Schools and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada can now apply for the 2027 Bee Grant, a program that supports K–12 bee education through cash grants, equipment, and teaching resources. The grant is meant to help educators start new live bee programs or strengthen existing ones for students in grades K–12.
Key facts
- Applications are open for both the Traditional Bee Grant and the Renewal Bee Grant.
- New applicants can choose either a $2,000 monetary grant or an equipment grant with an indoor observation hive and a $1,000 stipend.
- Renewal Bee Grant applicants can receive $2,000 plus consultation and educator resources.
- The application window runs from September 1 to October 31.
- The program is offered through The Bee Cause Project and Whole Kids, with support from the Whole Foods Market Foundation.
What does this mean for students and schools?
The grant can help schools and nonprofits turn pollinator education into hands-on learning. Instead of only studying bees in textbooks, students can observe hive activity, learn about pollination, and connect those lessons to science, environmental stewardship, and STEAM subjects.
For new programs, the grant can provide either funding or equipment needed to get started. For existing Bee Grant recipients, the renewal option supports continued program development and does not require live bees at the time of application. The program is aimed at educators building long-term learning experiences rather than one-time lessons.
Who can apply for the Bee Grant?
The Traditional Bee Grant is for K–12 schools and nonprofit organizations serving students in grades K–12 that want to create or strengthen a live bee education program. The Renewal Bee Grant is for previous Bee Grant recipients who received a Traditional Bee Grant from the Whole Foods Market Foundation in 2025 or earlier and completed the required Bee Grant Progress Report.
What support is available?
New applicants can apply for a $2,000 monetary grant or an equipment package that includes an indoor observation hive and a $1,000 stipend. Renewal recipients receive a $2,000 monetary grant and additional support from The Bee Cause Project, including one-on-one program consultation and an educator resource pack with standards-aligned lessons, digital learning experiences, budgeting tools, and community engagement materials.
How do applicants prepare?
The Bee Cause Project recommends that educators build an educational foundation before introducing live bees. Its resources include a Back to School Bee Program, a How to Grow Your Bee Program guide, and a Six Week Bee Unit. The organization also encourages schools to form Bee Clubs, connect with local partners, and develop pollinator habitat such as native gardens.
When is the deadline?
Applications for both grant types open on September 1 and close on October 31. Applications are submitted online through the SmartSimple platform.
How much money can applicants get?
Eligible new applicants can request a $2,000 monetary grant, while renewal recipients can also receive $2,000. New applicants who choose the equipment route receive an indoor observation hive plus a $1,000 stipend.
Frequently asked questions
Can schools apply if they do not already have live bees?
Yes. Live bees are not required for the Renewal Bee Grant, and the program also supports new applicants who are building bee education programs from the ground up.
What kinds of learning does the program support?
The grant is designed to support pollinator education connected to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, as well as environmental conservation, ecosystems, and student observation.
