The AgriFutures Honey Bee & Pollination Program goal is to invest in RD&E that will secure a productive, sustainable and more profitable Australian beekeeping industry and secure pollination of Australia’s horticultural and agricultural crops. To ensure the Program goal is achieved, AgriFutures Australia is currently seeking research proposals to address targeted investment priorities outlined below.

During this Open Call, AgriFutures Australia is seeking research proposals that align with the Varroa destructor Research Strategy and the Honey Bee and Pollination Program RD&E Plan. Alignment to the listed investment priorities must be demonstrated in all submissions made to the Open Call. Investing in projects which are aligned with the research, development and extension (RD&E) priorities and objectives of the industry ensures that AgriFutures Australia is investing in research that meets the needs of the honey bee and pollination industry. If researchers are unsure of the alignment and relevance of their research to the listed investment priorities, they are encouraged to speak with the AgriFutures team.

AgriFutures Australia is only seeking proposals which address at least one of the following investment priorities:

• An integrated approach to varroa management
• Minimising the impacts of varroa on honey bee health
• Breeding resistant honey bees
• Slowing the spread of varroa
• Pollination continuation
• Floral resource access and industry sustainability
• Enhance industry capability

We welcome and encourage your collaboration with other research providers to build the critical research mass necessary to meet our objectives.

Further details regarding these research priorities can be found in the Varroa Destructor Research Strategy and the Honey Bee & Pollination Program RD&E Plan.