Bee BC Program
BC, Canada
Financial support for B.C. beekeeping and Indigenous organizations
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 31, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateFebruary 28, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
grant_single|grantors
- Government of British Columbia
- Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get funding to cover up to 80% of your project, to a maximum of $7,000, for research, exploration, and field testing of bee-health-related best management practices, the purchasing of new equipment, and the implementation of new bee health strategies.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects and activities for this grant include those focused on researching, exploring, field-testing, and sharing best practices for enhancing bee health in British Columbia.
- Purchasing and implementing new equipment for bee health strategies
- Field-testing best management practices such as beehive equipment irradiation
- Introducing and integrating pollen substitutes and supplements into bee health strategies
- Seeding and planting new bee forage for nectar and pollen
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$7,000
Vancouver
Field testing best practices in beehive equipment irradiation
$6,400
Surrey
Seeding new bee forage areas to improve nectar sources
$7,000
Victoria
Purchasing advanced nectar analysis technology for bee health research
$7,000
Kelowna
Introducing pollen substitutes to enhance bee health
$6,800
Burnaby
Introducing high-quality bee forage plants for disease prevention
$7,000
Richmond
Implementing a new bee health monitoring system
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The Bee BC Program supports regional/community-based beekeeping associations, beekeepers with permitted hives, First Nations, and Indigenous Peoples Organizations in undertaking projects that enhance bee health. Eligible activities include research, exploration, and implementation of best practices for bee disease monitoring and treatments.
- Regional/community beekeeping associations or groups
- Beekeepers with permitted hives
- Groups of beekeepers with permitted hives
- First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Bee BC Program provides funding assistance to regional or community-based beekeeping associations, beekeepers with permitted hives, and First Nations in British Columbia. The eligible participants can undertake small-scale or community-based projects that enhance the overall health of bees in the province.
- Regional/community beekeeping associations or groups
- Beekeepers with permitted hives
- Groups of beekeepers with permitted hives
- First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
- Companies engaged in regular activities related to commercial honey production
- Business development activities directed towards generating income
- Marketing, promotional, or market development activities
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. Eligible costs are those incurred for researching, exploring, and field testing a conventional or new management strategy for bee health.
- Costs for new equipment, technology that enhances bee health
- Transportation costs of beehive equipment for irradiation
- Costs for pollen substitutes and/or supplements
- Costs for seeding and planting of new bee forage
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available for participants throughout the province of British Columbia. Applicants must be based in British Columbia to be eligible.
- Province of British Columbia
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are specific evaluation and selection criteria for the Bee BC Program grant, which include eligibility, alignment with objectives, community involvement, and technical merit, among others. Each application must meet a minimum scoring threshold of 65% to be considered for funding.
- Alignment with program goal and objective
- Community-based beekeeper involvement
- Strength of project framework
- Communications plan
- Scale of project impact and benefits
- Timeline of impact
- Technical/scientific merit
- Applicant experience/qualifications
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an Account on the IAF Client Portal
- Step 2: Create a personal profile (name and email)
- Step 3: Register your Organization by providing the following information:
- Name
- Contact details
- Type of organization
- BC ID / CRA numbers
- Primary contact
- and more
- Note: It can take up to two business days for IAF Staff to verify your Organization Registration.
- Step 4: Apply for Funding by selecting Bee BC Program from Funding Opportunities and providing:
- Project start & end dates
- Select project activities from the eligible activities list
- Provide description of key activities, who will undertake work, and timeline
- Alignment with program priorities
- Performance measurement information
- Funding request / project budget
- Note: Applicants may provide supplementary materials in support of their application (e.g. letters of support, CV’s, quotes). These appendices can be uploaded through the IAF Client Portal as attachments to the application.
- Step 5: Submit your application by the deadline of February 27, 2024, at 16:30 PST
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This grant focuses on enhancing bee health in British Columbia through various small-scale regional and community-based projects. Applicants must align their projects with specific timelines and criteria to be eligible for funding.
- The funding period for successful applicants runs from April 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.
- The maximum grant amount per project is $7,000.
- Eligible participants include regional/community beekeeping associations, individual beekeepers with permitted hives, groups of beekeepers, and First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations.
- Eligible activities include research, exploration, field-testing, implementation, and sharing of best practices and techniques for bee health.
- Applications must be submitted between January 30, 2024, and February 27, 2024, by 16:30 PST.
- Projects must have clear and immediate benefits to bee health and/or the beekeeping industry.
- Funding notifications will be given by April 12, 2024.
- All communication materials funded by the program need pre-approval before public sharing.
- Any changes to program activities after approval must be approved by IAF in writing.
- Participants are required to submit a final report through the IAF Client Portal.
Apply to this program
Summary of Bee BC Program
The Bee BC Program is a provincial initiative designed to support small-scale, regional or community-based projects aimed at researching, testing, and sharing best management practices for bee health in British Columbia. Grants of up to $7,000 are available for projects that focus on enhancing bee health through innovative approaches and information sharing among beekeepers.
Detailed Explanation of the Bee BC Program
The Bee BC Program is a vital initiative to enhance bee health throughout British Columbia. With the increasing concern over the decline of bee populations, this program supports local and regional efforts to implement and share best management practices that could contribute positively to bee health. Bees play a critical role not only in honey production but also in the pollination of numerous crops and the overall environmental ecosystem. The importance of this program cannot be overstated as it aims to address the urgent need to maintain and improve bee health through community-driven projects.
The program is managed by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia (IAF), which offers funding to eligible participants from April 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. Grant funding is competitive, and successful applicants can receive up to $7,000 per project. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit their proposals within the application window from January 30, 2024, to February 27, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for the Bee BC Program is open to regional or community-based beekeeping associations, beekeepers with permitted hives, and First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations involved in small-scale or community-based projects. The following groups are eligible to apply:
- Regional/community beekeeping associations or groups
- Beekeepers with permitted hives
- Groups of beekeepers with permitted hives
- First Nations/Indigenous Peoples Organizations
Eligible activities include research, exploration, field-testing, implementation, and sharing of best practices and techniques to promote healthy bee colonies. The focus is on implementing new or innovative bee health best management practices that are new to the applicant or community/region. Examples of eligible activities include purchasing new equipment for bee health strategies, introducing pollen substitutes/supplements, and planting new bee forage.
Ineligible Activities and Costs
It's essential to understand what activities and costs are not eligible for reimbursement under the Bee BC Program. Projects not directly related to bee health, such as commercial honey production or marketing activities, are ineligible. Specific ineligible costs include staff wages, the purchase or lease of land and buildings, financing charges, and costs incurred before project approval or after project completion. Additionally, activities designed to generate income during or after the project are not supported.
Application Process
Applying for the Bee BC Program involves several steps that must be completed through the IAF Client Portal. The process includes creating an account, registering the organization, and applying for funding by selecting the Bee BC Program from the list of funding opportunities. Applicants must provide detailed information about their project, including start and end dates, key activities, alignment with program priorities, performance measurement, and a project budget. Supporting materials such as letters of support and quotes can also be uploaded.
To be successful, projects must clearly demonstrate alignment with the program's objectives, have immediate benefits to bee health, and involve community-based beekeeper participation. Projects engaging local, regional, or First Nations governments or involving youth are particularly encouraged.
Evaluation and Selection
All submitted applications will be reviewed by technical experts and industry specialists. They will evaluate the applications based on several criteria, including the project's alignment with program goals, community-based involvement, strength of the project framework, communication plan, impact scale, technical/scientific merit, and applicant experience. Applications must meet a minimum score of 65% to be considered for funding.
Notification and Project Execution
Successful applicants will be notified by April 12, 2024, and must enter into a funding agreement with IAF. Project activities requiring funding cannot commence until the agreement is signed. Communication materials funded by the program need prior approval from the IAF communications team before public distribution. Any changes to the approved project must be approved by IAF in writing, and program participants are required to submit a final report upon project completion.
The Bee BC Program is an essential initiative to support the health of bee populations in British Columbia. By providing funding for innovative and community-based projects, the program aims to enhance bee health practices, promote sustainable beekeeping, and contribute to the greater environmental and agricultural ecosystem. Eligible participants are encouraged to apply within the designated application window and to carefully plan and execute their projects to meet the program's goals and requirements.
