The National Turkey Federation Foundation is now accepting proposals for two 2026 research projects aimed at advancing animal health, disease prevention and long-term resilience in the US turkey industry. Proposals are due Oct. 1, 2026.

The foundation is seeking qualified research organizations, academic institutions or private sector entities to submit proposals for projects focused on:

• Developing a Strategic Roadmap for Vaccine Development Against Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in Turkeys: This project will support a systematic review of global research on ORT in turkeys, identify knowledge gaps and help guide evidence-based priorities for future vaccine development and implementation. The selected contractor will be asked to assess available research related to diagnostics, epidemiology, immunology, prevention strategies and vaccine development pathways.
• Economic and Broader Burden of Disease in the US Turkey Industry: This project will support an analysis of the multi-dimensional impacts of disease in the turkey industry, including economic costs, resource use, environmental performance, workforce stability, supply chain dynamics and system resilience. The project will compare acute outbreak-driven disease events, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, with endemic production-limiting diseases and develop a flexible framework that can inform future disease prevention and policy discussions.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full RFP materials, proposal requirements, evaluation criteria and submission instructions on the National Turkey Federation website.