Wildlife Research Goals and Status

Wildlife Research Goal

The goal of 'wildlife research' is to adequately fund and support relevant, quality and feasible research through public and private partnerships consistent with TPWD statutes, policies and resources. Quality and reliability of research results are preferred over quantity of projects completed. Experimental (manipulative) and observational research with some control, replication and random selection are preferred. The Wildlife Division's primary research objectives are to seek answers to important management questions, inform the public through publications and other venues, and provide research opportunities for our staff for professional development.

If the proposed research does not request any TPWD grant funding, in-kind or personnel support then it need not be approved through this application review process. However, all other federal and state permitting or licensing requirements would still apply (i.e., handling, collecting, banding, marking or taking of migratory birds, threatened and endangered species or animal welfare requirements, etc).

Wildlife Research Status

TPWD Wildlife Research Program will not be accepting any new research projects for FY 13 (beginning Sept. 1, 2012) except for Section 6 grants and in response to one Call for Proposals.

The Wildlife Research program of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is suffering through severe budget cuts (see Research Funds Available). This affects appropriation of federal grants and nonfederal match, including funds from the resident and migratory game bird stamps and vehicle license plates. Proposals submitted other than for Section 6 or the posted Call for Proposals will be returned to sender.

Any proposal received for FY12 that ranked within the top 50% of proposals received based upon technical reviews, but unfunded in FY12 will be considered for funding in FY13 should funds become available.

Applications for grants under this Program must follow all posted guidelines, including the Application Instructions for Wildlife Research Grant. See Wildlife Research Goals and Status and Definitions for the purposes and limitations of this program (see Who is Eligible to Apply?)

Note, these guidelines and this process do not apply to TPWD - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service coordinated Section 6 Threatened and Endangered Species research. Guidelines for these grants may be found at Section 6.