Honey Bee Research and Promotion Grants

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) is soliciting proposals for its Honey Bee Research Grant Program, a competitive funding opportunity aimed at advancing honey bee health through applied scientific research. The program is governed by Chapter 4.1-08 of the North Dakota Century Code and advised by a committee composed of members of the North Dakota Beekeepers Association and a scientific advisor. The NDDA has allocated $230,000 in total grant funding for the 2025–2027 biennium and will issue multiple awards to eligible applicants for new projects or valuable extensions of previously funded efforts. The central aim of this program is to support research that provides practical, scalable solutions to critical challenges affecting honey bee health. Priority areas for funding include studies on Varroa mites, honey bee nutrition, genetics and breeding, Tropilaelaps mites, and Nosema. Proposals outside these priority areas may still be considered. Projects are expected to contribute meaningfully to the understanding and management of honey bee health, particularly in ways that benefit beekeepers operating in North Dakota. NDDA encourages research that aligns with the needs of the local apiculture industry and promotes sustainable practices. Applicants must be legally authorized to conduct business in North Dakota, with registration through the Secretary of State’s Office confirmed prior to award execution. Exemptions to registration may be granted individually upon request. Grant proposals must include a completed Honey Bee Research Funding Request Form (SFN 61047), detailed project summary with objectives and rationale, budget breakdown, qualifications of principal investigators, and any additional pertinent information. Overhead and indirect costs are not reimbursable. Applications will be evaluated by NDDA and the Honey Bee Research Advisory Committee using a structured rubric. Evaluation criteria include relevance to honey bee health (20 points), industry support (20 points), project work plan (15 points), potential impact (20 points), qualifications and management (10 points), and budget appropriateness (15 points). Applicants may be invited to give an oral presentation to clarify key project elements. Notification of award status is expected by December 23, 2025. The submission deadline is December 1, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. CT. Proposals must be emailed to bees@nd.gov. Projects will begin on January 1, 2026, and must conclude by June 30, 2027. Extensions may be requested, but must be submitted before June 15, 2027. Reporting requirements include quarterly reimbursement submissions with itemized documentation and a comprehensive final report. The NDDA may also conduct follow-up surveys to assess long-term impact. All communications should be directed to Samantha Brunner, State Apiary Inspector, at bees@nd.gov or (701) 328-4765.

Align project with research priorities and ND relevance; detailed budget and feasibility required; prepare for potential oral presentation.