Texas Wildlife Research Program
Upland Game Bird Stamp Fund Research Grant

Project Scope

The Wildlife Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is requesting proposals from universities and non-profit organizations/agencies interested in partnering with TPWD to investigate important conservation and/or management questions related to upland game birds through grant funded research opportunities. This grant opportunity is funded by the revenue from hunter license sales, specifically from Upland Game Bird (Stamp) Endorsements. Per Parks and Wildlife Code, the net proceeds from Upland Game Bird Stamp Funds may be used for research concerning upland game birds (PWC §43.658). During the FY 26–27 biennium (September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027), TPWD plans to make up to $600,000 in funds available ($300,000 per fiscal year) to support cooperative research projects, specifically for the project topics listed below. Unsolicited proposals for topics other than those explicitly listed within this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be considered at a lower priority for funding.

Background

The Upland Game Bird Stamp Fund Research Grant is a state funded research opportunity that supports research which leads to proactive conservation and management activities benefiting upland game bird species and their habitat in Texas.

Matching funds on research proposals are not required but are encouraged. Providing match in a proposal will not increase its likelihood of funding. In-kind match may be included. Federal funds may not be included as match for this proposal. Research proposals that build on existing datasets or literature will receive higher ranking. Grant funds will be provided to the grantee on a reimbursement basis; the grantee's institution or organization will receive reimbursement of their eligible invoiced expenses.

Statement of Work

This solicitation calls for proposals to address the specific research needs listed below which have been identified by TPWD Wildlife Division Small Game Program staff as research priorities for this funding cycle. TPWD reserves the right to not select a proposal due to funding limitations, insufficient proposal quality, or any other factors deemed appropriate.

Research topics of interest for this funding cycle include:

• Evaluating the Effects of Fenbendazole on Demographics of Wild Northern Bobwhite in the Rolling Plains of Texas
• Determine the Impacts of Land Conservation Actions on Wild Turkeys in Texas

Principal Investigators (PIs) should first communicate with the RFP contact listed in the above research topic links before beginning their proposal writing process to ensure that their proposals will address the issues of interest to TPWD using methodologies of interest to the agency.

Use the following (5) guidelines and templates for submitting proposals. Proposals using older formats will be rejected.

1. Upland Game Bird Proposal Specifications and Guidelines
2. Upland Game Bird Appendix I: Proposal Format
3. Upland Game Bird Appendix II: Example Budget
4. Upland Game Bird Appendix III: Evaluation Criteria
5. Upland Game Bird TPWD Pass-thru Budget Template Excel Workbook

For Americans with Disabilities Act assistance in accessing these documents for download, email wildlife.research@tpwd.texas.gov.

Eligibility

Research proposals on these topics are encouraged from university personnel and other qualified researchers from public (governmental) and nonprofit organizations. Primary applicants may include U.S. city, county, state, or federal government agencies, public institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations. Primary applicants must be in good standing with the Texas Comptroller and TPWD Accounting, regarding business and contracting practices. Partners (secondary applicants, cooperators or collaborators) may include other universities, private individuals, corporations, organizations or foundations. Partners are considered subcontractors of the primary applicant. Contracts will not be awarded to performing agencies (or principal investigators) who are delinquent or deficient in providing deliverables for current or past contracts or an approved final report from a previously awarded research contract to TPWD from all funding sources.

Proposal Submission Deadline and Contact

The deadline for the submission of proposals is the close of business (5:00:00 p.m. CST) on Friday, August 15, 2025. Proposals received after this date and time will not be considered for selection. No exceptions will be allowed. Please note that the Wildlife Division is working on an expedited submission deadline due to the timing of the availability of budget information this next biennium.

Applicants must submit an electronic copy (Microsoft Word/Excel files) of their proposal in the format described in the attachments above to TPWD by this deadline. Proposals should be emailed to wildlife.research@tpwd.texas.gov and include “Upland Game Bird Research” in the email subject heading.

Questions regarding the content of this RFP may be directed to wildlife.research@tpwd.texas.gov.

The solicitation and evaluation will follow the timeline below.

Approximate Timeline (Example):

• On or about July 1, 2025 — RFP posted on TPWD website.
• August 15, 2025 — Proposals due to TPWD by 5:00 PM CST. Copies of the proposals that followed all submission instructions will be distributed for review.
• August 15 to 31, 2025 — Upland Game Bird Research Review Committee meets to assess, rank, and choose final proposals for award.
• On or about September 1, 2025 — Successful grant applicants will be notified, any needed revisions to their proposals will be requested of the PIs, and a TPWD lead biologist will be assigned to each project. The TPWD lead biologist, or Project Coordinator (PC), will guide each proposal through the process of becoming a contract. TPWD will enter into a contractual agreement with the sub-recipient and ultimately issue a purchase order to fund the project.
• Awardees (PIs) will have until October 1, 2025, to submit back to TPWD through their PC any changes to their proposals requested by the Upland Game Bird Research Review Committee. Projects will only be approved once all awarded proposal and budget edits are completed to the satisfaction of the Upland Game Bird Research Review Committee. Delays in return of these updates/edits will result in a delayed project starting date in the contract.