Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), under the Department of the Interior, is accepting proposals for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements. This funding opportunity supports mine waste inventory and characterization projects led by state geological surveys. The primary objective is to compile data and conduct fieldwork to identify, characterize, and assess critical mineral resources within mine waste materials across the United States. This initiative aligns with directives from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and executive orders on supply chain security for critical minerals, aiming to bolster national resource knowledge and inform environmental and economic strategies. Funding under this initiative is organized into three distinct priorities. Priority 1 focuses on developing a comprehensive geodatabase of mine waste sites within each state. States can request up to $50,000 to compile and input geospatial and geological data into an ArcGIS geodatabase following schemas provided by USGS. Only publicly available data sources are allowed, and a minimum of 100 mine waste features must be documented to qualify for full funding. No fieldwork or sampling is permitted under this priority. USGS provides training and feedback on data formatting and quality assurance for states populating the database. Priority 2 supports physical characterization of mine waste materials and includes field-based sampling, mapping, and compositional analyses. States may request up to $300,000 in funding, with additional support (up to $70,000) from USGS for sample analyses such as geochemistry, mineralogy, and water chemistry. States are responsible for all equipment, field access, and adherence to established USGS protocols for sampling and documentation. Deliverables include geospatial datasets, analytical results, volume/resource estimates, and interpretive reports. Only sites where legal and safe access is confirmed are eligible, and proposals must identify specific mineral systems and associated critical commodities expected at each site. Priority 3 provides travel support of up to $6,000 per state to attend the annual Earth MRI workshop held in September 2026 at USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia. Participation in this workshop allows state representatives to collaborate with federal and other state counterparts to define national data priorities and mine waste focus areas. Priority 3 requests are non-competitive and are granted if travel is properly estimated and included in the proposal budget. Eligibility is restricted to state geological surveys, or universities that house such surveys within their organizational structure. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov and comply with federal registration requirements, including SAM.gov and UEI registration. The application package includes mandatory forms (SF-424, SF-424A/B, project narrative, budget sheets, and data management plan). All proposals must be submitted electronically no later than May 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Late submissions are not accepted. The earliest start date is July 15, 2026, with a latest allowable start by September 30, 2026. Maximum project duration is 24 months, and all deliverables are due within 90 days after the end of the performance period. Proposals will be reviewed on the basis of technical merit, societal benefit, team expertise, and budget appropriateness. For Priorities 1 and 2, awards are competitively scored by a seven-member peer review panel. A minimum score of 50 is required for funding consideration. Notifications of award will be issued following the close of the review process. Awardees must provide semiannual progress reports, final technical deliverables, and data that meet public access requirements as outlined by USGS policy. Data sharing, transparency, and compliance with federal geospatial and scientific integrity standards are integral to successful project execution.

Clearly state how project meets FY2026 priorities; Use USGS data schemas; Begin registrations early for SAM.gov and Grants.gov