Earth MRI Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026
Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey is accepting proposals for Earth MRI Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements for FY2026, with approximately $5 million available. State geological surveys are eligible to apply for funds to support mine waste inventory, characterization, sampling, and mapping activities.
What changed
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through its Mineral Resources Program (MRP) and the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), is soliciting proposals for Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements for Fiscal Year 2026. Approximately $5 million is available to participating State geological surveys for activities including mine waste inventory and characterization data compilation, acquisition, sampling, and mapping. Travel funds for the annual Earth MRI workshop are also available.
Eligible applicants are limited to State geological surveys, with a provision for universities to apply on behalf of a State geological survey if it is organized under a state university system. Applicants with overdue deliverables or progress reports on any previous or ongoing Earth MRI-funded agreements may be disqualified. All MRP funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026. The deadline for proposal submission is not explicitly stated in this notice, but the document was last updated on March 27, 2026.
What to do next
- Review eligibility requirements for State geological surveys.
- Ensure all prior Earth MRI deliverables and progress reports are up-to-date.
- Prepare and submit proposals for mine waste inventory, characterization, sampling, and mapping activities.
Source document (simplified)
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) Mine Waste Cooperative Agreements FY2026
Agency: Geological Survey
Assistance Listings: 15.073 -- Earth Mapping Resources Initiative
Last Updated: March 27, 2026 View version history on Grants.gov
Description
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
Eligible applicants
Government
- State governments
Additional information
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.
Grantor contact information
Description
Margaret Eastman
margaret_eastman@ios.doi.gov
Documents
Download all
| File name | Description | Last updated |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Final2026EMRIMineWasteNOFOG26AS00102.pdf | Final 2026 EMRI Mine Waste NOFO G26AS00102.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:45 PM UTC |
| AttachmentAsummary.pdf | Attachment Asummary.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:46 PM UTC |
| AttachmentBbudget_sheets.pdf | Attachment Bbudgetsheets.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:46 PM UTC |
| AttachmentCDMP.pdf | Attachment CDMP.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:46 PM UTC |
| AttachmentD-EMRIMineWasteTerms__Conditions.pdf | Attachment D - EMRI Mine Waste Terms & Conditions.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:46 PM UTC |
| AttachmentEDroneGuidance.pdf | Attachment EDroneGuidance.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:46 PM UTC |
| AttachmentF-BiographicalSketch_Form.pdf | Attachment F - Biographical Sketch Form.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:47 PM UTC |
| AttachmentG-CurrentandPendingCommon_Form.pdf | Attachment G - Current and Pending Common Form.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:47 PM UTC |
| AttachmentHUSGSEMRIProtocols_sir20255068.pdf | Attachment HUSGSEMRIProtocols_sir20255068.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:47 PM UTC |
| AttachmentFigures1and2.pdf | Attachment Figures 1 and 2.pdf | Mar 27, 2026 05:48 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
--
Closing: May 4, 2026
Proposals received after the deadline will NOT be considered for an award.The earliest project start dates will be after...
the USGS receives its FY2026 BIL funding, or July 15, 2026, whichever is later. The latest start date is September 30, 2026. All deliverables are due 90 days following end of agreement performance period.Maximum award period is 24 months.
Show full description Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
$5,000,000
Program Funding
14
Expected awards
$3,000
Award Minimum
$356,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
G26AS00102
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No Funding instrument type:
Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
-- Category of Funding Activity:
Natural resources
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
March 27, 2026
Archive date:
June 4, 2026
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