Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation (15.255)
Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation (Assistance Listing 15.255) is run by the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $4.0 million in 28 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $144,278 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $200,000. Half of the 28 awards fell between $199,290 and $200,000, and they ranged from $30,189 to $200,000.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$4.0 million
- Grant awards28
- Typical award$200,000
- Awarded in FY 2025-$1.3 million
- Size rank1,658 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceCooperative agreements (discretionary grants)
Key findings
- It is the 1658th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 15 largest recipients received 133% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 12 states and territories.
What the program funds
The goal of the OSM Applied Science Program is to develop and demonstrate improved science-based technologies to address environmental, and restoration topics related to the mining of coal. This is a discretionary Program, and its further funding and direction are subject to Congressional Appropriations and Administration Priorities. The first objective to help us meet this goal is to develop technical tools to improve the efficiency and accuracy of regulatory authorities in permitting coal mines and administering their federally approved regulatory program. A second objective is to examine the potential for new technologies that can aid in the protection of the public and the environment during mining and reclamation. A third objective is to provide opportunities for college and university students to participate in research projects related to coal mining and reclamation issues in order to build a pool of qualified potential applicants for future implementation of SMCRA.
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
Applied Science Projects: Recipients may be any of the following: public, private, or non-profit entities; Federal, State, local or Tribal governments; and colleges and universities located in the United States.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Projects must focus on issues related to coal mining in the United States. Project funding will be limited to the amount of the initial OSM award, no additional funding will be provided by OSM throughout the project. Projects that are long term in nature or larger in scope than what can be accomplished with funds available the prescribed fiscal year, must be described in such a manner to allow OSM to identify a severable portion of the project with specific measurable accomplishments.
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
Oct 01, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026 See the Notice of Funding Opportunity posted on Grants.gov, for the application submission deadline. The application deadline will be 60 day from the initial posting date on Grants.gov.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Award amounts ranges from $100K to $200K. The FY 2025 obligation estimate is subject to the availability of appropriations and Congressional authority.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Science and Technology Projects Related to Coal Mining and Reclamation (15.255) awarded $4.0 million across 28 grant awards, an average of $144,278 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University Research Corporation | West Virginia | 7 | $1.4 million |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University | Virginia | 3 | $600,000 |
| The University of Kentucky Research Foundation | Kentucky | 3 | $427,664 |
| South Dakota School of Mines & Technology | South Dakota | 2 | $400,000 |
| Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University | Illinois | 2 | $398,808 |
| University of Utah | Utah | 2 | $369,810 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Virginia | 1 | $200,000 |
| South Dakota State University | South Dakota | 1 | $200,000 |
| The Ohio State University | Ohio | 1 | $199,980 |
| Navajo Technical University | New Mexico | 1 | $199,974 |
| Regents of the University of Idaho | Idaho | 1 | $199,888 |
| Saint Francis University | Pennsylvania | 1 | $198,925 |
| University of Oklahoma | Oklahoma | 1 | $198,465 |
| University of Rhode Island | Rhode Island | 1 | $197,419 |
| University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | 1 | $192,104 |
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 66% of the money, nonprofits 26% and tribes 3.7%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 18 | $3.6 million | 66% |
| Nonprofits | 7 | $1.4 million | 26% |
| Other | 2 | $222,288 | 4.1% |
| Tribal governments and organizations | 1 | $199,974 | 3.7% |
By state
1 state has a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. It is West Virginia.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 7 | $1.4 million |
| Virginia | 4 | $800,000 |
| South Dakota | 3 | $600,000 |
| Kentucky | 3 | $427,664 |
| Illinois | 2 | $398,808 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $391,029 |
| Utah | 2 | $369,810 |
| Ohio | 1 | $199,980 |
| New Mexico | 1 | $199,974 |
| Idaho | 1 | $199,888 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $198,465 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $197,419 |