Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (15.073)
Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Assistance Listing 15.073) is run by the U.S. Geological Survey, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $39.0 million in 125 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $311,747 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $299,028. Half of the 125 awards fell between $53,568 and $330,000, and they ranged from $2,284 to $4.3 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$39.0 million
- Grant awards125
- Typical award$299,028
- Awarded in FY 2025$3.1 million
- Size rank1,100 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreement
Key findings
- It is the 1100th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 90% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 35 states and territories.
What the program funds
The primary purpose of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative is to facilitate new geological and geochemical mapping activities, new geophysical data collection (and obtain associated datasets), and new mine waste research and data gathering/acquisition as part of a larger initiative to collect geophysical, geologic, and topographic data in areas of critical mineral potential across the Nation. This effort supports Executive Order 13817 ("A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals"). In order to respond to this Executive Order, the US Geological Survey (USGS) established this initiative to support advanced mapping of the geologic resources of the Nation - with the USGS designated as the lead Federal agency for geologic map data. Additionally, as of FY2022, Earth MRI is now authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117-58, signed on 11/15/21) - directing the USGS to accelerate efforts to carry out fundamental integrated topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical mapping activities – as well as mine waste research and data gathering - all focused on the assessment of critical minerals. This advanced geologic mapping and airborne geophysics has the potential to significantly close the gap in the essential data needed to enhance economic development and technological innovation, while advancing our understanding of the fundamental ways that geology informs public policy and every aspect of daily life.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
State geological surveys and related state government agencies may make application for support by a named principal investigator. Due to limited availability of funds to support new external projects, consultation with USGS is strongly recommended prior to submission of applications.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Applications must be for scientific research projects which are within the Survey's area of responsibility. The majority of funds are used to support research that will enhance existing, long-term collaborative projects. Funds can be used for attendance at national conferences for the dissemination of project results. Further, conferences and symposia will be supported only if it is clear that equivalent results cannot be obtained at regular meetings of professional societies. Office furniture, office equipment, and foreign travel are not normally considered for support. Funds are set aside for discretionary activities.
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.
Deadlines
Applications requested through the formal USGS Earth MRI Solicitation for geologic/geochemical mapping for FY2025 are accepted on a rolling basis from July 2025 through December 2025. Mine waste applications were accepted March-April 2025. Applications requested through the formal USGS Earth MRI Solicitation for geologic/geochemical mapping for FY2026 will be accepted on a rolling basis from May 2026 through December 2026. Mine waste applications will tentatively be accepted March – April 2026.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Past Fiscal Year (2024): Geologic Mapping/Geochemical Mapping/Geophysics: Range: $211,353 - $4,250,000; Average: $574,940 Mine Waste: Range: $2,283-$353,894; Average: $98,527 Current Fiscal Year (2025): Geologic Mapping/Geochemical Mapping/Geophysics: Range: $330,000 - $4,250,000; Average: $545,320 Mine Waste: Range: $3,868 - $355,615; Average: $123,839 Budget Fiscal Year (2026): Earth MRI solicitation process scheduled to begin early 2026; given that IIJA funding will not be available in FY2026, it is possible that award ranges and averages for FY2026 will be lower relative to FY2025 awards.
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
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (15.073) awarded $39.0 million across 125 grant awards, an average of $311,747 per award.
Who usually wins
State and local governments received 60% of the money, colleges and universities 39%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 64 | $23.5 million | 60% |
| Colleges and universities | 60 | $15.2 million | 39% |
| Other | 1 | $288,750 | 0.7% |
By state
12 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 4 | $11.1 million |
| New Mexico | 7 | $2.6 million |
| Illinois | 6 | $2.5 million |
| Missouri | 6 | $1.8 million |
| Montana | 6 | $1.6 million |
| Idaho | 6 | $1.6 million |
| Nevada | 5 | $1.4 million |
| Arizona | 5 | $1.4 million |
| Kansas | 2 | $1.3 million |
| Oregon | 5 | $1.1 million |
| North Carolina | 4 | $1.0 million |
| Kentucky | 4 | $1.0 million |
| Utah | 4 | $990,423 |
| Michigan | 5 | $986,481 |
| Oklahoma | 5 | $985,796 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | $886,429 |
| Washington | 4 | $878,987 |
| South Carolina | 4 | $638,000 |
| New York | 2 | $625,014 |
| Texas | 4 | $585,700 |
| Iowa | 4 | $530,300 |
| California | 3 | $479,089 |
| Virginia | 3 | $351,529 |
| Colorado | 2 | $350,150 |
| Alabama | 3 | $340,000 |
| Maryland | 2 | $333,174 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $330,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $299,976 |
| Maine | 1 | $298,682 |
| Wyoming | 4 | $263,065 |
| Florida | 2 | $249,792 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | $221,099 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $8,320 |
| Indiana | 1 | $5,940 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $3,792 |