GreenWave - Kelp Climate Fund Grants for Ocean Farmers

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Enriched accelerator · Found: 2026-03-11 07:51

GreenWave's Kelp Climate Fund providing grants for ocean farmers to expand regenerative kelp farms.

Source: https://www.greenwave.org/blog-who-farms-matters/ocean-farmers-unlock-grants-expand-farms-with-kelp-climate-fund

Funding Details

Funder: GreenWave
Funding Goal: Direct subsidy payments to regenerative ocean farmers for the climate benefits of their kelp farming operations, including carbon sequestration, nitrogen removal, and reef restoration. Funds help farmers scale farm infrastructure, protect against price fluctuations and extreme weather events, and measure climate impact.
Funding Amount: Payments up to USD 25,000 per farm per season. Total fund grew from $75,000 (2021-22) to $350,000 (2022-23) to $540,000 (2023-24). Accepted on first-come, first-serve basis until the fund is spent down. (up to 25.000 €)
Deadline: Annual, applied seasonally before each farming season (typically fall/autumn) (periodic)
How to Apply: Apply via Google Form (link on greenwave.org/kelp-climate-fund). Farmers accepted on first-come, first-serve basis until the fund is spent. Participants required to use My Kelp app for monitoring and data reporting.
Target Region: United States (primarily), North America
Contact: GreenWave, contact via website: greenwave.org/contact
Official Page: https://www.greenwave.org/kelp-climate-fund
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 12:32

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Must be an ocean farmer growing at least 1,000 linear feet of kelp seed
Primarily open to US-based ocean farms

Project Scope

Must use GreenWave's My Kelp app to monitor and report farm data

Required Documents

Apply via Google Form on the KCF page before the farming season starts
Farmers must report outplanting conditions, growth rates, crop yields, and environmental benefits

Constraints

Accepted on first-come, first-serve basis until fund is exhausted
Maximum payment is USD 25,000 per farm per season

Summary

The Kelp Climate Fund (KCF) is a direct subsidy programme operated by GreenWave, a non-profit organisation supporting the growth of regenerative ocean farming in North America. The fund pays kelp farmers for the positive climate externalities of their farming operations, bridging the gap while commercial markets for kelp products and blue carbon continue to develop. Thematically, the programme focuses on regenerative ocean farming, blue carbon capture, nutrient removal (particularly nitrogen), and reef restoration. Climate resilience of small farming businesses is a secondary focus, with funds used to build infrastructure, improve equipment, and stabilise income against price volatility and weather risks. Eligible activities include purchasing farm equipment and infrastructure (anchors, gear, processing equipment), farm expansion, and data collection through GreenWave's My Kelp mobile app. In return, farmers submit monitoring data on outplanting, growth rates, harvest yields, and environmental metrics which GreenWave aggregates across North America. Geographically, the programme targets ocean farmers in the United States, with documented participants in Alaska, Rhode Island, and other coastal states. No international eligibility is mentioned on the programme page. Eligible applicants are small and medium-sized ocean farms growing at least 1,000 linear feet of kelp seed. Individual farmers, hatchery operators, and ocean farming businesses are all eligible. Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis until annual funds are exhausted. Payments reach up to USD 25,000 per farm per season. The total fund has grown each year since 2021. For the 2025-26 season, the programme introduced additional incentives tied to harvest performance and market engagement. Applications are submitted via Google Form and participants must use the My Kelp app throughout the season.

Historical Context

Launched in 2021 as a pilot with nine farms paying $75,000. Grew to $350,000 (2022-23, 40+ farms), then $540,000 (2023-24, 45+ farms). For 2025-26 season, the programme introduced new incentives for harvest performance and market engagement.

Sources

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