eMB: Collective and multiscale dynamics of resource transfer in social insects

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $400,000 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

Honeybee colonies must solve difficult group challenges: locating food, sharing it effectively, and adjusting as their environment changes. This project explores how bees use simple behaviors—like following scents, watching each other, or pausing to share food—to accomplish these tasks as a group. Researchers will film bees in both lab and natural environments, then use these observations to understand how bees make group decisions without a leader. The team will build mathematical models to describe these behaviors and test them using detailed video recordings and new technologies for tracking bee movement and food sharing. The goal is to uncover the basic rules that guide effective group behavior and resource sharing. Understanding how bees coordinate as a group has far-reaching benefits. These lessons can be applied to design better systems for managing teams, guiding robots, or improving logistics—especially when conditions are uncertain or constantly changing. The project supports federal education goals by offering hands-on learning for high school students, developing classroom materials for underserved communities, and connecting young learners with real-world science through public outreach events. Students will participate in research and data analysis, helping them build skills in science, technology, and problem-solving. By combining insights from biology and mathematics, this project advances both scientific understanding and the practical design of systems that

Key facts

NSF award ID
2527338
Awardee
University of Colorado at Boulder (CO)
SAM.gov UEI
SPVKK1RC2MZ3
PI
Zachary P Kilpatrick
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning Theory
Estimated total
$400,000
Funds obligated
$400,000
Transaction type
Standard Grant
Period
09/01/2025 → 08/31/2028