Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 19 FA 00261
The EARTH MRI (Earth Mapping Resources Initiative) grant opportunity is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding program under the Department of the Interior focused on improving the Nation's understanding of areas with potential for critical minerals. The core mission is to collect and expand foundational geophysical, geologic, and topographic datasets that can be used to assess mineral resource potential and support a wide range of public, scientific, and economic needs. Rather than funding isolated, stand-alone studies, EARTH MRI is framed as a coordinated national data acquisition effort, where new information is gathered in a way that benefits multiple users and feeds into broader regional and national mapping priorities.
This particular opportunity, titled "EARTH MRI" (Funding Opportunity Number USGS 19 FA 00261), is offered as a discretionary award using a Cooperative Agreement funding instrument. That structure matters because it signals that USGS expects to remain actively involved in program management, coordination, and planning, not simply provide a grant and step back. The stated implementation model for the Earth MRI Geologic Mapping Awards (GMA) relies on multi-agency partnerships, with State Geological Surveys serving as key partners responsible for collecting geologic framework data. In practice, that means the program is designed to leverage state-level expertise and on-the-ground capability while USGS provides leadership to ensure the work aligns with national objectives and can be integrated into broader datasets used by the larger community.
Eligibility is limited to state governments, which aligns with the program's emphasis on partnerships with State Geological Surveys. The funding activity category is Natural Resources, and the program is associated with CFDA number 15.808 (a federal assistance listing tied to USGS support activities). The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $100,000, and the expected number of awards is 1, indicating a relatively small and targeted funding round rather than a large competitive program distributing funds across many recipients. The opportunity was created on July 11, 2019, with an original closing date of July 24, 2019, which suggests a short application window typical of certain targeted cooperative agreements or time-sensitive program needs.
Overall, the grant is best understood as support for state-led geologic mapping and related framework data collection in areas believed to have critical mineral potential, carried out within a nationally coordinated strategy. The intended outcome is stronger, more consistent baseline data that can inform mineral assessments, land and resource management decisions, and future scientific work, while improving coordination across federal and state partners through an organized, collaborative acquisition model managed by USGS.Apply for USGS 19 FA 00261
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "EARTH MRI" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 11, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 24, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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EARTH MRI (Earth Mapping Resources Initiative) Grant - FAQs
What is the EARTH MRI grant opportunity?
EARTH MRI (Earth Mapping Resources Initiative) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) funding program under the Department of the Interior focused on improving the Nation's understanding of areas with potential for critical minerals. The program supports the collection and expansion of foundational geophysical, geologic, and topographic datasets that can be used to assess mineral resource potential and serve broader public, scientific, and economic needs.
Who is the federal sponsor for this opportunity?
The sponsor is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the U.S. Department of the Interior.
What is the official title of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "EARTH MRI."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USGS 19 FA 00261.
What type of award is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity uses a Cooperative Agreement funding instrument. This matters because it indicates USGS expects to remain actively involved in program management, coordination, and planning, rather than only providing funds with minimal federal involvement.
Is this considered a discretionary award?
Yes. The opportunity is offered as a discretionary award.
What is the main purpose or mission of EARTH MRI?
The core mission is to collect and expand foundational datasets (geophysical, geologic, and topographic) that improve the Nation's ability to understand and assess areas with critical mineral potential. The emphasis is on building baseline data that can support mineral assessments as well as other land, resource, scientific, and economic uses.
What kinds of activities does the Earth MRI Geologic Mapping Awards (GMA) model support?
The implementation model for Earth MRI Geologic Mapping Awards (GMA) relies on multi-agency partnerships, with State Geological Surveys serving as key partners responsible for collecting geologic framework data. The approach is designed to leverage state-level expertise and on-the-ground capacity while aligning the work with national objectives.
Does the program fund stand-alone research studies?
Not as a primary design goal. EARTH MRI is framed as a coordinated national data acquisition effort rather than a collection of isolated, stand-alone studies. The intent is to gather new information in ways that benefit multiple users and fit into broader regional and national mapping priorities.
What kinds of data are emphasized by this program?
The program emphasizes foundational geophysical, geologic, and topographic datasets, with a specific focus on collecting geologic framework data in areas believed to have potential for critical minerals.
Why is coordination and integration highlighted in the program description?
The program is designed so new data can be integrated into broader regional and national mapping priorities. USGS provides leadership and coordination so the outputs can feed into larger datasets used by the broader community, rather than remaining limited to a single project or user.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments, consistent with the program's emphasis on partnerships with State Geological Surveys.
Are non-state entities eligible (such as universities, nonprofits, or private companies)?
Based on the information provided, eligibility is limited to state governments. No other eligible applicant types are listed.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is Natural Resources.
What CFDA number (federal assistance listing) is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 15.808, tied to USGS support activities.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $100,000.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The expected number of awards is 1, suggesting a small and targeted funding round rather than a program making many awards.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 11, 2019.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was July 24, 2019.
What does the short application window suggest about this opportunity?
The July 11 to July 24 timeline suggests a short application window, which can be typical of targeted cooperative agreements or time-sensitive program needs.
What role does USGS play after an award is made?
Because the funding instrument is a Cooperative Agreement, USGS is expected to stay actively involved in program management, coordination, and planning to help ensure the work aligns with national objectives and can be integrated into broader datasets.
What role do State Geological Surveys play in this program?
State Geological Surveys are described as key partners responsible for collecting geologic framework data. The program is structured to leverage state expertise and field capability while contributing to nationally coordinated mapping priorities.
What outcomes is EARTH MRI aiming to produce?
The intended outcome is stronger, more consistent baseline data that can inform mineral assessments, land and resource management decisions, and future scientific work, while improving coordination across federal and state partners through an organized acquisition model managed by USGS.
How should applicants think about project fit for this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, the best fit is state-led geologic mapping and related framework data collection in areas believed to have critical mineral potential, carried out as part of a nationally coordinated strategy rather than a narrowly scoped, independent study.
Is this opportunity focused only on mineral exploration?
The program is focused on collecting baseline datasets to support assessing mineral resource potential, especially for critical minerals, but it is also described as supporting a wide range of public, scientific, and economic needs beyond a single-use purpose.
What makes this opportunity different from a typical research grant?
It is positioned as a coordinated national data acquisition effort, not a set of independent research projects. It also uses a Cooperative Agreement, signaling a closer working relationship with USGS for coordination and planning.
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