Since 2005, the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees has awarded scholarships to allow graduate students in apiculture. The Foundation will again offer four $5,000 scholarships to apiculture graduate students in 2024. The purpose of this scholarship program is to foster professional development of emerging apicultural scientists by allowing award recipients to attend the 2024 American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) Conference & Tradeshow in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Affiliated with the ABF, the Foundation is a charitable organization focused on making funding available for research and educational endeavors within the beekeeping industry. It has benefited tremendously from many generous gifts, including the estates of Glenn and Gertrude Overturf and Margaret and Victor Thompson, and continues to be sustained by ongoing gifts from ABF members and other supportive donors.

Graduate students currently enrolled in a university and studying any aspect of honey bees, bee husbandry, and/or the apiculture industry are eligible to apply for one of the scholarships being offered. Each award recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship check, and moreover, the foundation will reimburse conference travel and lodging expenses. During the 2024 ABF Conference & Tradeshow, graduate students will have the opportunity to meet the Foundation Board of Trustees, as well as fellow researchers and beekeepers, and will be invited to present their research during the event’s Foundation Luncheon.

Scholarship applications will open in August 2023.