From how many turkeys are on the landscape to debates over spring harvest timing, the National Wild Turkey Federation is working to help fund researchers answer some of the biggest questions surrounding wild turkey management. The Federation (NWTF) is soliciting proposals for its 2026 Research Grants Program until June 15th in support of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) research and management in North America. NWTF will provide matching financial support for three years to projects that show clear management implications and strong collaboration. The organization is looking for researchers that prioritizes the development of standardized, cost-effective methods to estimate wild turkey populations across state, regional and local scales, with an emphasis on approaches that are practical for long-term monitoring. They are also looking for research proposals evaluating how habitat management, predator management, harvest frameworks, disease and spring season timing influence populations.
“This program is about aligning research with real management needs,” said Patrick Wightman, national director of wild turkey research and science at NWTF. “As an organization, we are focused on making sure the work we fund delivers actionable results that state agencies, land managers and other partners can use to sustain and enhance wild turkey populations.”
Find out more about the funding opportunity on the National Wild Turkey Federation website.
