EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The NWTF continues its heightened investment in wild turkey research by opening its National Wild Turkey Research Request for Proposals program for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s announcement comes off the heels of significant investments from the NWTF via its RFP program, including $362,889 in 2022 for seven projects; $587,324 in 2023 for 10 projects; and $655,447 in 2024 for nine projects. With the NWTF’s investments and partner contributions, more than $18 million has gone to wild turkey research since 2022.
“This era of wild turkey research is no doubt an exciting moment for state agencies and wild turkey managers,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF national director of Science and Planning. “Right now, there is more wild turkey research happening across the country than at any other point in history, and these projects are helping us understand key aspects of wild turkey ecology that are key to the bird’s future sustainability. We are keeping our foot on the gas and continuing to fund critical wild turkey research projects that are scored, ranked and awarded by the NWTF National Wild Turkey Technical Committee and conservation staff.”
From a national to a state level, the NWTF is funding 32 unique research projects across 24 states with over 30 partnering entities. The NWTF is now expanding its impact by opening its RFP program in 2025.
For 2025, the NWTF invites proposals that investigate the dynamics and drivers of the wild turkey population as well as those that address one, or more, of the following research priorities:
- Development of regional and national population and abundance estimates.
- Evaluation and development of habitat management practices and habitat conditions that would increase wild turkey nest success and poult survival.
- Investigation of underlying wild turkey diseases and their impacts on wild turkey populations.
- Understanding the effects of harvest management strategies and season structure on wild turkey populations.
- Wild turkey (adult and poult) survival and correlated causes of mortality.
All projects must have a minimum 3-to-1 leverage rate and may span up to three years in length. Applicants are highly encouraged to obtain endorsement from the representative NWTF state chapter(s) and must obtain endorsement from the respective state wildlife agency or agencies while investigating one or more of the above topics.
Applicants must submit proposals no later than June 13, for consideration. Project funding awards will be announced at the beginning of August 2025.
The NWTF Technical Committee and NWTF conservation staff will score and rank proposals on the applicability of the projects, scientific rigor, partner engagement and secured matching funds.
Learn more about the NWTF’s National RFP Program.
The NWTF Technical Committee, a group of state agency representatives from every state, has been essential in guiding historic research priorities, facilitating current research and, more recently, determining what research is necessary to aid current and future management decisions to ensure wild turkeys thrive into perpetuity.
For more information on NWTF’s 2025 Wild Turkey Research RFP program, eligibility and submission information, contact Hatfield at mhatfield@nwtf.net.
*Disclaimer:
To ensure NWTF funding has the greatest impact on the resource, we limit our support to only direct costs of the project and do not allow the use of NWTF funding to pay for indirect expenses.
NWTF defines “direct costs” as expenses that are required for said project and can be tracked directly to the research project. Direct costs are eligible to be recovered through the NWTF, but all unrecovered direct costs should be and are encouraged to be listed as match/leverage within the budget table.
“Indirect costs” are defined as expenses that cannot be tracked directly to the NWTF grant project. We realize many entities have federal approved rates and highly encourage all unrecovered indirect expenses be listed as match/leverage toward the project. If you list indirect expenses as match/leverage, please provide a fully executed NIRCA letter at the time of the project submission.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
