Bee BC Program

There will be one annual application window for the Bee BC program. Applications will be accepted through the IAF Client Portal. Applications will be evaluated using a competitive process. Please review the material in this guide, especially the evaluation criteria. During the application window, IAF staff are available to answer any questions regarding eligible activities and costs. Please send any inquiries to beebc@iafbc.ca

The program assists regional or community-based beekeeping associations, beekeepers with permitted hives and First Nations in undertaking small-scale or community-based projects that contribute to the overall health of bees in the province.

Eligible Participants

To be considered eligible for this Program, applicants must be:

• Regional / community beekeeping associations or groups
• Beekeepers with permitted hives
• Groups of beekeepers with permitted hives
• First Nations / Indigenous Peoples Organizations

Eligible Activities

Eligible activities include the research, exploration, field-testing, implementation and sharing of best practices and techniques to promote healthy bee colonies and the implementation of best management practices related to bee disease monitoring, response and treatment.

Note: both conventional and new/innovative bee health best management practices are eligible. Examples of eligible activities include:

• The purchasing of a new piece of equipment and implementing it into your bee health strategy
• Implementing a best management practice such as beehive equipment irradiation
• Introducing pollen substitutes and/or supplements into your bee health strategy
• Seeding and planting new bee forage that offers nectar and pollen.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs are those that are incurred for researching, exploring and/or field testing a conventional or new management strategy for bee health. Examples of eligible costs include:

• Costs for new equipment, technology that enhance 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

Please note: Communication materials including social media, must be submitted to the IAF Client Portal for Funding Acknowledgment approval before being shared with the public. If you have any questions about funding acknowledgements and approvals, please contact our Communications Team at communications@iafbc.ca or visit the Bee BC Project Resource Hub.

Ineligible Activities and Costs

Activities:

Ineligible activities include projects that are not directly focused on bee health, or the regular or on-going maintenance of bee colonies. Examples of ineligible activities include:

• Regular activities related to commercial honey production
• Business development activities; defined as activities that are directed towards generating income during the life of the project / or after the project completion.
• Marketing, promotional or market development activities
• the purchase of standard equipment to maintain a bee colony

Costs:

The following activities and costs are not eligible for reimbursement. For clarification on items not listed below, please contact program staff.

• Any cost not specifically required for the execution of a project
• Normal costs of establishing or maintaining a bee colony or commercial honey operation, including costs associated with the purchasing of bees and costs associated with maintaining compliance with requirements of law that pertain to current business operations
• Queen bee rearing as an income generating enterprise
• Beekeeper and/or staff wages, salaries, benefits, stipends, etc.
• Purchase of land, building and facilities
• Lease of land, buildings and facilities
• Financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees, and charges
• Any cost, including a tax that is eligible for a rebate, credit or refund (including a refundable portion of the Government Sales Tax)
• Gifts and incentives
• Permits and approvals
• Legal fees
• Costs incurred before the approval of the project or after the project completion date
• Costs related to activities that directly influence or lobby any level of government

Important Dates

Applicants must schedule project activities within the program funding cycle: July 15, 2023, to February 29, 2024. Applications are evaluated using a competitive process.

There is one annual application window. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. All applications received by the deadline will be collectively reviewed and evaluated based on merit. The application timelines for the 2023 – 24 fiscal year are as follows:

• Application Window: May 29 – June 30, 2023
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2023 at 16:30 PST
• Project Start Date: July 15, 2023

Applications will be accepted through the IAF Client Portal and will be evaluated using a competitive process. Please review the material in this guide, especially the evaluation criteria.

After the application window has closed, the IAF team will meet to review applications and make funding decisions. Rest assured your application will be considered by knowledgeable industry peers.

Note: Only top scoring applications will receive funding and project funding is capped at $7,000 per project. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Program Timeline

Need help with IAF’s Client Portal?

We’ve created a number of tutorials and FAQs about the IAF Client Portal to help you navigate this resource successfully.

Have a Current Project?

Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.