Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program

The Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program, solicited under USDA-NIFA-OP-012080, is a federal research grant opportunity administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with an assistance listing number of 10.245. The program aims to fund a single research project focused on enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of laying hen and turkey production through integrated collaborative research and technology transfer, with all research activities required to be conducted on laying hens, turkeys, or both. The solicitation opens on July 15, 2026, and closes on July 31, 2026, with applications submitted exclusively via Grants.gov. The total funding available for one award is $440,115, with a project period of up to 36 months, starting no later than September 30 of the fiscal year of award. Proposals must adhere to the NIFA Grants Application Guide format and include mandatory components such as an SF-424 R&R Cover Sheet, an 18-page single-spaced Project Narrative (including figures and tables), a Data Management Plan, and R&R Senior/Key Person Profiles; resubmissions must also include a one-page response to prior review comments. All applications are subject to evaluation based on four equally weighted criteria: scientific merit, qualifications of project personnel, adequacy of facilities, and project management. Awards are made on a trade-off basis, prioritizing scientific merit over other factors. Key administrative requirements include a 30% cap on indirect costs, prior approval for changes in key personnel or subcontracting over 50% of the award, and restrictions on salary rates exceeding Executive Level IV of the Executive Schedule. A no-cost extension may be granted if requested at least ten days before the project’s end. Funding is disbursed through the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP) system, and awardees must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 and 7 CFR Part 3430. Performance must occur at the applicant’s facility where the poultry are housed and studied, with no physical delivery or inspection criteria applicable. All submissions must be in PDF format, and entities must provide a Unique Entity ID as part of the SF-424 R&R Cover Sheet, though socioeconomic status and size determinations are not specified in the solicitation. Conflict of interest disclosures, compliance with OMB cybersecurity guidelines for unmanned aircraft systems, and adherence