Opportunity Information: Apply for USGS 20 FA 0001
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), within the Department of the Interior, announced a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Geologic Mapping in the Earth MRI Phase 2 Focus Areas" (Funding Opportunity Number: USGS 20 FA 0001) to support geologic mapping work that advances the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI). Earth MRI is a national mission aimed at gathering key geophysical, geologic, and topographic information in parts of the United States that show potential for critical mineral resources. The central idea is to strengthen the foundational geologic framework data needed to better understand where important mineral resources may occur and to make those data broadly useful for government, industry, and research communities.
This opportunity uses a Cooperative Agreement as the funding instrument, which signals that USGS expects to have an active partnership role rather than simply issuing funds with minimal involvement. The program is built around multi-agency collaboration, with State Geological Surveys positioned as the primary on-the-ground data collectors and mapping leads, while the USGS serves in a lead program management role. In practice, that means USGS helps facilitate planning, coordination, and acquisition so that mapping products and datasets are consistent, targeted to Earth MRI priorities, and delivered in a way that benefits a wide set of users beyond any single project team.
Eligibility is limited to state governments, aligning the program with the State Geological Surveys that typically operate within state government structures. The activity area is categorized under Natural Resources, and the program is associated with CFDA number 15.808. The opportunity was created on May 5, 2020, with an original application closing date of May 18, 2020, indicating a relatively short application window typical of targeted federal initiatives tied to specific planning cycles.
Funding details indicate an award ceiling of up to $600,000 per award, with an expectation of approximately 16 awards. While the notice emphasizes the Earth MRI Phase 2 focus areas, the broader purpose is clear: produce geologic mapping and related framework information that can be integrated with other Earth MRI datasets (such as geophysics and topography) to improve understanding of the geology in regions with critical mineral potential. Overall, the opportunity is designed to accelerate modern geologic mapping in priority areas through coordinated federal-state partnerships, using cooperative agreements to ensure alignment with national Earth MRI objectives and to maximize the usefulness of resulting data products.Apply for USGS 20 FA 0001
- The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Geologic Mapping in the Earth MRI Phase 2 Focus Areas" 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 May 05, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2020. (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 $600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 16 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Geologic Mapping in the Earth MRI Phase 2 Focus Areas".
Who is offering this funding?
The funding is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which is part of the Department of the Interior.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USGS 20 FA 0001.
What is the main purpose of this opportunity?
The purpose is to support geologic mapping that advances the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) by strengthening the geologic framework information needed to better understand where critical mineral resources may occur and to make the resulting data broadly useful to government, industry, and research communities.
What is Earth MRI?
Earth MRI (Earth Mapping Resources Initiative) is described as a national mission focused on gathering key geophysical, geologic, and topographic information in parts of the United States that show potential for critical mineral resources.
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a Cooperative Agreement.
What does it mean that this is a Cooperative Agreement?
It indicates that USGS expects to play an active partnership role rather than providing funds with minimal involvement. The notice describes USGS as facilitating planning, coordination, and acquisition to help ensure mapping products and datasets are consistent, targeted to Earth MRI priorities, and delivered for broad use.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments.
How does eligibility relate to State Geological Surveys?
The opportunity aligns with State Geological Surveys because they typically operate within state government structures, and they are positioned as the primary on-the-ground data collectors and mapping leads for this program.
What role does USGS play in the program?
USGS serves in a lead program management role and helps facilitate planning, coordination, and acquisition so that project outputs align with Earth MRI priorities and are useful beyond a single project team.
What role do State Geological Surveys play?
State Geological Surveys are described as the primary on-the-ground data collectors and mapping leads, carrying out geologic mapping work in the Earth MRI Phase 2 focus areas.
What is the program area or activity category?
The activity area is categorized under Natural Resources.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.808.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 5, 2020.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was May 18, 2020.
How long was the application window?
Based on the dates provided (created May 5, 2020; closing May 18, 2020), the original application window was relatively short and consistent with a targeted federal initiative tied to specific planning cycles.
What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The award ceiling is up to $600,000 per award.
How many awards were expected?
The notice indicates an expectation of approximately 16 awards.
What kinds of work does this opportunity support?
It supports geologic mapping and the creation of related geologic framework information in the Earth MRI Phase 2 focus areas, intended to improve understanding of geology in regions with potential for critical minerals.
How do the mapping products relate to other Earth MRI efforts?
The mapping and framework information are intended to be integrated with other Earth MRI datasets, including geophysics and topography, to improve understanding of geology in priority regions.
Why does the opportunity emphasize coordination and consistency?
The notice highlights coordinated federal-state partnerships so that resulting mapping products and datasets are consistent, targeted to Earth MRI priorities, and delivered in a way that benefits government, industry, and research users.
What is meant by "Earth MRI Phase 2 focus areas" in this announcement?
The notice emphasizes that funded work is focused on Earth MRI Phase 2 focus areas, meaning priority areas selected under the Earth MRI effort where modern geologic mapping and related framework data are needed to advance critical mineral understanding.
What is the overall goal of the program design?
The program is designed to accelerate modern geologic mapping in priority areas through coordinated federal-state partnerships, using cooperative agreements to ensure alignment with national Earth MRI objectives and to maximize the usefulness of resulting data products.
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