British Beekeepers Association
At a glance
Key takeaways
- This charity suits research that benefits bees and beekeeping, especially work that is directly and practically relevant to beekeepers, and it is of particular interest where a proposal addresses current or emerging threats such as the Yellow-legged Asian Hornet, Tropilaelaps and Small Hive Beetle.
- Its research support has traditionally gone to academic work, though it has also backed individuals on citizen-science projects, and it works with UK universities and institutes, so a proposal should be designed to work with a UK research partner.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through an application form, and with the charity spending approximately £30,000 a year on bee-related research, a request should be sized to that.
- Do not apply if your researchers are based outside the UK, if the work develops a commercial product, or if it concerns new beekeeping equipment, feed or treatment products, as the charity excludes these.
Overview
British Beekeepers Association is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1185343).
The British Beekeepers Association is a charity whose object is to advance the education of the public and beekeepers in the craft of beekeeping and to promote the importance of bees in the environment. It supports around 30,000 beekeepers. It spends approximately £30,000 each year supporting bee-related research through its Research, Technology and Environment (RTE) Committee.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The BBKA funds wide-ranging research that benefits bees and beekeeping, including work on bee behaviour, bee husbandry, pollination, forage and the environment. Its research support has traditionally focused on academic work, while it has also supported individuals undertaking citizen-science projects. It works in conjunction with UK research establishments, usually universities and other institutes, and does not fund overseas researchers. The BBKA welcomes outputs that are directly and practically relevant to its members; proposals addressing and mitigating current and emerging threats are of particular interest, including threats such as the Yellow-legged Asian Hornet, Tropilaelaps and Small Hive Beetle.
Themes
- Bee behaviour
- Bee husbandry
- Pollination
- Forage
- Environment
Geographic Focus
UK.
What they don't fund
- Development of a commercial product. Typically, this would be development of a product to a high degree of technical readiness. Support could be considered in the early stages of technological development, provided it aligns with our charitable objective
- New equipment for beekeeping, new feed or treatment products
- Researchers located outside of the UK. Being a UK organisation, comprising an association of UK beekeeping associations, we do not financially support international research
- Projects that do not support the BBKA’s objective
How to apply
Researchers with a proposal they believe would be of interest to the BBKA apply for funding by completing an application form.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- The BBKA considers topics that benefit bees and beekeeping.
- The RTE Committee welcomes outputs that are directly and practically relevant to BBKA members.
- Applications addressing and providing mitigation to current and emerging threats are of particular interest.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to British Beekeepers Association.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 30 September 2021 | £870,844 | £800,144 | — | Accounts for year to 30 September 2021 |
| year to 30 September 2022 | £1,000,788 | £907,201 | — | Accounts for year to 30 September 2022 |
| year to 30 September 2023 | £995,342 | £1,016,362 | — | Accounts for year to 30 September 2023 |
| year to 30 September 2024 | £1,030,846 | £1,052,404 | — | Accounts for year to 30 September 2024 |
| year to 30 September 2025 | £1,080,319 | £1,091,798 | — | Accounts for year to 30 September 2025 |
— No grants figure for those years.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- bbka.org.uk
- bbka.org.uk/Pages/Category/universities · read on 30 October 2026
- bbka.org.uk/researchers · read on 30 October 2026
- bbka.org.uk/who-we-are? · read on 30 October 2026
- bbka.org.uk/the-difference-you-make · read on 30 October 2026
- bbka.org.uk/Pages/Contact.aspx · read on 30 October 2026
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to British Beekeepers Association?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Applying to British Beekeepers Association?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required