Value Chain
Development Grant
GreenWave is offering grants up to $100,000 per project to support teams of participants across a regional kelp value chain as they tackle bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, and boost efficiency.
With the goal of unlocking a high volume of kelp moving through value chains across regions, this program is designed to promote collaboration, increase distribution, and strengthen the long-term resilience of the kelp industry.
Project Teams
Teams must meet the following criteria:
Involve 3 or more partners
Include a buyer or provide documentation that shows intent to purchase kelp, like a letter of interest
Represent at least 2 distinct roles within the kelp value chain (e.g., nursery, farmer, processor, or buyer)
Projects must demonstrate meaningful collaboration between partners.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funding
Infrastructure
Operating
Expenses
Pilot Collaborations
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Upgrades to nursery capacity, quality, and reliability
Equipment purchases or rentals for kelp stabilization or processing
Moving from bench-scale to pilot-scale production of a kelp intermediate or end product (e.g., ingredient, material, or consumer good)
Hiring seasonal or start-up staff members
Proposal Process
Proposals Open
The proposal process opens for submissions on July 1, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Pre-Proposal Submission
Briefly describe your team and project idea. You’ll hear from us within 2 weeks with either a green light to submit a full proposal or suggestions for revision.
Proposal
Submission
Invited teams complete a more detailed application. Expect a 2 to 4 week review process. Selected projects will receive contracts and onboarding support.
Proposal Accepted
Selected projects will receive contracts and onboarding support. The timing of when funds will be released for selected projects is project dependent.
Proposal Requirements
All funded teams will be required to submit:
Signed partner commitments from each party in the project team
Clear collaboration plan outlining roles and expected contributions
Agreement to provide 6- and 12-month progress reports and a final report on project outcomes
Project proposal with objective, timeline, implementation steps, and success metrics
Market plan detailing buyer involvement in the project or correspondence from a potential buyer displaying interest
Budget breakdown with proposed payment distribution timeline
Ownership plan for any infrastructure or equipment
Agreement to share project outcomes and visuals for use in promotional materials
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed based on:
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Strength and structure of the project team, including diversity of roles across the value chain and potential to build lasting partnerships.
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Realistic and achievable timeline, well-matched resources and staffing, and a budget aligned with project goals.
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Likelihood that the project will deliver lasting value to the kelp value chain beyond the grant period and generate insights to inform broader industry practices.
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Potential to increase kelp sales, improve efficiency, expand market access, and contribute to a more resilient regional value chain.
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Defined and measurable outcomes, including a plan to track progress and demonstrate impact on kelp sales, market reach, and overall project success.
FAQs
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Yes. One participant can participate in multiple proposals, but each project must independently meet the team structure requirements and have a distinct scope and set of goals.
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Not necessarily. Regional collaboration is encouraged, but cross-regional teams will be considered if the project clearly supports development in a specific kelp value chain.
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Yes. If a buyer is not part of the project team, you must include either a letter of interest from a buyer or other documentation that demonstrates existing market demand for the kelp your project will produce.
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All pre-proposals will receive feedback within approximately two weeks of submission. Applicants will have the opportunity to submit a different pre-proposal if their original one was not accepted.
