants
-
- State Governments
- Points of contact
-
- Margaret Eastman margaret_eastman@ios.doi.gov (703) 648-7366
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Program is seeking proposals from state geological surveys to support mine waste inventory and characterization activities, including data compilation, field sampling, mapping efforts, and workshop attendance. Applicants must focus on critical minerals as defined in the 2025 USGS List of Critical Minerals and provide deliverables including ArcGIS geodatabases, peer-reviewed interpretive reports, and data management plans compliant with Executive Order 13589. Eligible applicants must be state geological surveys in good standing with no overdue deliverables on previous Earth MRI agreements. Merit review scoring allocates 30 points to technical merit, 25 points to knowledge and experience, 15 points to societal benefits, and 30 points to budget appropriateness, with a minimum score of 50 required for consideration. The proposal submission deadline is May 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EDT, with applications submitted through Grants.gov; all funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026.
Approximately $5 million in total funding is available for an estimated 14 awards ranging from $3,000 to $356,000 per state geological survey. Three independent funding priorities are offered: Priority 1 supports National Mine Waste Inventory compilation up to $50,000 (minimum 100 records); Priority 2 supports Mine Waste Characterization up to $300,000 plus $70,000 in USGS-provided geochemical analyses; and Priority 3 covers Earth MRI Workshop Travel up to $6,000 for up to two participants. Project performance periods run from July 15, 2026 to September 29, 2028 (maximum 24 months), with all deliverables due within 90 days of project completion. Cost sharing is not required, and all project data must be made publicly available.
Synopsis
Proposals are being accepted by the Mineral Resources Program (MRP), Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) for State geological survey Mine Waste activities. Funds are made available to participating State geological surveys for activities focusing on mine waste inventory and characterization data compilation and acquisition, sampling and mapping efforts in support of ongoing Earth MRI efforts. State geological surveys may also apply for travel funds to the annual 2026 Earth MRI workshop. In FY 2026, approximately $5M is available for allocation to USGS Mine Waste cooperative agreements through a competitive proposal process. All MRP funds must be obligated by Sep 30, 2026.
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