Upland Game Bird Stamp Fund Research Grant

The Upland Game Bird Stamp Fund Research Grant is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Division as part of its broader mission to conserve and manage wildlife resources across the state. This funding opportunity is supported by revenue generated through upland game bird stamp endorsements associated with hunting licenses, and its statutory purpose is to support scientific research that informs conservation and management strategies for upland game bird species and their habitats in Texas. The program reflects the agency’s commitment to evidence-based wildlife management and collaboration with external research partners. The primary objective of this grant program is to fund research projects that address specific conservation and management priorities identified by TPWD. For the current funding cycle, priority topics include evaluating the effects of fenbendazole on wild northern bobwhite populations and assessing the impacts of land conservation actions on wild turkeys in Texas. While proposals outside these topics may be considered, they are given lower priority. Projects are expected to generate actionable insights that contribute to proactive management decisions and improve ecological outcomes for upland game bird populations. Funding for this opportunity is allocated on a biennial basis, with up to 600000 dollars available for the 2025 to 2027 period, distributed as 300000 dollars per fiscal year. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur and document eligible expenses prior to reimbursement. Allowable costs must align with approved project budgets and comply with state and federal regulations. Indirect costs are capped at 15 percent. While matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to include them to demonstrate additional support and cost-effectiveness, though doing so does not increase the likelihood of funding. Eligibility is limited to qualified researchers affiliated with public institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and government entities including city, county, state, and federal agencies. Applicants must be in good standing with the Texas Comptroller and TPWD, and must not have outstanding reporting or performance issues from prior contracts. Collaborative partnerships are permitted, including with private entities, though the primary applicant must meet eligibility requirements. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to environmental laws, permitting requirements for wildlife handling, and documentation for work conducted on private lands. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal in Microsoft Word format along with a budget prepared using a prescribed Excel template. Proposals must follow strict formatting guidelines and include sections outlining project objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and budget justification. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with TPWD contacts associated with specific research topics prior to submission to ensure alignment with agency priorities. Completed applications must be submitted via email with required subject line formatting. The deadline for proposal submission is August 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM Central Time. Following submission, proposals undergo review by a designated committee that evaluates them based on established criteria. Selected applicants are expected to receive notification around early September 2025, after which revisions may be requested prior to contract finalization. Projects are expected to begin between October and December 2025 and typically run for approximately two years. Recipients are required to submit annual interim reports and a final report to document progress and outcomes. This funding opportunity is part of an ongoing program and is expected to recur in future cycles, aligned with biennial funding availability. Applicants should anticipate similar timelines and requirements in subsequent rounds and are encouraged to monitor TPWD communications for updates regarding future solicitations.

Align proposal closely with listed priority research topics; consult TPWD contacts before drafting; build on existing datasets to improve ranking; ensure strict compliance with formatting and submission guidelines