Geological Survey · Department of the Interior

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

Done for this year — next round expected · Opportunity G26AS00102 · Assistance Listing 15.073

Deadline: Done for this year · next round expected Mar 27 – May 4, 2027
Award size: $3,000 – $356K
Total available: $5M · about 14 awards
Cost share / match ?: Not required · Work out your budget and match
Who can apply: State government
Where: Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee

This year's round is over

Last round: Mar 27 – May 4, 2026, as the funder posted it.

Next round, expected: Mar 27 – May 4, 2027. The funder hasn't announced it yet. GrantMe projects it from last year's dates, so check the official page as it gets closer.

Use the time now: get grant-ready, read last year's guidelines, and add the expected dates to your calendar.

Before you apply: federal grants require an active SAM.gov registration (Unique Entity ID) and a Grants.gov account. Registration is free but can take weeks, so start now, not when the deadline is close. Grant-ready checklist

How this fits you

Available in Blount County (nationwide program)
No cost share required

Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.

About this grant

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.

Eligibility (from the notice)

Only State geological surveys are eligible to apply to this Notice of Funding Opportunity under the – Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law: 117-58, Sec. 40201). A university may submit a proposal on behalf of a State geological survey if the State geological survey is organized under a state university system. If a State geological survey is overdue on deliverables or progress reports on ANY previous or ongoing Earth MRI-funded agreements at the time of proposal submission, proposal may not be considered for funding.

Should we apply? (2-minute check) Ask a partner for a letter

Writing the need statement? Blount County facts with citations.

About the program (15.073)

Earth Mapping Resources Initiative — Earth MRI

How applications are judged

Scientists within the Geological Survey will review and evaluate all applications consistent with authorized USGS program purposes. Criteria for judging applications will include scientific excellence and relevance to the solution of important problems within the mission of the Geological Survey. Applications will be funded only to the extent permitted by available funds.

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: Geologic mapping of the southeast part of the Coeur d�Alene mining district, IdahoFiscal Year2026: Resolving the Geochronologic and Compositional Data Gap in Northern Washington Intrusion-Related Critical Mineral Systems

Program listing on SAM.gov

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Key facts