Deadline: 31-Jul-2026
The Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program provides approximately $440,115 to support collaborative research that improves the efficiency, sustainability, health, and productivity of laying hen and turkey production systems. The FY 2026 funding opportunity supports one research project with a project duration of up to 36 months, encouraging partnerships among universities, research institutions, government agencies, and industry organizations.
About the Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program
The Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program supports scientific research that addresses key challenges affecting the poultry industry, particularly the sustainable production of laying hens and turkeys. The programme promotes innovative research that enhances animal health, disease prevention, nutrition, housing systems, and production efficiency while supporting long-term sustainability.
The initiative encourages collaborative research involving multiple organizations to accelerate innovation, strengthen technology transfer, and improve the adoption of research outcomes across the poultry sector.
By investing in applied research, the programme aims to improve poultry production systems, enhance animal welfare, reduce disease risks, and strengthen food security.
Funding Amount
The programme provides:
- Approximately $440,115 for one research project.
Additional funding details include:
- Project duration: Up to 36 months.
- Number of projects expected to be funded: One.
Funding supports research activities that align with the programme’s priority areas.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve laying hen production.
- Improve turkey production.
- Enhance poultry health.
- Strengthen disease prevention.
- Reduce antimicrobial resistance.
- Promote sustainable poultry farming.
- Improve poultry nutrition.
- Advance gut health research.
- Develop innovative housing systems.
- Support technology transfer.
- Increase production efficiency.
- Encourage collaborative research.
Research Priority Areas
Projects should address one or more of the programme’s priority research areas.
Disease Prevention
Research may include:
- Vaccine development.
- Vaccine delivery methods.
- Disease diagnostics.
- Early disease detection.
- Disease resistance.
- Reducing pathogen transmission.
- Poultry disease surveillance.
Antimicrobial Resistance
Projects may focus on:
- Alternatives to antimicrobials.
- Probiotics.
- Prebiotics.
- Novel antimicrobial technologies.
- Reducing multidrug resistance.
- Sustainable disease management.
Nutrition
Research may include:
- Alternative feed ingredients.
- Sustainable poultry feeds.
- Feed efficiency.
- Innovative nutrition strategies.
- Feed formulation.
Gut Health
Projects may investigate:
- Poultry microbiome.
- Gut health improvement.
- Beneficial microorganisms.
- Pathogen interactions.
- Commensal microorganisms.
- Animal health and productivity.
Alternative Housing Systems
Research may focus on:
- Housing under extreme seasonal weather conditions.
- Precision livestock technologies.
- Environmental monitoring.
- Indoor air quality improvement.
- Biosecurity systems.
- Disease control measures.
- Smart poultry production technologies.
Eligible Research Activities
Supported projects may include:
- Applied poultry research.
- Technology development.
- Disease control strategies.
- Nutrition studies.
- Microbiome research.
- Production system improvements.
- Precision agriculture technologies.
- Sustainable poultry management.
- Technology validation.
- Knowledge transfer activities.
Research must involve laying hens, turkeys, or both.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- State agricultural experiment stations.
- Colleges.
- Universities.
- University research foundations.
- Research institutions.
- Federal agencies.
- National laboratories.
- Private organizations.
- Foundations.
- Corporations.
- Individual researchers.
Collaborative applications involving multiple eligible organizations are encouraged.
Partnership Opportunities
The programme gives priority to scientifically strong proposals that involve collaboration between multiple eligible entities.
Potential partners may include:
- Universities.
- Government agencies.
- Research institutes.
- Industry organizations.
- Private companies.
- Nonprofit research organizations.
Collaborative research is encouraged to strengthen scientific quality, innovation, and technology transfer.
Project Duration
Projects may run for:
- Up to 36 months.
Applicants should develop realistic work plans and milestones that align with the proposed project timeline.
Expected Outcomes
Funded research should contribute to:
- Improved poultry production efficiency.
- Better disease prevention strategies.
- Reduced antimicrobial resistance.
- Enhanced poultry nutrition.
- Improved gut health.
- Increased sustainability.
- Stronger biosecurity.
- Better housing systems.
- Increased industry competitiveness.
- Effective technology transfer.
Projects should generate practical solutions that benefit poultry producers and the broader agricultural sector.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should follow these steps.
- Review the official FY 2026 funding announcement.
- Confirm organizational eligibility.
- Develop a research proposal aligned with programme priorities.
- Build collaborative partnerships where appropriate.
- Prepare a detailed research methodology.
- Develop a realistic project budget.
- Prepare a project timeline and work plan.
- Complete the required electronic application.
- Submit all supporting documents before the application deadline.
- Respond to any clarification requests during the review process if required.
Application Components
A competitive proposal should generally include:
- Applicant information.
- Organizational eligibility details.
- Research project description.
- Scientific objectives.
- Research methodology.
- Collaboration plan.
- Work plan.
- Budget and budget justification.
- Expected outcomes.
- Technology transfer strategy.
- Supporting documentation requested by the programme.
Selection Criteria
Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:
- Scientific merit.
- Innovation.
- Relevance to programme priorities.
- Research methodology.
- Collaboration quality.
- Technical feasibility.
- Research team expertise.
- Potential industry impact.
- Technology transfer potential.
- Value for money.
Collaborative proposals with strong scientific foundations and practical applications are likely to be more competitive.
Why This Research Programme Matters
The poultry industry plays an essential role in global food security, agricultural sustainability, and economic development.
This programme supports:
- Healthier poultry production.
- Sustainable farming practices.
- Reduced disease outbreaks.
- Lower antimicrobial resistance.
- Improved animal welfare.
- Better environmental management.
- Stronger food systems.
- Innovation in poultry science.
- Industry competitiveness.
- Knowledge sharing between research and industry.
By investing in collaborative research, the programme helps develop practical solutions that improve productivity while supporting sustainable poultry production.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.
- Proposing research outside the programme priorities.
- Submitting incomplete electronic applications.
- Providing weak research methodologies.
- Failing to demonstrate collaboration where appropriate.
- Preparing unrealistic budgets.
- Developing unclear project timelines.
- Omitting technology transfer plans.
- Failing to explain the practical impact of the research.
Strong proposals should clearly demonstrate scientific excellence, innovation, industry relevance, and measurable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program?
It is a competitive research funding programme that supports scientific projects aimed at improving the efficiency, sustainability, health, and productivity of laying hen and turkey production systems.
How much funding is available?
Approximately $440,115 is available to support one research project lasting up to 36 months.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations, universities, research institutions, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations, corporations, foundations, individual researchers, and collaborations involving eligible entities.
What research topics are supported?
The programme supports research on disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, poultry nutrition, gut health, alternative housing systems, biosecurity, precision technologies, and sustainable poultry production.
Are collaborative proposals encouraged?
Yes. Partnerships involving multiple eligible organizations are encouraged and receive priority when proposals are scientifically meritorious.
How long can funded projects last?
Projects may have a duration of up to 36 months.
What makes a strong application?
Competitive proposals demonstrate scientific excellence, innovative research approaches, strong collaboration, practical industry benefits, effective technology transfer plans, and clear alignment with the programme’s research priorities.
Conclusion
The Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program provides a significant opportunity for researchers and institutions to advance sustainable poultry production through innovative, collaborative research. With approximately $440,115 available for a project lasting up to 36 months, the programme supports solutions that improve animal health, disease prevention, nutrition, housing systems, antimicrobial stewardship, and production efficiency. By fostering scientific collaboration and practical technology transfer, the initiative contributes to a more resilient, productive, and sustainable poultry industry.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
