2027 Bee Grant Program: Up to $2,000 and Educational Hive Support for Schools and Nonprofit Organizations

The 2027 Bee Grant Program is now open for applications, providing schools and nonprofit organizations with an opportunity to establish, expand, or strengthen educational honey bee programs for students in grades K–12. The program is designed to bring pollinator education to life through hands-on experiences with live honey bee hives, classroom resources, curriculum materials, and other educational support.

The Bee Grant is offered through The Bee Cause Project and Whole Kids, with support from the Whole Foods Market Foundation. It is intended to help educators create meaningful learning experiences that connect students with honey bees, pollinators, environmental conservation, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

For eligible schools and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada, the program can provide either a monetary grant or equipment support for developing an educational bee program. Previous Bee Grant recipients may also apply for the separate Renewal Bee Grant, which provides funding and additional program support for continuing and improving existing bee education initiatives.

Applications for both the Traditional Bee Grant and Renewal Bee Grant open on September 1 and close on October 31.

What Is the 2027 Bee Grant Program?

The Bee Grant Program is an educational initiative that helps schools and nonprofit organizations introduce students to the world of honey bees and pollinators.

Rather than limiting bee education to textbooks or conventional classroom lessons, the program encourages hands-on learning through educational hive programs. Students can observe bees, learn about pollination, explore ecosystems, understand environmental stewardship, and develop practical knowledge about the role pollinators play in food systems and natural environments.

Grant recipients can receive financial or equipment assistance to establish or improve their bee programs. In addition, educators gain access to curriculum materials, lesson plans, digital learning resources, and other tools designed to support the integration of pollinator education into the learning environment.

The program is particularly relevant to schools and organizations interested in creating long-term environmental education programs rather than one-time classroom activities.

Who Is Behind the Bee Grant?

The program is brought to educators through The Bee Cause Project and Whole Kids, with support from the Whole Foods Market Foundation.

The Bee Cause Project is dedicated to pollinator education and preservation and works to help students and educators understand the importance of bees and other pollinators.

Through the Bee Grant, participating schools and organizations can create educational experiences that make pollinator science more accessible and practical for students.

What Does the 2027 Bee Grant Provide?

The support available through the program depends on whether an organization applies for the Traditional Bee Grant or Renewal Bee Grant.

For new applicants, the Traditional Bee Grant offers two primary grant options:

1. Monetary Grant

Eligible new applicants can apply for a $2,000 monetary grant to help build and support a live bee education program.

The funding can help an institution develop the infrastructure and activities necessary to establish a meaningful educational bee program.

2. Equipment Grant

Applicants may also choose an Equipment Grant, which includes:

• An indoor observation hive
• A $1,000 stipend

An indoor observation hive provides students with an opportunity to observe honey bees and learn about hive activity in an educational setting.

This type of equipment can serve as a long-term teaching resource, allowing educators to incorporate bee-related lessons into science, environmental studies, STEAM education, and other areas of the curriculum.

Traditional Bee Grant for New Applicants

The Traditional Bee Grant is specifically intended for new applicants.

It is available to K–12 schools and nonprofit organizations serving students in grades K–12 that are interested in starting a new live bee program or strengthening an existing educational bee program.

Applicants can select between the monetary and equipment options depending on their program needs.

Traditional Bee Grant Options at a Glance

Grant option	Support provided
Monetary Grant	$2,000 to build and support a live bee program
Equipment Grant	Indoor Observation Hive plus $1,000 stipend

The Traditional Bee Grant can therefore be useful for institutions that are at different stages of developing their bee education activities.

A school starting from the beginning may need financial resources to build its program, while another institution may benefit more from having an indoor observation hive that can be incorporated directly into classroom learning.

What Is the Renewal Bee Grant?

The Renewal Bee Grant is designed specifically for previous Bee Grant recipients.

Unlike the Traditional Bee Grant, which is intended for new applicants, the Renewal Bee Grant helps existing Bee Grant programs continue developing their educational bee initiatives.

Previous recipients can use the funding to strengthen, expand, or refresh their existing bee programs.

Renewal Grant recipients receive a $2,000 monetary grant to support the continued growth and development of their Bee Program.

Who Can Apply for the Renewal Bee Grant?

To qualify for the Renewal Bee Grant, an applicant must meet specific previous-recipient requirements.

Applicants must have:

• Received a Traditional Bee Grant from the Whole Foods Market Foundation in 2025 or earlier.
• Completed the required Bee Grant Progress Report.

An important feature of the Renewal Bee Grant is that live bees are not required in order to apply.

This means previous grant recipients can seek renewal support even if their current program does not have live bees at the time of application.

Additional Support Available to Renewal Grant Recipients

The Renewal Bee Grant goes beyond financial assistance. Recipients can also benefit from additional resources intended to help them maintain and improve their educational bee programs.

One-on-One Program Consultation

Renewal recipients receive personalized support from The Bee Cause Project.

This consultation can assist with areas such as:

• Program development
• Technical questions
• Program planning
• Beekeeping guidance where applicable
• Strategies for strengthening the educational value of the program

This support can be particularly useful for organizations that have already established a bee program but want guidance on maintaining or expanding it.

Educator Resource Pack

Renewal Grant recipients also receive an educator resource package containing practical materials to support a strong and sustainable Bee Program.

Resources can include:

• Standards-aligned lessons and activities
• Digital learning experiences
• Budgeting and planning tools
• Community engagement opportunities
• Additional educational resources

These materials can help educators connect bee education to broader learning objectives and create a more structured long-term program.

How the Bee Grant Supports STEAM Education

One of the central educational benefits of the Bee Grant is its connection to STEAM learning.

Students can use the study of honey bees and pollinators to explore concepts across multiple academic areas, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

For example, students may learn about:

• Pollination and plant reproduction
• Honey bee behavior
• Ecosystems and biodiversity
• Environmental conservation
• Agricultural systems
• Habitat development
• Observation and data collection
• Problem-solving
• Scientific inquiry
• Sustainable environmental practices

Because students can interact with a real or observation-based hive environment, educators have opportunities to connect theoretical lessons with practical experiences.

Educational Resources for Bee Grant Applicants

The Bee Cause Project provides resources that can help educators prepare for and develop their bee programs.

The organization recommends building an educational foundation before introducing live bees.

Its Back to School Bee Program provides resources that can be used by educators at different levels of experience, including educators who are completely new to bee education.

The resources are designed to support distance learning, include teacher companion guides, and are mapped to educational standards.

Step One: Educate

The first recommended step is to establish a strong educational foundation.

The Bee Cause Project recommends educators begin with its How to Grow Your Bee Program guide before implementing the Six Week Bee Unit.

The Six Week Bee Unit provides educational materials such as:

• Standards-aligned lessons
• Teacher guides
• Flashcards
• Literature circle prompts

These resources can help students develop an understanding of bees and pollinators before the institution introduces or expands a live bee program.

Step Two: Build a Bee Club

The second recommended step is to establish a Bee Club.

A Bee Club can provide structure for students, educators, and members of the wider school community who want to learn more about bees.

It can serve as a platform for activities such as:

• Bee-related book discussions
• Pollinator education
• Campus habitat development
• Learning about beekeeping
• Student-led environmental activities
• Community engagement

Creating a Bee Club can also help an institution build broader support for its bee program.

Step Three: Connect With the Community

The Bee Cause Project encourages schools and organizations to connect their bee programs with their surrounding communities.

Potential community connections can include:

• 4-H agents
• Local beekeeper associations
• Farmers
• Parents
• Educators
• Environmental organizations
• Other community members with knowledge of pollinators

Community members can participate through in-person visits, educational sessions, and digital field trips.

These interactions can provide students with perspectives beyond the classroom while helping families and community members better understand pollinators and the purpose of the school’s bee program.

Step Four: Expand Pollinator Habitat

A successful bee program is not only about keeping bees. The Bee Cause Project also emphasizes the importance of healthy habitat.

Schools and organizations can explore ways to create environments that support pollinators.

This may involve:

• Developing native pollinator gardens
• Improving campus habitat
• Planting appropriate vegetation
• Teaching students about local ecosystems
• Learning how pollinators interact with plants
• Creating educational conservation projects

The Bee a Friend to Pollinators lesson plan can help educators introduce students to the relationship between pollinators and their surrounding habitats.

Preparing for the 2027 Bee Grant Application

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing before submitting their final applications.

The Bee Cause Project makes previous application materials available as planning resources so prospective applicants can understand the type of information they may need to provide.

For the Traditional Bee Grant, applicants can review the previous 2026 Traditional Bee Grant application while preparing for the 2027 application cycle.

However, applicants should note that the previous application is provided as a preparation tool. All final 2027 Bee Grant applications must be submitted online.

Applicants should therefore avoid relying solely on a downloaded or previous-year application and should complete the official application through the designated online platform.

How to Apply for the 2027 Bee Grant

Applications are submitted online through the SmartSimple platform.

The general application process involves accessing the online platform, registering the school or organization, and completing the relevant Bee Grant application.

Applicants should make sure they select the appropriate grant type:

1. Traditional Bee Grant for eligible new applicants.
2. Renewal Bee Grant for qualifying previous Bee Grant recipients.

Applicants should also prepare the information and materials needed to explain their educational bee program and how the grant support will contribute to their students and organization.

2027 Bee Grant Application Deadline

The application period for both the Traditional Bee Grant and Renewal Bee Grant opens on September 1 and closes on October 31.

Applicants should submit their completed applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

Because online application platforms can experience technical issues or require additional registration steps, organizations interested in the grant may benefit from beginning the application process early.

Bee Grant Application Webinars and Information Sessions

The Bee Cause Project provides webinars and informational resources to help prospective applicants understand the program.

The 2027 Bee Grant Overview Webinar covers areas such as:

• Eligibility
• Grant costs
• Application timelines
• Program information
• Other important considerations for applicants

The organization also provides access to previous Bee Grant webinars and question-and-answer resources to help applicants prepare for the grant season.

Prospective applicants should also monitor the Bee Cause Project’s official channels for announcements concerning current-year webinars and live Q&A sessions.

Important Considerations for Applicants

Before applying, schools and nonprofit organizations should carefully consider the practical requirements of running an educational bee program.

These may include:

• Identifying educators who will oversee the program
• Establishing appropriate safety procedures
• Determining where educational hive equipment will be located
• Planning how students will interact with the program
• Identifying potential local beekeeping or community partners
• Developing lessons around the hive
• Considering habitat and environmental needs
• Planning how the program can be sustained beyond the grant period

For applicants pursuing a new bee program, planning is particularly important because the grant represents an opportunity to establish an educational initiative that can continue serving students over time.

APPLY HERE

Why Schools May Consider Developing a Bee Education Program

A live or observation-based bee program can provide a learning environment where students engage directly with environmental topics.

Rather than studying pollination solely through textbooks, students can observe aspects of a working hive and use those observations as a basis for classroom discussion and inquiry.

A school bee program can potentially support:

• Environmental education
• Conservation awareness
• STEAM learning
• Experiential learning
• Student engagement
• Community participation
• Pollinator habitat development
• Long-term sustainability education

The program can also help students understand the connection between pollinators, plants, agriculture, ecosystems, and human communities.

Visit HERE to learn more about the 2027 Bee Grant Program.

Conclusion

The 2027 Bee Grant Program provides schools and nonprofit organizations with an opportunity to introduce students to honey bees, pollinators, environmental conservation, and hands-on STEAM learning.

The Traditional Bee Grant offers new applicants a choice between a $2,000 monetary grant and an equipment package consisting of an indoor observation hive and a $1,000 stipend. Meanwhile, previous qualifying Bee Grant recipients can apply for the Renewal Bee Grant, which provides $2,000 along with program consultation and educator resources.

Beyond the financial and equipment support, the program provides access to educational materials, lesson plans, digital learning resources, planning tools, and other resources that can help educators build a structured and sustainable bee education program.

Eligible schools and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada should take note of the application timeline. Applications for the 2027 Traditional and Renewal Bee Grants open on September 1 and close on October 31.

Organizations interested in applying should review the available preparation resources, determine which grant option applies to them, prepare their program information, and complete the final application through the official online SmartSimple platform before the deadline.

For more global grant opportunities visit OFY HERE