The US Department of Energy’s Office of Geothermal has announced a US$300,000 Geologic Enhanced Mapping System (GEMS) Prize to help identify hidden geothermal systems in a big to prioritise efforts to accurate the ongoing geological mapping of the US.
The GEMS Prize challenges competitors to develop, train, and test algorithms that generate enhanced geologic fault datasets, which can support mapping and modelling for geothermal and critical mineral resources.
By using real-world datasets and testing ideas against geophysical data, the GEMS Prize is expected to accelerate discoveries of new, commercially viable hidden geothermal systems while reducing exploration and development risks.
The competition comprises two rounds, with prizes ranging from US$15,000 to US$100,000. Submissions are due on 3 December, 2026, and both individual and group competitors can participate. Individuals must be a US citizen or permanent resident, while teams must have a captain who is a US citizen or permanent resident.
The full details can be found on the website here.