Funder: Geological Survey
Due Dates: May 14, 2025 (Applications) | July 15, 2025 (Earliest start) | September 30, 2025 (Latest start)
Funding Amounts: Total program: $5,000,000 | Typical award: up to $356,000 (max), $3,000 (min) | Up to $50,000 (Inventory), $300,000 (Characterization), $6,000 (Workshop travel) | Analytical support up to $70,000 per project (in addition to project cap)
Summary: Supports state geological surveys to inventory and characterize mine waste for critical minerals, with optional funding for travel to the Earth MRI workshop.
Key Information: Only state geological surveys (or their university-based equivalents) are eligible; proposals must address at least one of three priorities; no cost share required.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Resources Program under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), funds state geological surveys to conduct activities related to mine waste inventory, characterization, and participation in the annual Earth MRI workshop. The program aims to build a comprehensive national database of mine waste sites, assess their potential for critical mineral resources, and support remediation and resource recovery efforts. Funding is available for three independent priorities:
- Priority 1: National Mine Waste Inventory (compiling geospatial and resource data)
- Priority 2: Mine Waste Characterization (field-based sampling and analysis)
- Priority 3: Travel to the annual Earth MRI workshop
All deliverables and data products are intended for public release and integration into national datasets.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: May 14, 2025, 3:00 pm EDT (no late submissions)
- Earliest Project Start: After USGS receives FY2025 funding or July 15, 2025 (whichever is later)
- Latest Project Start: September 30, 2025
- Project Duration: Up to 24 months
- Deliverables Due: 90 days after end of performance period
Funding Amount
- Total Program Funding: $5,000,000 (approx. 14 awards expected)
- Award Range: $3,000 (min) to $356,000 (max) per project
- Priority 1 (Inventory): Up to $50,000
- Priority 2 (Characterization): Up to $300,000 (plus up to $70,000 in analytical support for USGS-provided analyses)
- Priority 3 (Workshop Travel): Up to $6,000 (for two participants per state)
- No cost sharing required
- Analytical support: USGS covers up to $70,000 per project for sample analyses (solid: $389/sample; water: $287/sample)
Eligibility
- Eligible Applicants: Only state geological surveys are eligible. Universities may apply on behalf of a state geological survey if the survey is organized under a university system.
- Restrictions:
- State geological surveys overdue on deliverables or progress reports for any previous/ongoing Earth MRI-funded agreements are ineligible.
- Only nonfuel mine waste (no coal or uranium) is eligible.
- Field work is not allowed under Priority 1 (Inventory).
- Other Requirements:
- Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Proposals must address at least one of the three priorities.
- No cost share or matching funds required, but optional matching can be included.
Application Process
- Submission: Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline.
- Required Documents:
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Abstract Summary (plain language, 1 page)
- Project Narrative (up to 11 pages, with 5 pages each for Priorities 1 and 2, 1 page for Priority 3)
- Budget Sheets and Justification (Attachment B)
- Proposal Summary Sheet (Attachment A)
- Data Management Plan (see template)
- Biographical Sketches (Attachment F, max 2 pages each)
- Current and Pending Support (Attachment G)
- Letters of support (optional)
- Budget: Use provided templates; include all direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs may be charged at a negotiated rate or 15% de minimis if no negotiated rate exists.
- Review Criteria: Technical merit, societal benefits, team experience, and budget appropriateness.
Additional Information
Program Priorities
Priority 1: National Mine Waste Inventory
- Compile geospatial, geological, and resource data for mine waste features (>2,000 m²) using public sources.
- Populate a USGS-provided ArcGIS geodatabase template.
- No field work allowed; use remote sensing and existing data.
- Minimum of 100 records for first-year states; more for continuing states.
- Deliverables: Database, brief report, and QA/QC compliance.
Priority 2: Mine Waste Characterization
- Field-based sampling and analysis of nonfuel mine waste (tailings, slag, ore stockpiles, perpetual water sources).
- Must follow USGS protocols.
- USGS provides analytical support for up to $70,000 per project.
- Deliverables: Geospatial data, volume/load/resource estimates, interpretive report (peer-reviewed state publication), digital archive of field sheets.
Priority 3: Earth MRI Workshop
- Travel support for up to two state representatives to attend the October 28–30, 2025 workshop in Reston, VA.
- Not competitive; all eligible requests funded.
Reporting Requirements
- Semi-annual progress reports (Priorities 1 & 2)
- Final technical report(s) (within 90 days of project end)
- Financial reports (SF-425)
- All data and reports will be made public
Equipment and Allowable Costs
- Nonexpendable equipment allowed if justified (no computers or IT infrastructure).
- Drones may be purchased only if compliant with federal restrictions.
- No tuition, computer maintenance, or travel to other conferences (except Earth MRI workshop).
Data Management
- All data must be managed per USGS policy and made publicly available.
- Geospatial data must comply with Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) standards and include metadata.
External Links
Contact Information