Eva Crane Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £130,000-£160,000 (recent years)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (selective)
• Decision Time: 8 weeks from deadline
• Grant Range: Up to £5,000 (September round); up to £30,000 (March round)
• Geographic Focus: International (30+ countries supported)
• Total Awarded: Over £1 million in past 20 years

Contact Details

Website: www.evacranetrust.org

Email: mail@evacranetrust.org

Phone: 07786 955046

Postal Address: The Administrator, Eva Crane Trust, c/o Royds Withy King, 5-6 Northumberland Buildings, Queens Square, Bath, BA1 2JE, United Kingdom

Application Support: The Trust provides guidance at each stage via their web portal, with additional support available through the Trust's administrator, Sarah.

Overview

The Eva Crane Trust was established in 2002 by Dr. Eva Crane, a renowned nuclear physicist turned apiculturist who became one of the 20th century's greatest writers on bees and beekeeping. Following Dr. Crane's death in 2007, the Trust received her estate (£2.78 million) and was re-registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2017. The Trust's mission is to “advance the understanding of all species of bees and beekeeping by the collection, collation and dissemination of science and research worldwide.” Over the past 20 years, the Trust has awarded over £1 million in grants, supporting 80+ projects across more than 30 countries in the past decade. In 2022, the Trust received the International Bee Research Association's Historical Collection and Bee Boles Register, further expanding its role in preserving beekeeping heritage.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates four distinct grant categories through an online application system:

• Form A: Science - Academic and scientific research on all bee species (up to £30,000 for March deadline; up to £5,000 for September deadline)
• Form B: Citizen Science - Community-based bee research projects (same limits apply)
• Form C: Events - Academic conferences, symposia, and networking events related to apiology (same limits apply)
• Form D: Books - Publication costs for specialist bee-related books (same limits apply)

Application Schedule: Two annual deadlines - 15 March (higher limit) and 15 September (£5,000 maximum). Application portals open 6 weeks before each deadline. Trustees meet quarterly to review applications.

Note on Grant Amounts: Applications over £30,000 require external review. The Trust rarely commits to projects exceeding £30,000 and particularly favors “pump priming funding” - start-up funding without which a project might not otherwise launch.

Priority Areas

The Trust prioritizes projects that:

• Advance bee science (apiology) - Research that improves understanding of all bee species, not just honeybees
• Feature innovation and originality - Projects employing novel investigative methods or approaches
• Have strong dissemination plans - Research findings must be published in peer-reviewed journals or made widely available to improve apicultural practice internationally
• Support emerging researchers - Graduate and post-graduate students, particularly those who have received initial fellowships but need additional support
• Match-funded projects - The Trust favors applications demonstrating co-funding from other sources

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• Microplastics effects on bee health, behavior, and cognition
• Automatic recognition of bumblebee species from their buzzes
• RFID technology to track red mason bees in commercial orchards
• Ethnobiological study of stingless bees and Amazonian people in Peru
• Maya stingless beekeeping (Meliponiculture) in Mexico
• Crowdsourcing honey bee waggle dance data to map forage availability
• Bees in 19th-century literature and science
• EurBee 10 conference in Estonia
• Host-driven temperature dependence of Deformed wing virus infection
• Quantum physics applications to track pollen grains

What They Don't Fund

The Trust explicitly excludes:

• Retrospective funding - Costs already incurred before grant approval
• Commercial enterprises - Projects seeking funds for ventures leading to commercial gain
• Standalone travel fees - Travel costs must be part of a larger research project
• Academic chairs - Endowed positions or professorships
• Core organizational funding - General operating costs for institutions
• Basic beekeeping initiatives - Non-research beekeeping activities without a scientific component

Ready to write a winning application for Eva Crane Trust?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

The Eva Crane Trust is governed by a board of six trustees who meet quarterly to manage the Trust's affairs and make funding decisions.

Chairman: Richard Jones

Richard was a head teacher before moving into international public relations and fundraising, which brought him to the International Bee Research Association (IBRA) in 1996. He emphasizes the Trust's commitment to “promoting the work of the Trust” and continuing Eva Crane's mission of advancing bee research and understanding.

Vice Chairman: Prof. Dr. Dirk de Graaf

Appointed to the board in 2019, Prof. de Graaf has been Professor of Insect Physiology and Pathology and Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Entomology and Bee Pathology at Ghent University, Belgium since 2014.

Board Composition: The Board comprises scientists with knowledge and expertise in research methods employed in studying bee activities, as well as members who worked with Eva Crane and understand her aspirations in establishing the Trust.

Honorary Members: Clementine Smith (served 2015-2024) and Penny (retired April 2025) maintain connections as Honorary Trustees after their active service.

Administrator: Sarah has served as the part-time Administrator since 2014, acting as the main point of contact for enquiries and providing operational support for the Trustees.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Online System Required: All applications must be submitted through the Eva Crane Trust's online application portal at www.evacranetrust.org. Applications sent by post or email are not accepted.

Before You Apply:

1. Read the “Application Criteria and Guidelines” thoroughly
2. Register on the Trust's submission platform
3. Determine which of the four grant categories (Science, Citizen Science, Events, or Books) best fits your project
4. Ensure your project aligns with the Trust's principal objectives

PhD Students: Applications from PhD students must be accompanied by a detailed letter of support from their supervisor, covering both the student and the project. In exceptional cases, the Trust may provide first-year project stipends.

Application Portal: Opens 6 weeks before each deadline. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances.

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: Midnight GMT on 15 March or 15 September
• Review Period: Trustees critically review applications, including referee reports and responses to trustee queries
• Decision Notification: Within 8 weeks of the application deadline
• Grant Agreement: Successful applicants must sign a grant agreement before funds are released

Success Rates

The Trust does not publicly disclose its success rates, number of applications received, or approval percentages. However, their guidance notes indicate a selective process:

• The Trust states that “reapplication or resubmission of a previously rejected grant application is unlikely to succeed,” suggesting thorough initial consideration
• With annual giving of approximately £130,000-£160,000 and projects ranging from small grants to £30,000, the Trust likely funds 10-30 projects per year
• The requirement for external review on projects over £30,000 indicates careful scrutiny of larger requests

Reapplication Policy

Important: The Trust explicitly states that “the reapplication or resubmission of a previously rejected grant application is unlikely to succeed.” This indicates:

• Applicants should ensure their first submission is as strong as possible
• Rejected applications should be substantially revised or redirected rather than resubmitted
• The Trust does not encourage minor revisions and reapplication

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's stated priorities and funded project examples, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Alignment with Core Objectives

The Trust emphasizes that projects must “benefit and/or improve understanding of bees” across all species. Successful projects go beyond honeybees to include bumblebees, stingless bees, solitary bees, and other pollinators.

2. Strong Intellectual and Strategic Rationale

The Trust looks for projects with clear strategic purpose and innovative approaches. Recent funded projects showcase this diversity: from quantum physics applications to tracking pollen grains, to ethnobiological studies of Maya stingless beekeeping, to automatic recognition of bumblebee species from their buzzes.

3. Pump Priming Potential

The Trust particularly favors “pump priming funding” - start-up funding without which a project might not get off the ground. Applications should clearly articulate how Trust funding will enable the project to launch and potentially attract additional funding.

4. International Dissemination Plans

Projects must include plans to disseminate outcomes internationally. For scientific research, this typically means publication in peer-reviewed journals. The Trust maintains a page of “ECT Funded Research Articles” showcasing published work, indicating the importance they place on research impact.

5. Match Funding and Leveraging

While not required, the Trust favors projects demonstrating co-funding from other sources. This shows broader support and increases the project's likelihood of success.

6. Emerging Researcher Support

The Trust specifically supports students starting research who have received initial fellowships. PhD students should emphasize supervisor support and how the grant will advance their early career development.

Recent Research Themes in Funded Projects:

• Microplastics impact on bee cognition and behavior (multiple studies 2023-2024)
• Technology applications (RFID tracking, quantum physics, retroreflector-based tracking)
• Cultural and historical dimensions of beekeeping
• Innovative species recognition and monitoring techniques
• Virus and pathogen research in bee populations
• Cross-cultural beekeeping practices

Post-Award Requirements:

• Sign grant agreement
• Provide progress reports (12-month progress report required for multi-year projects)
• Submit final report with financial accounting
• Acknowledge Trust support in all publications and materials

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize innovation and originality: The Trust explicitly prioritizes novel investigative research methods. Highlight what makes your approach unique.
• Think internationally: Funded projects span 30+ countries. Emphasize how your work will benefit global understanding of bees and include plans for international dissemination.
• Be interdisciplinary: Recent funded projects range from quantum physics to ethnobiology to 19th-century literature. Don't limit yourself to traditional apicultural approaches.
• Target the right deadline: Apply for the March deadline if you need more than £5,000; September grants are capped at £5,000 but may be less competitive.
• Show pump priming potential: Clearly articulate how Trust funding will enable your project to launch and potentially attract additional funding sources.
• Submit a polished first application: The Trust discourages resubmission of rejected applications, so ensure your initial submission is as strong as possible.
• Demonstrate dissemination commitment: Include specific plans for peer-reviewed publication or other methods to share findings widely within the apicultural community.

References

• Eva Crane Trust official website: www.evacranetrust.org
• “Apply For Funding” page: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/page/apply-for-funding
• “Guidelines for Applicants”: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/page/application-guidelines
• “About the Trust”: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/page/about-the-trust
• “Grant Portfolio”: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/category/grant-portfolio
• UK Charity Commission Register: Eva Crane Trust (Charity No. 1175343): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5094649
• “Grant Application Deadlines for 2026”: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/blog/post/grant-application-deadlines-for-2026
• “ECT Funded Research Articles”: https://www.evacranetrust.org/en/page/ect-funded-research-articles
• “The Eva Crane Trust welcomes a new Trustee”: https://coloss.org/news/446/