Opportunity Information: Apply for G26AS00102
Apply for G26AS00102
- The Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.073.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-03-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $356,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 14 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G26AS00102) is a USGS Geological Survey discretionary funding announcement under the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) that will support state-level work on mine waste data and field efforts tied to ongoing Earth MRI priorities. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning awardees should expect active involvement and coordination with USGS during the period of performance rather than a hands-off grant arrangement. The program is rooted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58, Section 40201), and it is specifically aimed at advancing mine waste inventory and characterization information that can be used to improve understanding of resources, environmental considerations, and related mapping products.
The core purpose of the funding is to strengthen and expand mine waste inventory and characterization activities led by State geological surveys. Supported work includes compiling and acquiring mine waste inventory and characterization datasets, conducting sampling campaigns, and performing mapping and related documentation that contribute directly to Earth MRI mine waste efforts. In practical terms, proposals can focus on organizing and standardizing existing mine waste records, filling data gaps through new sampling or field verification, generating geospatial layers and maps, and producing defensible characterization outputs that can be integrated into broader Earth MRI workflows. The opportunity also allows State geological surveys to request travel support to attend the annual 2026 Earth MRI workshop, which is intended to improve coordination, consistency, and information-sharing across participating states and the USGS.
Total funding available for FY2026 is described as approximately $5 million, to be distributed through a competitive proposal process for USGS Mine Waste cooperative agreements. The notice indicates an expected number of awards of about 14, with an award ceiling listed at $356,000 per award. These figures suggest awards will likely be moderate in size and structured to fund discrete, well-scoped projects that produce concrete deliverables (datasets, maps, sampling results, and documentation) within the program timelines. A key timing constraint is that all MRP funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026, which effectively sets the outer boundary for award obligation and will influence project schedules, procurement planning, and field season planning.
Eligibility is tightly limited. Only State geological surveys are eligible applicants (Eligible Applicants: State governments). A university can submit a proposal only when it is doing so on behalf of a State geological survey that is organized under a state university system, which is a common administrative arrangement in some states. A major compliance and performance condition is also stated plainly: if a State geological survey is overdue on deliverables or progress reports for any previous or ongoing Earth MRI-funded agreements at the time it submits a new proposal, the proposal may not be considered for funding. That effectively makes timely reporting and closeout performance a gating requirement, not just an administrative detail.
Key administrative details included in the opportunity listing are as follows: the CFDA number is 15.073, the activity category is Natural Resources, the agency is the USGS (Geological Survey), and the opportunity was created on March 27, 2026. The original closing date for proposal submission is May 4, 2026. Taken together, the announcement is essentially a targeted FY2026 competitive call for State geological surveys to deliver mine waste inventory, characterization, sampling, and mapping products that feed into Earth MRI objectives, with clear eligibility limits, a defined funding envelope, and a strong emphasis on being current with prior Earth MRI reporting and deliverables.
Earth MRI Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026 (G26AS00102) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026 opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G26AS00102), a discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Mineral Resources Program (MRP). It supports state-level mine waste data and field efforts that align with ongoing Earth MRI priorities.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The core purpose is to strengthen and expand mine waste inventory and characterization activities led by State geological surveys. The aim is to advance mine waste inventory and characterization information that can be used to improve understanding of resources, environmental considerations, and related mapping products tied to Earth MRI mine waste efforts.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This means awardees should expect active involvement and coordination with USGS during the period of performance rather than a hands-off grant arrangement.
Which USGS program is offering this funding?
The opportunity is offered by the USGS Mineral Resources Program (MRP) and is associated with Earth MRI mine waste priorities.
What law or authority is this opportunity based on?
The program is rooted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58, Section 40201).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to State geological surveys (Eligible Applicants: State governments). A university may submit a proposal only when doing so on behalf of a State geological survey that is organized under a state university system.
Can a university apply directly?
A university can submit a proposal only if it is submitting on behalf of a State geological survey that is organized under a state university system. The eligible applicant in practical terms is still the State geological survey.
What kinds of projects and activities can be supported?
Supported work includes mine waste inventory and characterization activities such as:
- Compiling and acquiring mine waste inventory and characterization datasets
- Organizing and standardizing existing mine waste records
- Filling data gaps through new sampling or field verification
- Conducting sampling campaigns
- Producing geospatial layers, maps, and related documentation
- Generating defensible characterization outputs that can be integrated into broader Earth MRI workflows
Are field sampling and field verification allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. The announcement specifically includes conducting sampling campaigns and filling data gaps through new sampling or field verification as supported work.
Are mapping and geospatial deliverables part of the expected work?
Yes. Proposals may include generating geospatial layers and maps, and producing mapping and related documentation that contribute directly to Earth MRI mine waste efforts.
Does this opportunity support work using existing mine waste records?
Yes. Proposals can focus on organizing and standardizing existing mine waste records and compiling/acquiring existing inventory and characterization datasets.
What deliverables are expected from funded projects?
While exact deliverables may vary by project scope, the announcement emphasizes producing concrete outputs such as datasets, maps, sampling results, and documentation that contribute directly to Earth MRI mine waste efforts and can be integrated into Earth MRI workflows.
Is travel to the Earth MRI workshop allowed?
Yes. State geological surveys may request travel support to attend the annual 2026 Earth MRI workshop, which is intended to improve coordination, consistency, and information-sharing across participating states and the USGS.
How much total funding is available for FY2026?
Total funding available for FY2026 is described as approximately $5 million, to be distributed through a competitive proposal process for USGS Mine Waste cooperative agreements.
How many awards does USGS expect to make?
The announcement indicates an expected number of awards of about 14.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed at $356,000 per award.
How competitive is the funding?
The notice describes a competitive proposal process, with approximately $5 million available and an expected 14 awards. This suggests a limited number of awards relative to potential applicants and emphasizes the need for well-scoped proposals with clear deliverables tied to Earth MRI priorities.
What is a key compliance condition that could affect proposal eligibility?
If a State geological survey is overdue on deliverables or progress reports for any previous or ongoing Earth MRI-funded agreements at the time it submits a new proposal, the proposal may not be considered for funding. This makes timely reporting and deliverable completion a gating requirement.
What is the deadline to submit a proposal?
The original closing date for proposal submission is May 4, 2026.
When was this opportunity created/posted?
The opportunity was created on March 27, 2026.
What is the latest date by which funds must be obligated?
All MRP funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026. This serves as an outer boundary for award obligation and can influence project schedules, procurement planning, and field season planning.
How does the September 30, 2026 obligation deadline affect project planning?
Because funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026, applicants should plan scopes and schedules accordingly, including procurement lead times and field season timing, to ensure the award can be obligated within the required window.
What agency is administering this opportunity?
The administering agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), identified as "Geological Survey" in the opportunity listing.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 15.073.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is Natural Resources.
How does this opportunity relate to Earth MRI priorities?
Projects must be tied to ongoing Earth MRI priorities and contribute directly to Earth MRI mine waste efforts, including improving the mine waste inventory and characterization information that supports Earth MRI mapping products and related outputs.
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