GreenWave Kelp Climate Fund

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 19:15

Grant program supporting small/medium kelp farmers with compensation for climate impacts including blue carbon capture, nitrogen removal, and reef restoration. Fund grew to $540K for 2023/2024 season supporting 45+ farms.

Source: https://greenwave.org/

Funding Details

Funder

GreenWave (nonprofit organization)

Funding Goal

Provide direct subsidy payments to small and medium-scale regenerative ocean farmers — specifically kelp and seaweed farmers — to support climate impact activities including carbon sequestration, nitrogen removal, and reef restoration. In return for subsidies, farmers provide monitoring data on outplanting, growth rates, and harvest yields. The fund also provides farm infrastructure support, protection against price fluctuations, and market development assistance.

Funding Amount

Up to $25,000 per farm per season. 2021-22 pilot: $75,000 total across 9 farms. 2022-23: $350,000 supporting 40+ farms. Fund has grown each year and continues for the 2025-26 farming season. (up to 25.000 €)

How to Apply

Apply via Google Form on GreenWave's website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9VKjgIkL6yJEBLEJ9NjmwTpVnk513NU8j5AGaVknhKgA8Xg/viewform. Applications accepted before and during the farming season on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Target Region

North America (primarily United States)

Contact

greenwave.org/contact

Official Page

https://greenwave.org/kelp-climate-fund

Last Checked

2026-03-15 10:59

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be an active ocean/kelp farmer (individual or small business)
• Must be growing over 1,000 feet (~300m) of seed line
• Based in North America (primarily US)

Project Scope

• Project must involve kelp or seaweed cultivation with measurable climate impact
• Must provide monitoring data via GreenWave's My Kelp app (outplanting, growth, harvest)

Required Documents

• Apply via Google Form on GreenWave website before season starts

Constraints

• Applications accepted first-come, first-served until fund depleted
• Maximum $25,000 per farm per season

Summary

GreenWave's Kelp Climate Fund is a direct payment subsidy program run by GreenWave, a US-based nonprofit focused on regenerative ocean farming. The fund provides payments of up to $25,000 per farm per season to active ocean farmers who grow kelp and other seaweed species at small to medium scale, in exchange for environmental monitoring data. Thematic scope includes: regenerative ocean farming, kelp and seaweed cultivation, climate impact measurement (carbon sequestration, nitrogen removal), reef restoration co-benefits, blue economy market development, and farm infrastructure scaling. The 2025-26 season introduced new incentives for harvest performance and market engagement. Eligible activities funded include farm infrastructure scaling, crop yield monitoring and data provision via GreenWave's My Kelp app, outplanting activities, and participating in GreenWave's broader market development ecosystem (including Seaweed Source marketplace app). The fund is structured as a production subsidy rather than a traditional grant. Geographic scope is North America, with a strong focus on US-based ocean farmers. GreenWave tracks data across farms around the United States. There is no explicit mention of eligibility for European farmers. Eligible applicants are individual ocean farmers or small farm businesses growing more than 1,000 feet (approximately 300 meters) of seed line. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The fund is specifically designed for small and medium-scale farm operators, not for NGOs, research institutions, or organizations. Target beneficiaries are individual ocean farmers and small farm businesses seeking early-season financial stability and climate impact recognition. The fund supports approximately 40+ farms per season and is growing annually.

Historical Context

Kelp Climate Fund started as a pilot in the 2021-22 season with 9 farms and $75,000. Grew to $350,000 in 2022-23 supporting 40+ farms. Continued growing each year. For 2025-26 season, new incentives introduced to promote harvest performance and market engagement. GreenWave is a nonprofit that trains and supports regenerative ocean farmers across North America.

Why it was added

Core regenerative ocean farming organization offering grants and technical support for 3D ocean farming; directly relevant for marine conservation NGOs seeking kelp/seaweed farming funding

Sources

• https://greenwave.org/
• https://greenwave.org/kelp-climate-fund

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