AAPA

Awards

Dear AAPA members,

The AAPA Awards Committee is pleased to announce the 2027 award cycle. Applications are now open for:

  • ABRC Student & Postdoctoral Travel Award
  • AAPA Exceptional Student Award
  • AAPA Extension Activities Award

These awards are made possible through the generous support of Project Apis m. through their Bee Health Collective and Apiary inspectors of America AIA. Bee Health Collective is a collaborative initiative that brings together growers, beekeepers, researchers and industry partners to advance practical, science-based solutions that promote honey bee health. Learn more at www.beehealthcollective.org and www.projectapism.org. AIA is a non-profit organization established with a mission to promote sustainable and healthy beekeeping conditions in North America. Learn more at Apiary Inspectors of America.

Please note that now we are awarding one postdoc and one graduate student travel award! For the Exceptional Student Award, there is the potential that separate awards will be given to different student categories (undergraduate/master’s/PhD) depending on the number and quality of applications. These awards are in addition to those given out during ABRC which are based on oral and poster presentations.

  • ABRC Student and Postdoc Travel Award applications are due 7 August 2026. These award decisions will by September 2026, prior to the ABRC registration deadline on 16 October 2026.
  • AAPA Exceptional Student Award and AAPA Extension Activities Award applications are also due 7 August 2026. These winners will be announced at the ABRC meeting.

Please see the sections below for more information and application instructions. Contact Daiana De Souza () with any additional questions or concerns.

Be sure to share this information with all relevant students and postdocs. We look forward to your applications!

Sincerely,
AAPA Awards Committee

Daiana De Souza
Julia Fine
Garett Slater

2027 AAPA Award Opportunities

ABRC Student & Postdoctoral Travel Award

Expand for submission guidelines

Awarding one Post-doc and one Grad Student

Deadline: August 7, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)

Overview

This award supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers traveling to the American Beekeeping Research Conference (ABRC).

  • Up to $1,000 for travel expenses
  • Complimentary conference registration
  • Awards granted to one graduate student and one postdoc

Awardees are expected to present their research and attend the AAPA business meeting.

Sponsors

This award is made possible through the generous support of Project Apis m. through their Bee Health Collective. Bee Health Collective is a collaborative initiative that brings together growers, beekeepers, researchers and industry partners to advance practical, science-based solutions that promote honey bee health. Learn more at www.beehealthcollective.org and www.projectapism.org.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be AAPA members
  • Be a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher
  • Be affiliated with a North American university or government laboratory
  • Conduct research related to Apis (honey bees)

Application Requirements

Submit one PDF including:

  1. Title page (name, contact info, career stage)
  2. CV (max 2 pages)
  3. Statement of Significance (max 1 page), including:
    • Research to be presented at ABRC
    • Importance and impact of the work
    • Professional development benefits
    • Value to AAPA/ABRC and the field

Letter of Recommendation

  • One required, submitted separately
  • Should address the applicant’s qualifications and benefits of attending ABRC

Submission Instructions

Email materials to: Daiana De Souza ()
Subject line: “ABRC Travel Award Application – Last Name”

Deadline for applications: 7 August 2026

Use of Funds

  • Eligible: travel, lodging, reasonable per diem
  • Registration covered by AAPA separately
  • Reimbursement provided after the conference (with receipts)

Evaluation Criteria

  • Significance and impact of research
  • Benefit of conference participation to applicant and field
  • CV and recommendation letter

AAPA Exceptional Student Award

Expand for submission guidelines

Deadline: August 7, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)

Overview

The AAPA Exceptional Student Award recognizes outstanding student research in apiculture. Each award includes a $1,000 stipend and recognition at the following year’s AAPA conference.

Awards may be presented at the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels, with applicants evaluated within their degree category. Recipients are not eligible to receive this award again at the same degree level but may apply in a future degree program.

Sponsors

This award is made possible through the generous support of Project Apis m. through their Bee Health Collective and Apiary Inspector of America. Bee Health Collective is a collaborative initiative that brings together growers, beekeepers, researchers and industry partners to advance practical, science-based solutions that promote honey bee health. Learn more at www.beehealthcollective.org and www.projectapism.org. AIA is a non-profit organization established with a mission to promote sustainable and healthy beekeeping conditions in North America. Learn more at Apiary Inspectors of America.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be current AAPA members
  • Be an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited North American institution or government laboratory
  • Conduct research related to Honey bees (Apis mellifera)
  • Apply within 12 months of completing or leaving their program

Application Requirements

Submit one combined PDF including:

  1. Title page (name, contact information, degree level)
  2. CV (max 2 pages; highlight research, publications, outreach, teaching, leadership, and service)
  3. Research summary (max 2 pages; include significance and impact)
  4. Up to 3 supporting documents (e.g., publications, manuscripts, abstracts)

File name format: LastName_FirstName_AAPAStudentAward.pdf

Letters of Recommendation

  • Two letters required
  • Submitted separately as PDFs
  • Should emphasize the applicant’s independence, research contributions, and scholarly achievements

Submission Instructions

Email all materials to: Daiana De Souza ()
Subject line: “AAPA Exceptional Student Award Application – Last Name”

Deadline for applications: 7 August 2026

Evaluation Criteria

  • Research overview (30 pts) – Research impact (10 pts)
  • Professional and community service (20 pts)
  • Recommendation letters (10 pts, 2 letters are required)
  • Scholarly achievements/publication record (20 pts)
  • Application quality/format (10 pts)

AAPA Extension Activities Award

Expand for submission guidelines

Deadline: August 7, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)

Overview

This award supports the development of extension and outreach activities that deliver research-based knowledge to stakeholders and the public.

Awards of up to $1,000 may be used for:

  • Supplies
  • Assistant salaries and benefits
  • Development of outreach or extension materials

Not eligible: travel costs or indirect/overhead expenses.

Sponsors

This award is made possible through the generous support of Project Apis m. through their Bee Health Collective. Bee Health Collective is a collaborative initiative that brings together growers, beekeepers, researchers and industry partners to advance practical, science-based solutions that promote honey bee health. Learn more at www.beehealthcollective.org and www.projectapism.org.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be an AAPA member
  • Be affiliated with an accredited North American university or government lab
  • Conduct work related to Apis (honey bees)
  • Eligible applicants include students, postdocs, faculty, and extension professionals.

Application Package

Submit one PDF containing:

  1. Title page (name, position, affiliation, contact information)
  2. Project summary (max 2 pages) including:
    1. Objectives
    1. Significance (target audience and impact)
    1. Methods
  3. Budget & justification (max 1 page)
  4. CV (max 4 pages)
  5. Up to 2 letters of recommendation
    1. One letter from a stakeholder group is encouraged
    1. Student applicants should include a letter from their advisor

Submission Instructions

Email application to: Daiana De Souza ()
Subject line: “AAPA Extension Activities Award Proposal – Last Name”

Post-Award Requirements

  • Funds are distributed after award announcement
  • A final report is due within 1 year
  • Unused funds must be returned
  • Reports may be shared with AAPA or presented at the annual meeting

Evaluation Criteria

  • Significance and impact – 40 pts
  • Proposal quality (objectives & methods) – 40 pts
  • Recommendation letters – 10 pts
  • Likelihood of success – 10 pts

Grading rubric scores and constructive comments from judges will be sent back to applicants upon request after awards have been announced.

Previous AAPA Awards & Award Recipients

Visit our Previous Awards page to see prior award recipients and learn about awards no longer conferred by the AAPA.

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