Over the previous few years, the Ethereum ecosystem has grown in depth, range, and maturity. Builders and communities worldwide have pushed the boundaries of what’s potential, creating new instruments, protocols, and public items that strengthen the community as an entire. Because the ecosystem grows, our method to supporting it should adapt as effectively.
As we speak, we’re excited to share the subsequent step in that journey: the Ecosystem Support Program’s (ESP) new grants program.
This announcement builds on our earlier update, the place we briefly paused open grant functions to reassess our priorities and funding method. Throughout this time, we targeted on designing a extra focused, impactful, and sustainable mannequin that evolves alongside Ethereum’s progress.
Why We're Evolving
The earlier open grants program efficiently supported tons of of tasks that contributed key constructing blocks throughout Ethereum. Nonetheless, with a lean staff and broad scope, the rising quantity of functions stretched our assets, limiting our capability to pursue strategic alternatives.
Our new mannequin addresses this by shifting from a reactive to a proactive method, working intently with different EF groups to make sure that funding aligns with the ecosystem’s priorities and drives significant impression.
Introducing the New Grants Program
ESP will proceed operating a grants program open to all, however now structured by way of two pathways: Wishlist and Requests for Proposals. These channels goal the ecosystem’s most urgent wants, as recognized by groups throughout the EF.
Wishlist
The Wishlist outlines broad areas the place we see essential gaps and alternatives for progress within the ecosystem.
- Defines high-level targets that information impactful areas of labor
- Highlights broader themes somewhat than particular tasks
- Leaves room for various approaches
- Invitations builders to suggest their very own concepts and initiatives that tackle these priorities
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
RFPs describe a particular downside or alternative and invite candidates to suggest focused options.
- Focuses on clear deliverables or measurable outcomes
- Contains predefined scope, necessities, and anticipated outcomes
- Has a set utility window and estimated undertaking length
- Extra prescriptive and time-bound than Wishlist objects
Alternatives Are Open
Our first set of Wishlist objects and RFPs is now stay on our website! They span key domains reminiscent of cryptography, privateness, the appliance layer, safety, group progress, and extra—providing a variety of alternatives for builders to make an impression. Discover the objects and apply to carry your concepts to life.
When you have a undertaking concept and want steerage on whether or not it aligns with a Wishlist merchandise or RFP, we’re completely happy to supply suggestions through Office Hours, which can stay open as typical.
Wishlist objects and RFPs shall be added and up to date based mostly on the evolving wants of the ecosystem. To remain knowledgeable, observe us on X (Twitter) @EF_ESP, Farcaster @ef-esp, Lens @ef_esp, and Bluesky @ef-esp, or verify our website periodically for brand spanking new alternatives.
Our work doesn’t cease right here. We'll proceed coordinating grant-making throughout EF groups to make sure that help is aligned and impactful. Past funding, we're dedicated to enhancing the grantee expertise by offering strong help all through their journey: providing steerage, fostering connections throughout the ecosystem, and drawing insights from outcomes to information future efforts.
We’re excited to see the tasks that emerge from this primary spherical of Wishlist objects and RFPs, and sit up for collaborating with builders as we push Ethereum ahead!