The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to facilitate the new geologic mapping activities as part of the overall Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) effort to collect geophysical, geologic, geochemical, and topographic data in areas of critical mineral potential across the Nation. This advanced mapping of the Nations subsurface geologic resources will also directly benefit our understanding of domestic resources of other economically valuable mineral and energy resources, groundwater resources and water security, geologic hazards, infrastructure dependencies on subsurface geology. Final approval and issuance of financial support is dependent on various funding, administrative and programmatic contingencies. Awards made in support of Earth MRI are subject to the availability of funds and will be in the form of a Cooperative Agreement. The USGS is designated as the lead Federal agency for geologic map data. Earth MRI is designed to aid in fulfilling that leadership responsibility and to ensure that the needs of the Nation for high-quality two- and three-dimensional geologic framework data are being met. This role cannot be filled by the USGS alone, and Earth MRI is a collaborative approach to acquiring data for the Nation. Additionally, Earth MRI is mandated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117-58, signed on 11/15/21) - directing the USGS to accelerate efforts to carry out fundamental integrated topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical mapping activities focused on the assessment of critical minerals.
