ALB Research Request for Proposals (ALB Research RFP)

The American Lamb Board (ALB) has allocated $350,000 for FY 2026 (October 2025 - September 2026) to fund multiple research projects that address critical industry priorities. ALB is soliciting research proposals that address one or both of these priorities:

1. Overcoming hurdles for the expansion of domestic sheep production. Example topics: parasite control; non-traditional grazing opportunities; quantifying economic and environmental benefits of adding sheep to an existing agricultural operation; genetic selection to promote flock expansion efforts.

2. Increasing the competitiveness and advancing the image, desirability, use, marketability, production, product development, or quality of American Lamb. Example topics: using innovative management practices and tools to increase productivity; new product development; using genetics to ensure carcass quality and/or to improve productivity; animal health and welfare; environmental impacts of sheep production; human health and nutrition.

Open to research teams; ALB's policies and budget instructions are written for university-based principal investigators and co-investigators (the RFP asks for a three-column budget itemizing costs for ALB vs. the University, curriculum vitae for the primary investigator and each co-investigator, and letters of support from co-investigators and collaborators).

Summary of ALB research policies:

• Lamb checkoff funded research must address ALB's mission of increasing demand for American Lamb and improving the competitive advantage of the American Lamb industry.

• ALB prefers not to cover overhead and indirect costs with Lamb Checkoff research funds. In any case, overhead and indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of the total project cost.

• All research studies are required to be reviewed and approved by ALB and USDA prior to dissemination or publishing.

• Research teams are required to submit quarterly status reports and to present their final report in person at an ALB Board meeting.

• As long as the University is contributing funds to the project, the research can be co-owned by ALB and the University.

Overhead and indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of the total project cost, and ALB prefers not to cover them at all. Graduate student support, student and other hourly labor, and post-doctoral support are allowed. Equipment, except for disposable equipment such as test tubes, is not allowed unless explained in the proposal, included in the budget and approved in advance by the Board. Budgets must use at least a three-column format itemizing costs for ALB vs. the University plus the sum of both, with other funding sources in an additional column; ALB encourages both University investments and other funding support. Multi-year projects must show expense details by year. Quarterly status reports are required plus an in-person final report at an ALB Board meeting. All research reports must be reviewed and approved by the Board and USDA prior to dissemination.

Proposals are submitted by email to Megan Wortman, ALB Executive Director, at megan@americanlamb.com.

RFP timeline and application instructions:

1. Step 1 - Submit a summary research proposal (October 1, 2025 - November 15, 2025). Two pages max, single-spaced, 12-point font, answering: the goals of the research project including intended outcomes and deliverables; how the proposed project fits the industry priorities; how the research will assist the Lamb Checkoff in addressing its mission; and an estimated timeline and budget.

2. Step 2 - Review and interviews (November 15, 2025 - December 15, 2025). A review committee including sheep producers and industry experts reviews the summary proposals for scientific soundness and potential impact on the ALB research priorities, then selects research teams to interview.

3. Step 3 - Submit detailed proposals (December 15, 2025 - January 30, 2026). Select teams are asked to submit detailed proposals for Board and USDA approval, including budget, literature review, related research, research objectives and methodology, proposed timeline, contacts, dissemination plan, letters of support, and curriculum vitae.

Full guidelines and application instructions: https://lambboard.com/s/ALB_RFP_FactSheet_102725_FINAL2.pdf

• ALB funding page (research section): https://lambboard.com/funding#rfp

• ALB Research Request for Proposals fact sheet (PDF): https://lambboard.com/s/ALB_RFP_FactSheet_102725_FINAL2.pdf

• ALB announcement (Oct 9, 2025): https://lambboard.com/weekly-news/unlock-opportunities-in-2026-the-american-lamb-board-announces-funding-for-promotions-and-research