Wildlife Research Program

The Wildlife Research Program administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is offering grant funding through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson program. This federal assistance initiative is designed to support state wildlife agencies in conserving, restoring, and managing native bird and mammal populations and their habitats. TPWD acts as the administering agency for these funds within Texas and is soliciting proposals from qualified research institutions and nonprofit organizations to address specific wildlife research priorities identified by its Wildlife Division. The program emphasizes applied research that directly informs conservation and management practices. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to generate actionable scientific knowledge that contributes to the conservation and management of native wildlife species in Texas. For the current funding cycle, TPWD has identified a defined set of priority research topics, including mountain lion distribution and demographics, pronghorn population modeling, and the ecological impacts of upland bird habitat restoration programs. Only proposals that directly address one of these specified topics will be considered, and unsolicited topics outside these areas are explicitly excluded. Activities related to law enforcement, recreation, education, plant conservation, or non-bird and non-mammal species are not eligible for funding under this program. Funding for this opportunity is provided on a cost-share basis, with the federal program covering up to 75 percent of total project costs and requiring a minimum 25 percent non-federal match from the applicant organization. Matching funds must be sourced from non-federal entities such as state, municipal, or private funds and must be clearly identified in the proposal. Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis, meaning that grantees must initially incur expenses and then request reimbursement for eligible costs. TPWD anticipates making over one million dollars available during this funding cycle, with individual proposals expected to request at least 250,000 dollars in federal reimbursement. Eligibility for this grant is limited to universities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations that are in good standing with TPWD and the Texas Comptroller. Primary applicants must demonstrate the administrative and financial capacity to manage federal funds and comply with all applicable regulations. Collaborative partnerships are permitted and encouraged, with secondary partners such as private entities or individuals serving as subcontractors under the primary applicant. Applicants must also ensure compliance with federal laws governing environmental protection, endangered species, and cultural resource preservation, as well as state requirements for land access and research permits where applicable. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal in Microsoft Word and Excel formats, following strict formatting and content guidelines outlined in the program appendices. Proposals must include detailed descriptions of the research approach, expected outcomes, and budget justification, and must not exceed specified page limits. Applicants are required to coordinate with TPWD staff prior to submission to ensure alignment with agency priorities and methodologies. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the designated TPWD contact address by the stated deadline. Applications will be evaluated by a review committee based on criteria outlined in the program guidelines, including relevance to priority topics, scientific merit, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. Following review, selected applicants will be notified and may be required to revise their proposals before final approval. Projects must undergo additional federal review and compliance checks before funding is formally awarded. Successful applicants will enter into contractual agreements with TPWD and must adhere to reporting requirements, including annual progress reports and a final report. The timeline for this funding opportunity began with the release of the request for proposals in November 2025, with submissions due by January 16, 2026. Review and selection occurred in March 2026, with notifications issued around April 1, 2026. Final proposal revisions were due by May 1, 2026. Due to federal processing requirements, project start dates cannot occur before September 1, 2026, and most projects are expected to last between two and five years. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state a recurring cycle but follows a structured annual or periodic solicitation process based on available federal funds.

Ensure proposal directly addresses one of the specified priority research topics and aligns with TPWD methodologies; identify and document non federal matching funds clearly; follow formatting and submission guidelines strictly