Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant

The Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant is administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs within the U.S. Department of the Interior through its Division of Energy and Mineral Development. This program is authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and is designed to support federally recognized Tribal entities in advancing the development of energy and mineral resources on Indian land. The initiative reflects a federal commitment to strengthening Tribal sovereignty and economic self-determination by enabling Tribes to assess and develop their natural resources responsibly and strategically. The primary purpose of the EMDP grant is to fund projects that identify, evaluate, and assess energy or mineral resources located on Indian land. Eligible projects include resource inventories, feasibility studies, economic analyses, and other pre-development activities necessary to determine the viability of resource extraction or energy generation. The program supports a wide range of resource types, including biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, oil, natural gas, and various minerals. Projects must be clearly aligned with these objectives and demonstrate how the proposed work contributes to resource development planning. Funding under this opportunity is provided on a discretionary basis with an estimated total program funding of 7,400,000 dollars. Individual awards range from a minimum of 10,000 dollars to a maximum of 2,500,000 dollars. Approximately 20 awards are expected. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The period of performance for funded projects is limited to one year, and funds must be used strictly for allowable pre-development activities. Certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including equipment purchases, commercial drilling operations, academic research, and general education activities. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Energy Development Organizations. All projects must take place on Indian land as defined by federal statute. Applicants must submit a Tribal resolution or equivalent documentation demonstrating commitment to the project and compliance with grant requirements. Additionally, applicants must maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier and enrollment in the Automated Standard Application for Payment system. Federal agencies are not permitted to receive funds or perform work under this program. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by June 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include standard federal forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A, a budget narrative, project abstract, project narrative, and supporting attachments including a Tribal resolution and key contact information. The project narrative should outline the scope of work, economic viability, project status, and key personnel qualifications. Incomplete applications or those submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Proposals undergo a competitive review process conducted by subject matter experts within the Division of Energy and Mineral Development. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including project readiness, economic impact, quality of the scope of work, clarity of the executive summary, and alignment between budget and project activities. Awards are made to the highest scoring proposals, and prior grant performance may also be considered. Applicants are notified in writing of selection decisions. Grant recipients are required to comply with federal reporting and financial management requirements. Progress and financial reports must be submitted periodically through GrantSolutions, with final reports due within 120 days of project completion. Data generated through funded projects must be made available to the federal government and may be used for public purposes. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact program staff via the provided email address prior to the application deadline.

Align scope of work closely with economic viability and clearly justify budget line items; prioritize projects closer to development stage; ensure completeness of all required forms