Frequently Asked Questions

What is the funding amount and duration?
Sweet Harvest Foods may award up to a total of $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

*CVs/resumes and references are not included in the 10-page limit 

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 or divided among multiple programs. For example, the grant selection committee could award one grantee $100,000 or two or more grantees a total of $100,000. The distribution depends on the needs and merits of each proposal submitted.

For more insight, see the 2026 recipients linked here.

Is there a preference for funding a single program versus multiple programs?
It is likely that the grant selection committee awards program funds to more than one grantee in support of making an impact across multiple initiatives.

What factors influence the decision on how funds are allocated?
Decisions are made based on the specific requirements, strengths of each proposal and their alignment with the review criteria described above in the review process.

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?
If indirect costs are required by your organization, they may be included in your proposal and must be clearly outlined in the budget.

How can I stay updated?
Upon applying, you will be connected with a grant program specialist for one-to-one communication about next steps.

To view the FAQ as a print-friendly PDF, click here.