2026 National Geological Geophysical Data Preservation Program

The National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP), administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), offers funding through its annual grant opportunity to support the preservation, cataloging, and accessibility of geological and geophysical data and materials. This effort stems from a legislative mandate authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and amended by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The 2026 cycle (funding opportunity number G26AS00024) focuses on advancing scientific access to important subsurface and surface geoscientific records, samples, and metadata to aid research, education, and informed resource management. The 2026 NGGDPP grant supports two key funding priorities. Priority 1 centers on the preservation of geoscience resources, including both physical and digital infrastructure development for data and sample preservation. This includes digitizing and updating legacy data, constructing or remodeling storage facilities, implementing databases, and converting historical materials into sustainable formats. Priority 2 emphasizes critical minerals data preservation, which includes compiling borehole metadata, developing strategic preservation plans, and analyzing geochemical signatures relevant to critical minerals assessment. These priorities align with federal interests in maintaining national geological archives and supporting future resource evaluations. Eligible applicants are limited to state geological surveys as defined under the Energy Policy Act. However, a university may apply on behalf of a state geological survey if the survey is part of the university system. All awarded projects require cost sharing, with a minimum 1:1 match between federal and state funding. Funding requests for Priority 1 projects must include 100% state match for each funded activity. Similarly, Priority 2 efforts, which include data analysis and sample preservation related to critical minerals, also require full state matching funds. The total program funding available for 2026 is $2 million, with awards ranging from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $200,000. Approximately 35 awards are expected. Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov no later than 6:00 PM EST on February 17, 2026. Proposals must include detailed project narratives, metadata submission plans, budget justifications, and appropriate forms such as SF-424 and SF-424A. Metadata must adhere to the NGGDPP’s schema and be submitted to the ReSciColl platform. If projects involve preservation of non-state-owned collections, applicants must provide documentation to ensure the materials will be publicly accessible. Preservation of USGS-owned assets is explicitly prohibited under this funding opportunity. Applications will be evaluated on four merit criteria: technical merit, societal benefits, team experience, and budget appropriateness. Each carries equal weight in the review process (25% each). Successful proposals will demonstrate sound scientific rationale, benefits to broader geoscience and public interests, capability to execute proposed work, and efficient use of funds. Projects may be awarded full or partial funding based on review outcomes, and recipients must submit a final technical report, budget summary, and deliverables summary using specified templates. The NGGDPP has a recurring annual cycle, with the next anticipated cycle set for February 2027. The deadline for the current round is February 17, 2026, and awards are expected to be announced later in the calendar year. Contact for technical questions is Margaret Eastman ([email protected]; 703-648-7366). All metadata and data management plans must be prepared in alignment with the USGS’s guidance to ensure transparency, accessibility, and long-term usability of preserved resources.

Ensure federal funding does not exceed state match. Projects must align with listed priorities and avoid disallowed expenses.