NCWRC Research Initiatives
The Commission conducts applied research internally and collaboratively with partners. This science forms the foundation for sound management and regulatory decisions. Priorities are directed by the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan, the Commission, and Commission biologists.
Open Call for Research Ideas
NCWRC is hosting an annual open call for research ideas from November 1 through December 15, 2025. This open call does not imply that funding is immediately available from the NCWRC to support ideas for research projects. Rather, it is a means of generating ideas that may be pursued should they align with NCWRC’s objectives, priorities, and available funding.
To be considered, you must submit your research idea as outlined in the idea submission form to research@ncwildlife.gov. Research ideas must not exceed two pages. If an external research idea matches an internal proposal, the NCWRC proposal will be used moving forward. If the research idea is selected for further consideration, you will be invited to submit a full proposal. Final awardees may not receive funding for one to two fiscal year cycles , depending on programmatic fund availability. NCWRC staff will work closely with selected partners to establish a timeline for any projects receiving funding.
For FY26/27, the NCWRC programs below have identified the following areas of interest. Research ideas not falling into one of these topics may still be submitted.
Land and Water Access:
- Locating, conserving, and restoring sensitive, rare, and native plants and animals on landscapes relevant to NCWRC efforts
- Impacts of specific water/soil/vegetation management techniques to NCWRC habitat goals
- Novel forest-wildlife management techniques
- Impactful efficiencies in land management strategies
- Socio-political and economic impacts of land management decisions on our resources and constituencies
Wildlife Diversity Programs:
- As outlined in the North Carolina State Wildlife Action Plan
Questions may be submitted to research@ncwildlife.gov
Some examples of current research:
- Restoration of habitat at Kings Bridge Tract
- White-nose syndrome surveillance and management in NC
- Mountain bog habitat management and restoration at bog turtle sites in western NC
- Identifying SGCN habitat use across multiple scales throughout the eastern U.S. using MOTUS WTS
- Designing and assessing a regional acoustic monitoring program for the endangered Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
- Urban black bears: diet, movement, reproduction, and Bearwise program
Multi-scale assessment of wild turkey ecology in North Carolina
- Conservation status and management of Henslow's sparrow at the VOA game land and eastern NC
- Development of a Breeding Bird Atlas using the functionality of eBird
Deer ecology across an urban-rural continuum
- Comparative population genetics of small mammals in the spruce-fir ecosystem of western NC
- Interspecific competition, population genetics, hybridization zones, and management of Appalachian Cottontails in western NC
- American alligator ecology in North Carolina
- Black bear abundance and density in the NC Coastal Bear Management Unit
- Allegheny Woodrat Camera Surveys
- Canine distemper virus (CDV)
- Neuse River waterdog genomics
- Movements of black bears (Ursus americanus) along Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge in North Carolina
Wild turkey health: analysis of pathogen data with demographic and spatial-temporal data
- Conservation genomics of the Buxton Woods white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus buxtoni) on the Outer Banks, North Carolina
- DNA fingerprinting of sea turtles nesting in North Carolina
- Rabies and Canine Distemper Virus rapid test use on wildlife in field environments
Recently Completed:
Emily Nastase - “Status Assessment of Henslow’s Sparrows in North Carolina: a Multidisciplinary Framework for Conservation”
The Henslow’s Sparrow (Centronyx henslowii) is a grassland specialist songbird species that has sustained extensive population declines since the mid 1900’s due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation throughout its range. At present, there are only two known breeding sites for the Henslow’s Sparrow in North Carolina. As such, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission sought to assess the status of the Henslow’s Sparrow in the state. However, there were no data available to assess the viability of these populations, prompting the state to seek foundational information on the Henslow’s Sparrow’s demography, distribution, habitat use, and genetic structure in North Carolina. These components are essential to quantitatively gauge the vulnerability and status of the Henslow’s Sparrow, and if needed, formulate conservation measures to ensure its viability and persistence. This project consisted of four separate studies, which together provide baseline information for the development of a comprehensive conservation strategy for the Henslow’s Sparrow populations in North Carolina. Read her thesis.
Ashley Lynn – “Estimating Densities of White-tailed Deer along an Urban-Rural Gradient in Durham County, North Carolina”
As urbanization increases across the globe, once continuous landscapes have shifted to gradients of human dominated and fragmented habitat. Urban-rural gradients have varying degrees of change, which creates novel habitats for species. As species adapt to these transitional areas, understanding populations becomes difficult with smaller parcel sizes and private land. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a commonly recognized species that use landscapes across gradients. The overall aim of this study was to estimate deer densities and how deer density changes across an urban-rural gradient around a metropolitan area in Durham County, North Carolina. Read her thesis.
Archived NCWRC publications may be accessed through the state library.
If you would like to request NCWRC assistance in collecting samples for a research project, please complete the sample request form and submit to research@ncwildlife.org. Responses will be returned within 60 days.
Entities requesting NCWRC data on human subjects, or collaborating with the agency to collect data on human subjects must enter into a data sharing agreement with the agency. Human subjects data are those obtained through intervention or interaction with individuals as well as any identifiable personal information supplied by the agency or collected from individuals. The human subjects data sharing agreement requires that the requestor take steps to remove personally identifiable data, only use data for specific purposes and time periods, and safely store data. An agreement must be executed prior to the release of any agency data on human subjects to the requestor.
For permit requests, visit GoOutDoorsNorthCarolina.com
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) will offer summer internship opportunities for 2026. Available internships will be posted in January of 2026. Interns will work closely with NCWRC staff, gaining valuable experience in applied management and conservation as well as hands-on skills critical for future employment in the field of natural resources. Internships are expected to run for a duration of 10 weeks from May 18 through July 45 and will be paid at a rate of $15/hour. Please note that working hours per week vary by position and housing will not be provided for any listed position. Positions requiring field work will have access to NCWRC vehicles with a valid driver’s license.
Minimum Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- Applicants must carry a 2.5 or greater overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old by January 1, 2025.
- Applicants must be able to provide legal proof of identity and work authorization within three working days of employment.