The Seafood Industry Climate Awards

The Seafood Industry Climate Awards (SICA) celebrate early stage efforts to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. 

Significant progress has been made in the seafood industry to address sustainability issues. Yet, climate adaptation is a relatively new focus area that is demanding immediate action. 

We believe that if innovators, from applied researchers to product developers to entrepreneurs, have increased attention and resources, they can help turn the tide and transform the seafood industry into a leader in the climate movement. This coming year, three recipients will each receive a $70,000 grant, including a new dedicated TD Bank Award for one recipient whose project is focused on the low carbon transition through workforce development and operating between Maine and Florida.

Click here to see the application for more details. Questions can be directed to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org

• On the Water
• Shipping & Logistics
• Processing & Manufacturing
• Energy Usage
• Waste Management
• Alternative Proteins
• Workforce Development

Our SICA recipients are selected by the leading minds in the seafood industry.  

Winning applications must meet and will be evaluated on the following requirements:

Awardees will be reviewed and selected by judges representing a broad set of perspectives from across the seafood industry. Judges will evaluate entries based on the criteria, each with equal weighting. Judges may contact applicants for clarification or additional information. Evaluation will begin once the application period has closed and winners will be announced in January 2024.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be formally affiliated with and applying through a legally registered entity that can receive unrestricted grant funding.
• Be registered and located in the United States or Canada.
• Meet all submission deadlines, including submitting a completed application form by the required deadline.
• Ability to fulfill all grant requirements including a minimum of a midterm and final update. 
• Past Seafood Industry Climate Award winners are not eligible to apply.
• Agree to all legal terms and conditions of the award.

The Acme Smoked Fish Foundation does not fund the following:

• Lobbying and activities to influence specific legislation
• Religious organizations
• Individuals unaffiliated with a legal entity

What are examples of good entries?

We encourage applications from a wide range of efforts. These can be from any of the following categories:

• On the water 
• Shipping & Logistics
• Processing & Manufacturing
• Energy Usage
• Waste Management
• Alternative Proteins
• Workforce Development

Entries can range from researchers diving into the impacts of seafood shipping, nonprofit programs dedicated to improving fishing practices, startups developing alternative proteins and more. Entries can be from the seafood industry or compelling applications from other fields. The opportunity and need for innovative solutions is wide, and we want to find the most impactful ideas and teams, wherever they may come from. 

What is the application deadline?

Applications for the U.S. and Canada are being accepted until November 20, 2024 at 5pm EDT. 

When will winners be announced?

All applicants, including winners, will be notified by January, 2024. 

What do winners receive?

Three winners will be selected from the pool of U.S. and Canadian applicants. Each winner will receive a $70,000 grant to be used for the plan outlined in their application. They will also receive recognition in industry press and will be given the opportunity to showcase their work at seafood industry events. 

What makes a good application?

Successful applications have the following:

• Meet eligibility requirements
• Complete all required information
• Address the three criteria– impact, plan and diversity–in their application
• Clearly articulate how they can continue to reduce the carbon footprint of the seafood industry

Who can I talk to with questions or to get help?

Send an email with any questions to climateaward@acmesmokedfishfoundation.org. 

Addressing the climate crisis requires a global approach. Through the Chilean awards program, Acme acknowledges that sustainable action and seafood-industry innovation know no borders.