Executive Summary
DOE's GEMS Prize pays $300,000 to teams that build machine learning for mapping subsurface geology. US-based institutions, companies, nonprofits and individuals can compete. Final submissions are due December 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM UTC on DrivenData).
The prize runs on DrivenData (competition 306) and HeroX. The money is split across an initial round and a final round, so the write-up of your methods matters as much as the model score.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office; presented with the Office of Geothermal)
- Opportunity: Geologic Enhanced Mapping System (GEMS) Prize
- Platforms: DrivenData competition 306 and HeroX
- Award Vehicle: Prize
- Funding: $300,000 total: $50,000 initial round (5 x $10,000) and $250,000 final round ($100,000, $70,000, $40,000, $25,000 and $15,000)
- Due Date: Final submission December 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the December 3 deadline.
What Is the GEMS Prize?
A DOE data-science competition, administered with the National Lab of the Rockies and DrivenData, that asks teams to build models that map subsurface geology from geologic data.
What Problem Is DOE Trying to Solve?
Better subsurface maps lower the cost and risk of finding geothermal and other subsurface resources. DOE wants new machine learning methods that improve those maps.
Funding and Award Terms
- Initial round: $50,000, five awards of $10,000
- Final round: $250,000: $100,000, $70,000, $40,000, $25,000 and $15,000
- Award type: Cash prizes; no cost share
Eligibility
- Who can compete: Institutions, companies, nonprofit organizations and individuals based in the United States
- Rules: Check the official rules on HeroX and DrivenData for citizenship and team details before you enter
How to Apply
- Register: on DrivenData (competition 306) and review the data and rules
- Build and test: your model on the competition data
- Submit: your final model and write-up by December 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
What Happens After You Submit?
- Judging: DOE and its partners score final submissions under the official rules
- Awards: Winners are announced by DOE after judging
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
Good fit if you build machine learning for geology, geothermal, mining or other subsurface data, and want DOE visibility for your methods. The purse is modest, so treat it as a proof point rather than a funding plan.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize competitions like GEMS, we help you:
- Read the rules and scoring criteria so effort goes where points are
- Shape a clear methods write-up for judges
- Check eligibility and team setup before you enter
- Turn a strong result into a DOE SBIR or ARPA-E pitch
- Plan the next funding step for your subsurface technology
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the GEMS Prize?
$300,000 in total: $50,000 in the initial round and $250,000 in the final round.
What is the top prize?
$100,000 in the final round.
When is the final submission due?
December 3, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM UTC).
Who can compete?
Institutions, companies, nonprofit organizations and individuals based in the United States.
Where do I enter?
On DrivenData (competition 306); HeroX also hosts the prize page.
Is there a cost share?
No. It is a cash prize.
Who runs the prize?
DOE, with the National Lab of the Rockies and DrivenData.
Can BW&CO help with a GEMS Prize entry?
Yes. We can review your write-up against the judging criteria and plan your next funding step. Book a call with our team.
Source: DrivenData: GEMS Prize (competition 306) and HeroX: GEMS Prize