IMHSI is building the first structured certification and traceability framework for Mad Honey — a product that moves through unregulated markets, is frequently adulterated or misrepresented, and is produced by communities with minimal institutional support.
The work spans three dimensions, each requiring different kinds of contribution: scientific research into Grayanotoxin profiling and verification methods, ecological monitoring of Apis laboriosa populations and their habitats, and cultural documentation of honey hunting traditions in Gurung and Magar communities.
IMHSI operates on a lean institutional model. Most of what gets built here is built through collaboration, not procurement. Your involvement — whether as a research partner, a funder, or a field collaborator — directly enables work that would not otherwise happen.
IMHSI collaborates with universities, research laboratories, and independent researchers on targeted projects across food science, ecology, and ethnography. We are actively seeking partners in the following areas:
IMHSI can offer co-authorship opportunities, field access coordination in Nepal, and institutional affiliation for joint publications. If you are a researcher, student, or institution working in any of these areas, we would like to hear from you.
Much of IMHSI's work depends on access to harvesting communities, cliff honey collection sites, and regional supply chains across Nepal. Field partners play a critical role in bridging the gap between institutional research and on-the-ground realities.
We work with local conservation organisations, community cooperatives, and individual practitioners who can support field sample collection, document traditional harvesting methods, or facilitate community engagement during research activities.
If you operate in the Himalayan region and have connections to honey harvesting communities or conservation programmes, your involvement can directly strengthen the accuracy and legitimacy of our standards work.
IMHSI is an independent institute. We do not receive government funding and do not accept commercial investment from Mad Honey producers or sellers. This independence is central to the credibility of our certification and standards work.
Our research and operations are funded through project-specific grants, institutional partnerships, and direct donations. Funding contributions support:
We accept donations of any size. Larger contributions can be directed to specific projects. Please use the contact form below to discuss structured funding partnerships or grant opportunities.
For general enquiries, visit our Contact page.