Imperiled Bombus Conservation Task Force
The decline of bumble bees can have significant ecological and economic consequences. Although, it is difficult to pinpoint the causes of the declines and there are many unanswered questions about basic biology and ecology of these species, there are actions that can help conserve these species. This group will explore the role of NAPPC in making positive contributions to Bombus conservation and how best to augment and boost ongoing recovery actions.
2024 Grant Session Now Open!
Call for Research Proposals Related to Imperiled Bombus Conservation
Email your proposal packets as a single PDF file to bombus@pollinator.org by 5 PM EST on January 31, 2024. Include in the subject of your e-mail: Category (i.e.: Not-for-profit NGO, MSc or PhD candidate, or Principal Investigator/post-doctoral fellow) AND Priority area(s) focus/foci.
For those who have applied: Proposals are being evaluated and funding notifications will be made by mid-March. If you have questions, please email bombus@pollinator.org.
DOWNLOAD THE SPANISH RFP
Photo by Anthony Colangelo
Background
Over the past 24 years, the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) has been an international force driving interest in the vital role and fragile status of native and managed pollinator species. NAPPC’s mission is to encourage the health of resident and migratory pollinating animals in North America. These pollinators are responsible for one-third of global food production. A yearly conference brings together experts from across the world to share knowledge, raise public awareness, promote constructive dialogue, and develop key partnerships to support research on pollinator species. Through the creation of specific task forces, NAPPC encourages experts and interested parties to come together and work on complex issues facing pollinators. One such task force is the Imperiled Bombus Conservation Task Force. Learn more at www.nappc.org.
The Imperiled Bombus Conservation Task Force is seeking proposals for research related to improving the recovery and persistence of imperiled Bombus species. Proposals should focus on evaluating the effects of stressors on bumble bees, enhancing knowledge of bumble bee historical/current geographical distribution, biology and ecology, contributing to improved monitoring practices, or utilizing emerging techniques to best conserve imperiled bumble bees.
Imperiled Bombus includes species currently defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. Imperiled North American species currently include B. affinis, B. ashtoni/bohemicus, B. caliginosus, B. crotchii, B. fervidus, B. franklini, B. fraternus, B. morrisoni, B. occidentalis, B. mckayi, B. mexicanus, B. pensylvanicus, B. suckleyi, B. terricola, B. variabilis, B. brachycephalus, B. haueri, B. medius, B. steindachneri, and B. diligens.
Research Needs
We anticipate supporting four proposals, for a maximum of $5,000 (USD) each. Funds must be used within a 1-year period. Targeted research projects with a high likelihood of providing tangible results that directly inform actions to improve the recovery, persistence, and conservation of bumble bees are preferred. Proposals providing valuable additions to externally funded projects will be considered, but must demonstrate clearly how they are supplementing the shortcomings of the external funding. Recipients of project funds are encouraged to present results/partial results at the 2025 NAPPC meeting and to serve on the Imperiled Bombus Conservation Task Force in the future.
Eligibility
We encourage the four following categories to apply: 1. Non-for-profit NGOs, 2. MSc candidates, 3. PhD candidates, and 4. Principal Investigators/Post-doctoral fellows. Government agencies and for-profit organizations are not eligible. Previous Imperiled Bombus Conservation grant awardees are not eligible. Proposals that focus on political efforts such as lobbying, litigation, and petitions are not eligible.
Priority Areas/Foci
The Imperiled Bombus Conservation Task Force has identified five priority areas for funding; however, other areas will also be considered. If the subject of your research is not an imperiled bumble bee species, please provide an explanation of how the results of your research could benefit imperiled bumble bee conservation or address project area foci. Projects may fall in more than one area.
Analysis/modeling of individual and/or interacting stressors (e.g., pathogens and disease, pesticides, small populations, competition and disease transmission from managed bees, habitat fragmentation and degradation, and climate change) on imperiled bumble bee species abundance, distribution, and health.
Assessment of imperiled bumble bee colony-level factors, including habitat requirements, foraging, colony growth, overwintering, and nesting.
Assessment of imperiled bumble bee population-level factors, including population health, geographical distribution, dispersal ecology of reproductive males and gynes, mating biology, population genetics, and pesticide registration to guide recommendations for long-term recovery practices.
Contributions to improve monitoring techniques to document or increase detection probability, document population health and occupancy, and improve data quality standards of imperiled bumble bee species.
Development of novel, emerging techniques to improve conservation of imperiled bumble bees, such as nest detection, pathogen sampling, the collection of genetic materials, modeling approaches, and/or use of molecular technologies.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals that fail to follow the directions established in this section will not receive further consideration from the review committee. Please review these carefully.
- Maximum 3-page project proposal in English, French, or Spanish (Arial, 12-pt font, single spaced, 0.5 “ margins, with page numbers); references and resumes are not included in this page limit. This should include:
- Proposal title and research team/individual with contact information, including email(s), physical mailing address, and telephone number(s).
Include in separate lines under the title:
- Proposal title and research team/individual with contact information, including email(s), physical mailing address, and telephone number(s).
1. Category (i.e.: Non-for-profit NGO, MSc or PhD candidate, or Principal Investigator/post-doctoral fellow);
2. Priority area focus/foci.
Sufficient background with a concise description of the problem(s) being addressed; the rationale and significance behind the proposed project with an explanation of how the research will directly inform actions to improve the recovery, persistence, and conservation of bumble bees; an overview of the methods used to carry out the proposed project; and expected outcomes/project deliverables.
Detailed budget and justification for the use of the Imperiled Bombus Conservation grant (budget template here). Budget+timeline (see below) should not take more than one page. Note: the Pollinator Partnership/NAPPC does not pay overhead/administrative fees on funded research grants.
Approximate research timeline by month from March/2024 to February/2025. Timeline+budget (see above) (max. 1 page).
- Additional documentation:
Principal Investigator/Post-doctoral fellow - Resume (max. 2 pages) AND list of references to their last publications (up to 5) relevant to the proposal
Non-for-profit NGOs - Copies/links to their last achievements (e.g., scientific papers, social media, reports, educational material) relevant to the proposal (max. 2 pages)
MSc and PhD candidates - Resume (max. 2 pages) AND copies/links to publications their last achievements (e.g., scientific papers, social media, reports, educational material) relevant to the proposal
Brief statement with details on whether the proposal is under consideration by other funding organizations/is supplementing a project funded elsewhere OR that the proposal is not being considered elsewhere/is not yet funded.
Assessment of Proposals
The proposals will be reviewed based on the following criteria: defined objectives, conservation impact, budget, feasibility, potential to establish a framework for future actions/projects, and merit.
Submission
Email your proposal packets as a single PDF file to bombus@pollinator.org by 5 PM EST on January 31, 2024. Include in the subject of your e-mail: Category (i.e.: Not-for-profit NGO, MSc or PhD candidate, or Principal Investigator/post-doctoral fellow) AND Priority area(s) focus/foci.
Funding Decisions
The proposals will be evaluated, and funding notifications will be made by mid-March, 2024.
Current Grantees
Dr. Claudio Gratton at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be trying to answer the question “Does management of woodlands with fire have negative effects on nesting bumble bees?”
Morgan Moore at Iowa State will be “Developing health biomarkers for bumble bees to inform conservation of imperiled bombus species”
Dr. Daniel Cariveau at the University of Minnesota will be “Monitoring wild bumble bee nest growth and survival”
NAPPC White Papers
Developing a Commercial Bumble Bee Clean Stock Certification Program: A white paper of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Bombus Task Force
Download White PaperImportation of Non-Native Bumble Bees into North America: Potential Consequences of Using Bombus terrestris and Other Non-Native Bumble Bees for Greenhouse Crop Pollination in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Download White PaperClimate Change and Bumble Bees
Climate change is real and is already creating real challenges for bumble bees. We can help bumble bees and other pollinators survive by planting flowers that are drought-tolerant, frost resistant, and provide a series of blooms throughout the season. We also can help bumble bees by reducing carbon emissions and stabilizing the climate.
Download Brochure