RESEARCH

We’re sweet on research.

The National Honey Board renewed its commitment to health and nutrition by initiating a research grant program in 2018. The goal is to learn more about the unique benefits of honey as related to human health and to increase awareness of potential benefits associated with honey consumption. Resources useful to nutrition researchers, as well as information about how you can become involved in research to learn about the health benefits of honey can be found below.

National Honey Board Funding Priorities

  • Antioxidants in honey
  • Anti-inflammatory benefits of honey
  • Digestive health benefits of honey
  • Honey’s role in a healthy dietary pattern
  • Stress management-related benefits of consuming honey



Our Grant Process

The National Honey Board works with leading nutrition experts to help determine important and impactful research directions. Research projects are sourced by a request for proposals (RFP) process.

Pre-proposals and those invited to advance to proposals are reviewed by experts in the field for scientific merit. Final selections are made based on:

  1. Compatibility with NHB’s objectives outlined in the specific request for proposals
  2. Overall scientific merit, feasibility, and originality
  3. Total budget and affordability with project cost-sharing having a substantive advantage.
  4. Demonstrated expertise by the investigator and institution

NHB operates under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversight and therefore adheres to agency policies regarding research conduct and reporting. Research funded by NHB requires that researchers disclose NHB as the funding source.

Additionally, researchers are required to follow the principles described by Rowe et al. on “Funding food science and nutrition research: financial conflicts and scientific integrity.” (Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89(5):1285–1291).



Research Communications

All communications and press releases related to the results of NHB-funded research are reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are committed to communicating study results responsibly and accurately.



Information for Nutrition Researchers

Click here for requests currently available for pre-proposals submissions.

Ad hoc proposals will be considered in unusual circumstances and only when submitted using the NHB pre-proposal template, which can be requested by emailing [email protected]. An example would be an opportunity to receive matching funds or shared resourcing. Areas of interest would include digestive health, antioxidants, and research that demonstrates how honey can helps develop habits and rituals that promote wellbeing through food choices, diet patterns, and stress/mood management.