Value Chain Development Grant

GreenWave is offering grants to support teams of participants across regional kelp value chains as they tackle bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, and boost efficiency. The goal is to unlock high volumes of kelp moving through value chains across regions while promoting collaboration, increasing distribution, and strengthening the long-term resilience of the kelp industry.

Geographic Scope: North America, with emphasis on regional kelp value chains

Focus Areas:

• Infrastructure development and upgrades
• Processing and stabilization capacity
• Nursery capacity, quality, and reliability
• Supply chain collaboration and efficiency
• Moving from bench-scale to pilot-scale production
• Product development (ingredients, materials, consumer goods)

Team Requirements:

• Minimum 3 or more partners required
• Must include a buyer or documentation of intent to purchase kelp (letter of interest)
• Must represent at least 2 distinct roles within the kelp value chain (e.g., nursery, farmer, processor, buyer)
• Must demonstrate meaningful collaboration between partners
• Regional collaboration encouraged, but cross-regional teams considered if supporting specific kelp value chain development

Eligible Uses of Grant Funding:

• Infrastructure upgrades
• Operating expenses
• Pilot collaborations
• Equipment purchases or rentals for kelp stabilization or processing
• Moving from bench-scale to pilot-scale production
• Hiring seasonal or start-up staff members

Proposal Process

Phase 1: Pre-Proposal Submission

1. Briefly describe your team and project idea
2. Submit via the pre-proposal portal
3. Receive feedback within 2 weeks with either:
   • Green light to submit full proposal, OR
   • Suggestions for revision

Phase 2: Full Proposal Submission

1. Invited teams complete detailed application
2. Review process: 2-4 weeks
3. Selected projects receive contracts and onboarding support

Phase 3: Contract and Implementation

• Timing of fund release is project dependent

Required Proposal Components

All funded teams must submit:

1. Partner Commitments
   • Signed commitments from each party in the project team
2. Collaboration Plan
   • Clear outline of roles and expected contributions
3. Reporting Agreement
   • Agreement to provide 6-month progress reports
   • Agreement to provide 12-month progress reports
   • Agreement to provide final report on project outcomes
4. Project Proposal including:
   • Clear objective
   • Realistic timeline
   • Implementation steps
   • Success metrics
5. Market Plan
   • Details on buyer involvement in project
   • Correspondence from potential buyer displaying interest
6. Budget
   • Detailed budget breakdown
   • Proposed payment distribution timeline
7. Ownership Plan
   • Plan for infrastructure or equipment ownership after grant period
8. Outcomes Sharing Agreement
   • Agreement to share project outcomes and visuals for promotional materials

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals reviewed based on:

1. Collaboration
   • Strength and structure of project team
   • Diversity of roles across value chain
   • Potential to build lasting partnerships
2. Feasibility and Readiness
   • Realistic and achievable timeline
   • Well-matched resources and staffing
   • Budget aligned with project goals
3. Sustainability
   • Likelihood of delivering lasting value beyond grant period
   • Potential to generate insights for broader industry practices
4. Impact on Value Chain
   • Potential to increase kelp sales
   • Potential to improve efficiency
   • Potential to expand market access
   • Contribution to resilient regional value chain
5. Outcomes
   • Defined and measurable outcomes
   • Plan to track progress and demonstrate impact on kelp sales and market reach