Our commitment to
advancing research for
honey, honey bees & beekeepers.
Apply for a Research Grant
Get started today by filling out the application form.
Submission deadline is March 1, 2026.
Grant winners are announced on April 15, 2026.
What is the purpose of the Nate's Hives Research Grant Program?
The purpose of the Research Grant Program is to inspire and fund research that drives innovation to support the long-term success of the honey industry.
Nate’s Hives is the apiary company of Sweet Harvest Foods, the largest honey company in the U.S. Our mission is to lead the honey industry by innovating from the hive to beyond the kitchen, and we are committed to the continuous improvement of honey bee health, honey production and beekeeping practices.
Who Should Apply to the Nate's Hives Grant Program?
In its inaugural year, we’re excited to receive a wide variety of proposals and better understand the research and innovation landscape that could benefit from the Nate’s Hives Grant Program.
We invite proposals from academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and industry researchers whose work aligns with our mission to lead the honey industry through innovation from the hive to beyond the kitchen.
We recognize your time is valuable and want to be transparent in program expectations. Funding may be awarded either entirely to a single program — such as supporting a student researcher — or divided among multiple programs — such as covering equipment and supplies. Decisions on distribution will be based on the needs and merits of each proposal.
What Kind of Research Proposals Are We Looking for?
Proposals should address one or more of the following areas (not exhaustive):
- Honey bee health
- Sustainable beekeeping practices
- Environmental impacts
- Supply chain innovation
- Consumer demand and nutritional impacts
- Trade policy and production economics
Frequently Asked Questions about the Research Grant Program
What is the funding amount and duration?
Sweet Harvest Foods may award up to $100,000 in funding annually. Grant proposals should not exceed three years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Our grant is open to researchers affiliated with universities, research institutions, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and industry groups in United States. Collaborative and interdisciplinary proposals are encouraged. Sweet Harvest Foods employees and immediate family members are not eligible to apply.
What are the application steps?
Applicants will be required to submit an initial application form. Once completed, next steps will be shared for submitting a formal proposal via email.
What are the formal proposal requirements?
Formal proposal should be five to ten pages in length and must include:
- Project title and abstract
- Principal investigator(s) information
- Institutional affiliation
- Project description (including objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes)
- Budget and justification
- Timeline and milestones
- Impact statement (how the project will benefit the honey industry)
- CVs or biosketches of key personnel
What is the review process?
Proposals will be evaluated by a review board composed of Sweet Harvest Foods employees and external experts both from academia and the beekeeping industry.
The board will assess proposals based on:
- Scientific merit and innovation
- Feasibility and methodology
- Relevance to the honey industry
- Qualifications of the research team
- Financial need
How is funding distributed through the Nate’s Hives Grant Program?
Funding may be awarded in full to a single program (for example, supporting a student researcher) or divided among multiple programs (such as covering equipment and supplies). The distribution depends on the needs and merits of each proposal submitted.
What factors influence the decision on how funds are allocated?
Decisions are made based on the specific requirements and strengths of each proposal. The review committee considers the impact, feasibility and alignment with the program’s mission when determining how to allocate funding.
Can my proposal receive partial funding if it does not cover all requested items?
Yes. If your proposal includes multiple components, such as personnel, equipment or supplies, the committee may choose to fund certain elements based on priority and available resources.
Can grant funds be used for indirect costs?
Funds cannot be directed to overhead or administrative costs that are associated with the general operation and support of an organization. Otherwise known as indirect costs, these may include (but are not limited to):
- Office rent
- Utility bills
- Accounting or HR services
- Administrative salaries
Is there a preference for funding a single program versus multiple programs?
There is no set preference. The program aims to support the most promising and impactful proposals, whether that means fully funding one initiative or distributing resources across several.
How can I stay updated?
Upon applying, you will be connected with a grant program specialist for one-to-one communication about next steps.
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