Keeling Curve Prize

Overview:
The Keeling Curve Prize is the flagship program of Climate Curve, an internationally recognized annual award that supports global climate initiatives demonstrating the ability to reduce, replace, or remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Award Details:

• Amount: $50,000 each to 10 global climate initiatives annually
• Total to Date: $2.75M awarded to 80 laureates since 2018
• Impact: Laureates have raised $2.87B after winning (1,000x the total award funds)

Geographic Scope:

• Global applications accepted from anywhere in the world
• Subject to U.S. laws and OFAC sanctions regulations
• Sanctioned countries include: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, specific regions of Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk), Belarus, Russia, Syria, Venezuela, and others
• Check OFAC website for current sanctions list

Prize Categories:

• Energy
• Finance
• Carbon sinks
• Transport and mobility
• Social and cultural pathways
• Methane emissions in food and waste systems (new category)

Eligibility:

• Applicant Types: Climate organizations, nonprofits, for-profits, startups, and companies of any size or status worldwide
• Project Status: Only active/current programs and projects (not past work, unimplemented ideas, or untested hypotheses)
• Scalability: Applications must demonstrate potential for scalable GHG emissions reductions and attempt to quantify emissions reductions and address functional/financial scalability
• Language: Applications must be submitted in English
• Multiple Categories: Applicants may select primary and secondary categories but can only win in one category per year
• Previous Winners: May apply in subsequent years for new, different projects using different methods

What They Fund:

• Projects with proven track record of reducing, avoiding, or eliminating greenhouse gases
• Science-backed climate solutions
• Scalable solutions with quantifiable emissions reductions

What They Don't Fund:

• Past work or historical projects
• Unimplemented ideas
• Untested hypotheses
• Projects in OFAC-sanctioned countries or involving SDN list entities

Application Process:

• Applications undergo vetting by diverse team of analysts and judges
• Finalists (20) revealed in spring
• Winners announced in summer

Vetting & Review:
Applications vetted by a diverse team of expert analysts and judges. By completing an application, applicants grant Climate Curve permission to disseminate information about their project to investors, KCP supporters, network members, and third parties that facilitate review/due diligence.

Confidential Information:
Applicants should not provide confidential or proprietary information directly in the application. Secure submission available via contact: r.metzel@climatecurve.org

Associated Programs:
Winners and finalists gain access to:

• Constellations Fellowship: Connects students/recent graduates to professional opportunities; provides staffing support
• Climate Impact Conduit: Online platform connecting laureates with investors, philanthropists, and corporations

Network:

• 1,312 climate organizations represented
• 76 countries represented
• 500+ colleges and universities partnered with Constellations Fellowship
• 520 Constellations Fellows placed

Contact Information:

• Email: kcp@climatecurve.org
• Address: 411 E. Main Street, Ste. 205, Aspen, CO 81611
• Phone: 970-335-9169
• Website: climatecurve.org

Historical Context:
Since 2018, GWMP has awarded $2.75M to 80 nonprofits, for-profits, and startups; vetted more than 1,600 viable solutions; and built one of the largest networks of global warming mitigators. Laureates are projected to reduce 3.27 gigatons of CO2e emissions annually.

Application Process

Application Period:

• Opens: November 1 each year
• Closes: February 12 at 11:59 PM IDLW (UTC-12)
• Next opening: November 1, 2026

Timeline:

1. Application submission period: November 1 - February 12
2. Finalists announced: Spring
3. Winners announced: Summer

Required Information:

• English language submission
• Active/current project details
• Primary prize category designation
• Option to list secondary categories for consideration
• Quantified GHG emissions reductions (Questions #8-10)
• Demonstration of functional scalability
• Demonstration of financial scalability
• Project implementation status and proof of current operations

Application Questions:
Applications require responses to questions including (numbered #8-10 specifically address):

• Questions 8-10: Quantification of emissions reductions, functional scalability, and financial scalability
• Additional questions regarding project scope, impact, and organizational capacity

Key Requirements:

• Complete all application sections
• Meet all eligibility requirements listed on eligibility page
• Submit in English (Climate Curve not responsible for translation accuracy)
• Avoid including confidential/proprietary information in application form

Confidential Information Submission:

• Proprietary information can be submitted separately via secure platform
• Contact: r.metzel@climatecurve.org
• Reference: Include relevant information for review without public dissemination

Grant of Rights:
By completing application, applicants grant Climate Curve permission to disseminate project information at its discretion, including:

• Sharing with investors and KCP supporters
• Distribution to global network members
• Sharing with third parties/software providers facilitating review and due diligence

Review Criteria:

• Track record of reducing/avoiding/eliminating GHG emissions
• Ability to scale impact
• Quantifiable environmental impact
• Organizational capacity and viability
• Alignment with prize categories

Application Completeness:
Incomplete applications or those not meeting requirements will not be considered.