About the Award

The P. Vit-Olivier Young Researcher Award in Pot-Honey Science is a once-in-a-lifetime recognition of excellence for emerging pot-honey scientists up to 40 years old.

Professor Patricia Vit is widely known for pioneering the first proposal of stingless bee honey standards (Bee World, 2004), editing the book Pot-Honey: A Legacy of Stingless Bees (Springer, 2013), and receiving the Premio Mujeres en Ciencia for Health Science (ACFIMAN, 2023). She leads the Apitherapy and Bioactivity (APIBA) research group within the Food Science Department of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Bioanalysis at Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), Mérida, Venezuela. In her honor, two stingless bee species and one yeast species have been named: Partamona vitae (Pedro & Camargo, 2003), Starmerella vitae (A.R.O. Santos, P.B. Morais, Lachance & C.A. Rosa, 2018), and Scaptotrigona vitorum (Engel, 2022).

Her interest in honey analysis began through a collaboration with Father Santiago López-Palacios, who collected 26 samples while writing his book Catálogo para una Flora Apícola Venezolana. She believes in fostering scientific collaboration, which often leads to unexpected discoveries and mastering new techniques simply for the pleasure of contributing.

Professor Vit organized the 2024 JMF Camargo International Symposium on Stingless Bees (Mérida, Venezuela, 26-29 June) and is the Founder Director of the online Route of Living Museums of Stingless Bees in the World (RUTA-MELI), where Professor Amelia Nicolas of the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) serves as General Director.

This award aims to inspire young scientists to accomplish their research goals and contribute to discovery and innovation in pot-honey science.

Purpose of the Award

This award aims to encourage young scientists to achieve their objectives and produce groundbreaking results, which are essential for innovation and discovery in pot-honey science.

Significance of the Award

Recognition of individual scientific excellence in pot-honey research as an influential tool for future advancements and teamwork.

The winner of the P. Vit-Olivier Young Researcher Award in Pot-Honey Science will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 2025 ISSB and will receive:

• A copy of Pot-Honey: A Legacy of Stingless Bees (Springer).
• A one-year free subscription to Bee World and the Journal of Apicultural Research, published by Taylor & Francis on behalf of the International Bee Research Association (IBRA).

About the Award

The C. Grüter Young Researcher Award in Stingless Bee Biology is a once-in-a-lifetime recognition of excellence for the new generation of scientists specializing in the biology of stingless bees, open to researchers up to 40 years old.

Professor Christoph Grüter is a distinguished biologist specializing in the behavior and ecology of social insects. His research explores how bees communicate, make collective decisions, and adapt to environmental challenges. He has extensively studied foraging strategies, recruitment communication, division of labor, and colony organization in stingless bees (Meliponini) and honeybees (Apis). His work focuses on how social insects use and process information, such as deciding whether to follow recruitment signals like pheromones or waggle dances and how these choices impact colony efficiency. He has also examined the costs and benefits of social learning in insects, analyzing when and why individuals rely on personal experience versus social cues.

Professor Grüter has contributed to numerous publications in journals on entomology, ecology, and animal behavior. His renowned book, Stingless Bees: Their Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution (Springer, 2020), is considered an iconic reference in the field. His work has practical implications for pollinator conservation, understanding invasive species, and improving sustainable beekeeping practices. He has held academic positions at institutions such as the University of Mainz and is currently an Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour and Ecology at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol.

To foster creativity and research, this award seeks to encourage young scientists in achieving their greatest accomplishments in the biology of stingless bees.

Purpose of the Award

This award aims to encourage young scientists to achieve their objectives and produce groundbreaking results, which are essential for innovation and discovery in stingless bee biology.

Significance of the Award

Recognition of individual scientific excellence in the biology of stingless bees, serving as an influential tool for future advancements and collaborations.

The winner of the C. Grüter Young Researcher Award in Stingless Bee Biology will be announced at the 2025 ISSB Closing Ceremony and will receive a copy of the Springer book Stingless Bees: Their Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution.

About the Award

The C. Cervancia Young Researcher Award in Stingless Bee Pollination is a prestigious, once-in-a-lifetime recognition of excellence awarded to emerging scientists (aged 40 or younger) specializing in stingless bee pollination. This award honors Professor Cleofas Cervancia, a distinguished figure in Philippine bee research and extension, particularly in the use of stingless bees (Tetragonula biroi) for pollination across Asia.

Professor Cervancia pioneered beekeeping technologies, including stingless bee propagation, wild honey harvesting, and bee product processing, significantly contributing to agricultural productivity, food security, and environmental sustainability. Her research has led to reduced pesticide use, bee population conservation, and livelihood opportunities for farmers.

Her interdisciplinary approach fostered collaborations across fields, resulting in innovations such as mathematical models, pollen identification tools, and key policies in beekeeping. She holds a patent for tracing the origins of bee products and has made substantial contributions to bee health, ensuring strong colonies for effective pollination. Additionally, she has advanced meliponitherapy, demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of propolis and stingless bee honey for tumor treatment, wound healing, and other medical applications.

Dr. Cervancia's recent project, Supporting Countries with Data Collection for Monitoring Bee Diversity, has significantly enhanced the understanding of Asian bee diversity. Her research has also contributed to the international pot-honey and propolis market and the establishment of small-scale stingless beekeeping enterprises in rural communities. Notably, she developed a stingless bee pollination technology that has increased the yields of crops such as mango, avocado, and coffee.

As a leader in the field, Dr. Cervancia served as President of the Apimondia Regional Commission of Asia for 11 years and is currently an active member of the Scientific Commission on Pollination and Bee Health. Her numerous accolades include the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, the NRCP Achievement Award in Biological Sciences, the Scientific Productivity Award, and the UPLB Outstanding Alumni Award. Recently, she was honored with the 2016 Mt. Everest Pollination Award, the 2023 APIBA Academic Excellence Award, and was named the 2024 Eminent Stingless Bee Scientist of the Philippines by Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela. She has also been conferred the title of Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines, in recognition of her significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology in the country.

Purpose of the Award

This award aims to encourage young scientists to achieve their objectives and produce groundbreaking results, which are essential for innovation and discovery in stingless bee pollination.

Significance of the Award

The award recognizes individual scientific excellence in stingless bee pollination research as a key driver of future innovation and collaboration.

The recipient will be honored at the 2025 ISSB Closing Ceremony and will receive the:

• Springer book: Pot-Pollen in Stingless Bee Melittology.
• RePill Productions book: Propagation of Stingless Bees, Tetragonula biroi in the Philippines.
• Mustafa Stingless Bee Hive used in KELULUNOMICS

About the Award

The MZ Mustafa Young Researcher Award in Meliponitherapy is a once-in-a-lifetime recognition of excellence for emerging scientists in meliponitherapy, up to 40 years old.

Professor Mohd Zulkifli Mustafa is a distinguished neuroscientist whose research focuses on the benefits of honey in enhancing memory and combating brain diseases. His mission is to boost Malaysia’s production of high-quality honey. He serves as the Project Leader for the Advanced National Honey Landmark (AnNaHL) Translational Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and is also the Vice President of APIMONDIA Regional Commission Asia.

Currently, Dr. Mustafa is actively managing five preclinical and ten clinical research studies on the medicinal applications of stingless bee honey, focusing on its potential to treat various health conditions. At the national level, he pioneered the KELULUNOMIC initiative, a comprehensive program dedicated to stingless bee conservation while fostering socio-economic development within communities. This initiative began with the Reinventing Honey Quality (RHQ) project, leading to several significant patented innovations that improved honey quality, including the MUSTAFA Hive, HILDA System (honey dehydration system), and KEIFh System (honey quality control device).

Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in establishing Malaysia’s first GMP, HACCP, and ISO 22000-Certified Stingless Bee Honey Production Facility. His dedication to education and industry development has led to the training of over 4,000 stingless beekeepers nationwide.

In addition to his contributions to stingless beekeeping and industry development, he is also the Founder & CEO of Brainey Sdn Bhd, a USM spin-off company committed to re-engineering the stingless bee industry and unlocking its full potential as an innovation-driven national commodity.

Dr. Mustafa has received numerous prestigious accolades for his groundbreaking contributions to stingless bee research and innovation. Notable among these are the: Art Science Award (2022), recognizing the fusion of scientific excellence and creative innovation; National Agriculture Innovation Award, celebrating transformative advancements in sustainable agricultural practices; and Entrepreneur Icon Award, honoring his exceptional efforts in translating research into impactful commercial ventures.

In 2024, the Mustafa International Workshop on Meliponiculture was held in Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela (3-5 July). Tailored to Huottuja native stingless beekeepers, it was named in his honor, further underscoring Dr. Mustafa’s pivotal role in advancing stingless bee science and its economic potential.

Purpose of the Award

This award aims to encourage young scientists to achieve their objectives and produce groundbreaking results, which are essential for innovation and discovery in meliponitherapy.

Significance of the Award

Recognition of individual scientific excellence in pot-honey science, serving as a crucial tool for future advancements and collaborative research.

The winner of the MZ Mustafa Young Researcher Award in Meliponitherapy will be announced at the 2025 ISSB Closing Ceremony and will receive:

• The book Honey: A Comprehensive Survey by Eva Crane.
• The book Apitherapy Expert: Enhancement of Health and Life Quality with Bee Products by Romeo Tonner.
• A bottle of Brainey MADU KELULUT Premium Heterotrigona itama Honey for clinical use from Malaysia

About the Award

The Father JS Moure Young Researcher Award in Stingless Bee Taxonomy is a once-in-a-lifetime recognition of excellence for young scientists specializing in the taxonomy of stingless bees, up to 40 years old. Father Jesus Santiago Moure (1912-2020) was a Claretian priest and a professor at Universidade Federal do Paraná (Curitiba, Brazil) for nearly six decades. Born in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, he passed away in Batatais, São Paulo, Brazil. His renowned Catalogue of Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) in the Neotropical Region was made possible through the contributions of Prof. G.A.R. Melo. Father Moure was the recipient of Brazil’s National Order of Scientific Merit (1995) and the Grand Cross of the National Order of Scientific Merit (1998).

As a prolific taxonomist, he made significant contributions to the taxonomy of stingless bees, describing 16 new genera in the Neotropics, including Scaptotrigona Moure, 1942; Geotrigona Moure, 1943; Schwarziana Moure, 1943; Duckeola Moure, 1944; Friesella Moure, 1946; Schwarzula Moure, 1946; Tetragonisca Moure, 1946; Celetrigona Moure, 1950; Dolichotrigona Moure, 1950; Leurotrigona Moure, 1950; Trigonisca Moure, 1950; Aparatrigona Moure, 1951; Ptilotrigona Moure, 1951; Nogueirapis Moure, 1953; Trichotrigona Camargo and Moure, 1983; and Camargoia Moure, 1989. He also identified seven genera endemic to Africa (Apotrigona Moure, 1961; Axestotrigona Moure, 1961; Cleptotrigona Moure, 1961; Liotrigona Moure, 1961; Meliplebeia Moure, 1961; Plebeiella Moure, 1961; and Plebeina Moure, 1961) and an additional eleven genera found in Asia and Australia (Austroplebeia Moure, 1961; Geniotrigona Moure, 1961; Homotrigona Moure, 1961; Lisotrigona Moure, 1961; Lophotrigona Moure, 1961; Odontotrigona Moure, 1961; Pariotrigona Moure, 1961; Platytrigona Moure, 1961; Tetragonilla Moure, 1961; Tetragonula Moure, 1961; and Tetrigona Moure, 1961).

Purpose of the Award

This award aims to support young scientists in achieving their goals and making significant contributions to the taxonomy of stingless bees, fostering innovation and research.

Significance of the Award

The award recognizes individual scientific excellence in stingless bee taxonomy research as a key driver of future advancements and colllaboration.

The recipient will be honored at the 2025 ISSB Closing Ceremony and will receive:

• Two Springer book chapters: The Meliponini by the late C.D. Michener, and Historical Biogeography of the Meliponini (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apinae) of the Neotropical Region by the late J.M.F. Camargo.
• The book Bees of the World: A Guide to Every Family by Laurence Packer, sponsored by KELULUNOMICS.