Federal grant programs / Department of the Interior

National Cooperative Geologic Mapping (15.810)

Also known as (StateMap and EdMap)

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$68.7 million
• Grant awards337
• Typical award$106,291
• Awarded in FY 2025$9.0 million
• Size rank926 of 1,823
• Type of assistanceCooperative agreements

Key findings

• Annual funding fell from $14.0 million in fiscal 2021 to $9.0 million in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 926th largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 67% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 48 states and territories.

What the program funds

To produce geologic maps of areas in which knowledge of geology is important to the economic, social, or scientific welfare of individual States. StateMap supports: (1) projects which produce new geologic maps with attendant explanatory information including correlation of map units, description of map units and symbols, stratigraphic columns, geologic sections, and other pertinent information; and (2) projects which compile existing geologic data in a digital form for inclusion in the National Digital Geologic Map Database. EdMap: Provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students in academic research programs, through cooperative agreements, that involve geologic mapping and scientific data analysis as major components; expand research and educational capacity of graduate programs that teach earth science students the techniques of geologic mapping and field data analysis; and facilitate the publication and distribution of geologic maps generated in field-based graduate academic research programs.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

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

StateMap program is restricted by statue to State geological surveys. Where State surveys are organized under a State university system, an application may be submitted by a State college or university on behalf of the State geological survey. EdMap program is restricted to universities with geoscience or related departments or programs.

What the money can and cannot pay for

STATEMAP: Only one application will be accepted from each State geological survey. State proposals cannot include in-kind services by the U.S. Geological Survey. Travel to meetings of professional societies is not an acceptable expense for the program, nor are funds intended for the purchase of computer hardware, software, or other nonexpendable property. Student tuition or reimbursement is not an allowable expense. EdMap: Proposals cannot include a request for in-kind services by the U.S. Geological Survey. Funds are not intended for the purchase of capital equipment. Student tuition or reimbursement is not an allowable expense. For further information, please contact the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program office.

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. The Statemap program is required by Public Law 111-11 to be carried out on a 1:1 matching basis; each recipient must match each Federal dollar with a nonfederal dollar. The nonfederal share may be contributions of services or cash provided to contractors to perform geologic mapping or other services directly applicable to proposed work on the project. The specific source(s) of the State contribution, such as State legislative appropriation, must be provided in the proposal. The EdMap program is required by Public Law 111-11 to be carried out on a 1:1 matching basis; each recipient must match each Federal dollar with a nonfederal dollar. The nonfederal share may be a contribution of funds or services. Such services can include those related to the student research project or cash provided to contractors, i.e., field assistants to perform geologic mapping or other services directly applicable to proposed work on the project. Student tuition is not an allowable expense for direct cost or match for either Statemap or EdMap. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Deadlines

Estimated: January 16, 2026 (Date may be adjusted – depending on Departmental approval and release of Notice of Funding Opportunities).

Award range and average, in the agency's words

Past Fiscal Year (2024): Range: $7,132 - $656,136; Average: $231,978 Current Fiscal Year (2025): Range: $9,352 - $696,760; Average: $255,640 Budget Fiscal Year (2026): Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2025. Subject to the FY2026 budget for USGS, the award range and average for FY2026 is not yet known.

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: Geologic mapping of the Big Bend, northern half of Cripple Creek, northern half of Indian Valley, western half of Nebo quadrangles, Interstate 81 Corridor Project, Virginia (Virginia Department of Energy, Geology, and Mineral Resources).Fiscal Year2026: Program has not yet finalized selection of projects for funding. Program anticipates funding projects that produce detailed geologic maps and three-dimensional framework models that help to sustain and improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation and to mitigate natural hazards.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

State and local governments received 53% of the money, colleges and universities 47%.

By state

30 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.