Closed
Honey Bee Health Initiative
Cost-share support for healthy bee colonies
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open Date : June 3, 2024
- Closing date : January 24, 2025
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program provides 50% cost-share funding up to $25,000 for registered commercial beekeepers and $4,500 for registered hobbyist beekeepers. It supports bee health projects such as biosecurity improvements, equipment modifications, pest and disease testing, and the purchase of healthy bee stock.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase production or service capacity
- Implement environmental initiatives
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : June 3, 2024
- Closing date : January 24, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Operational improvements to reduce biosecurity risks and overwinter losses
- Equipment or facility upgrades to improve hive health management
- Best management practices to prevent pest and disease spread
- Sampling and analysis for pests and diseases
- Purchase of healthy bee stock or queens
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Valid Bees Act registration certificate
- Proof of recent bee pest management training or beekeeping diploma
- Quotes or proposals for proposed activities
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Ontario beekeepers
- Registered commercial beekeepers
- Registered hobbyist beekeepers
Eligible expenses
- Bee health testing and pest monitoring
- Beehive equipment and hive management modifications
- Honey house and freezing facility upgrades for biosecurity
- Healthy bee stock, queens, nuclei, and packages
- Limited in-kind labour and equipment use
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Routine operating costs and annual service fees
- Basic research and training tied to academic credentials
- Travel, meals, hospitality, and sponsorships
- Land, buildings, leases, permits, taxes, legal fees, financing charges, and bank fees
- Items or services not directly tied to eligible project activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed only if complete and eligible.
- OSCIA issues an approval or partial approval letter for successful applications.
- Claims are paid only after the project is complete, operational, and fully paid.
- Projects may be inspected before claim payment.
- Claims must follow the instructions in the approval letter and program guide.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted only during open intake periods.
- Funding is allocated on a continuous basis while funds remain available.
- Approved applicants must submit claims with supporting invoices and proof of payment.
- Projects may be inspected before claim payment.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Honey Bee Health Initiative Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Honey Bee Health Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Honey Bee Health Initiative?
This program provides 50% cost-share funding up to $25,000 for registered commercial beekeepers and $4,500 for registered hobbyist beekeepers. It supports bee health projects such as biosecurity improvements, equipment modifications, pest and disease testing, and the purchase of healthy bee stock.
How much funding can be received?
Honey Bee Health Initiative Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 24, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Honey Bee Health Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Honey Bee Health Initiative program, you must:
Valid Ontario beekeeper registration.
At least 10 registered colonies.
Required bee health training or diploma.
What expenses are eligible under Honey Bee Health Initiative?
Operational improvements to reduce biosecurity risks and overwinter losses
Equipment or facility upgrades to improve hive health management
Best management practices to prevent pest and disease spread
Sampling and analysis for pests and diseases
Purchase of healthy bee stock or queens
Who can I contact for more information about the Honey Bee Health Initiative?
You can contact Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) by email at s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org or by phone at 519-826-4214.
Where is the Honey Bee Health Initiative available?
The Honey Bee Health Initiative program is available the province of Ontario.