Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), through the Office of Trust Services and its Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD), is offering the Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) grant opportunity to support federally recognized Tribal entities in the identification, assessment, and advancement of energy and mineral resources located on Indian land. The program is authorized under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982. The grant is intended to assist Tribes and Tribal Energy Development Organizations (TEDOs) in conducting studies and pre-development activities that support long-term energy and mineral development strategies. DEMD administers the competitive program and evaluates applications based on project readiness, economic viability, technical quality, and Tribal commitment to project completion. The EMDP grant supports projects involving a wide range of energy and mineral resources, including biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectric generation, district heating, oil, natural gas, helium, coal, sand and gravel, precious minerals, and base minerals such as copper and zinc. Eligible activities include resource inventories and assessments, feasibility studies, market analyses, economic evaluations, baseline studies, and other pre-development work necessary to advance energy or mineral projects. The grant emphasizes projects that can demonstrate a pathway toward development and financing. Alternative energy proposals may receive an additional level of review in accordance with Department of the Interior procedures. Projects must be designed to be completed within a one-year period of performance. The program includes several restrictions regarding allowable expenditures. Grant funds cannot be used for organizational development activities already covered under the Tribal Energy Development Capacity grant, salaries unrelated to the approved scope of work, equipment purchases for development activities, commercial well drilling, litigation costs, academic research, development of unproven technologies, general education coursework, or studies intended solely to satisfy National Environmental Policy Act requirements. Leasing certain equipment for pre-development work may be permissible. The program also requires all indirect cost requests to comply with 2 CFR Part 200 and include a current negotiated indirect cost agreement. The Bureau specifically notes that funding is contingent upon congressional appropriations and may not be available in future years. Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal Energy Development Organizations proposing projects on Indian land as defined under federal law. Each application must include a Tribal resolution issued during the same fiscal year as the application that authorizes submission of the proposal and identifies the Tribal lead point of contact. In limited cases, Tribes with existing policies authorizing grant applications without resolutions may submit alternative documentation demonstrating Tribal commitment. Applicants must maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier and an Automated Standard Application for Payment account enrolled with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Tribes under BIA sanction level 2 or higher due to Single Audit Act noncompliance are ineligible for funding. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than June 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Required components include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A Budget Information form, a detailed budget narrative, project abstract summary, project narrative, Tribal resolution or equivalent authorization documentation, and key contact information. The project narrative should address Tribal goals, project status, economic and financial viability, scope of work, project deliverables, and qualifications of key personnel. The project abstract must identify the designated Tribal representative, funding request amount, UEI number, ASAP enrollment information, and project location details. Applicants are encouraged to contact DEMD staff at least three weeks before the deadline for technical assistance related to application requirements. Applications undergo an initial eligibility and completeness review followed by a merit review conducted by DEMD subject matter experts and partner federal reviewers. Proposals are scored on a 100-point scale using five evaluation criteria: Tribal Executive Summary, Over-Arching Project Status and Tribal Commitment, Economic or Financial Impact Viability, Scope of Work and Project Deliverables, and Budget. Projects demonstrating stronger advancement toward financing or development, clearly defined economic benefits, and technically sound methodologies receive higher scores. Written notices are provided to both successful and unsuccessful applicants after review completion. Award amounts range from $10,000 to $2,500,000, and DEMD anticipates making between 10 and 30 awards. There is no matching requirement for this opportunity. Award recipients must comply with reporting requirements through GrantSolutions, including periodic progress reports, financial reports, and final technical deliverables submitted within 120 days of project completion. The opportunity appears to be an annual federal funding program based on prior and current solicitations. Questions regarding the program may be directed to the Division of Energy and Mineral Development at emdpgrants@bia.gov or through the DEMD office in Lakewood, Colorado.

Projects that demonstrate stronger advancement toward financing or development score higher during review; clearly align budget line items with scope of work tasks and deliverables; provide detailed economic viability analysis and realistic project outcomes; include qualified technical personnel and clearly documented methodologies; ensure all mandatory forms and Tribal authorization documents are complete before submission