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 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 ended and winners will be announced in January 2026.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be formally affiliated with and applying through a legally registered entity that can receive unrestricted grant funding.
• Applicant must be registered and located in the United States or Canada.
• Project must be located or implemented 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.
• Organizations may not resubmit the same project from previous application cycles. New projects or substantially different approaches from the same organization are welcome.
• 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 or policy advocacy
• Religious organizations
• Individuals unaffiliated with a legal entity
• Theoretical or academic research without clear implementation pathways

What are examples of good entries?

We encourage submissions from a wide array of projects that demonstrate the potential for tangible, real-world impact. 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 applied research with clear implementation timelines (such as pilot studies or field trials), nonprofit programs with concrete deliverables, startups developing alternative proteins and more. Entries can be from the seafood industry or compelling applications from other fields. We prioritize solutions that have clear pathways to market adoption, revenue generation, or sustainable impact. The opportunity and need for innovative solutions are wide-ranging, and we want to support the most impactful ideas and teams that can deliver tangible results. Find previous SICA winners below!

What is the application deadline?

Applications for the U.S. and Canada are being accepted until November 7, 2025 at 5pm EDT. 

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 deliver tangible results to reduce the carbon footprint of the seafood industry
• Demonstrate realistic implementation timelines with measurable outcomes
• Show pathways to improved sustainability outcomes, scalable solutions, or market adoption

What types of projects are we not looking for?

• Theoretical research or academic studies without implementation components
• Policy advocacy or lobbying efforts
• Projects without clear, measurable deliverables within the 12-month timeframe
• Previously submitted projects from the same organization

When will winners be announced?

All applicants, including winners, will be notified by January, 2026. 

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.

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. 

These past Seafood Industry Climate Award recipients represent forward-thinking work in climate adaptation, emissions reduction, and workforce development across the seafood industry.