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Over the past few years, the Ethereum ecosystem has grown in depth, diversity, and maturity. Builders and communities worldwide have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, creating new tools, protocols, and public goods that strengthen the network as a whole. As the ecosystem grows, our approach to supporting it must adapt as well.
Today, we’re excited to share the next step in that journey: the Ecosystem Support Program’s (ESP) new grants program.
This announcement builds on our earlier update, where we temporarily paused open grant applications to reassess our priorities and funding approach. During this time, we focused on designing a more targeted, impactful, and sustainable model that evolves alongside Ethereum’s growth.
Why We’re Evolving
The previous open grants program successfully supported hundreds of projects that contributed key building blocks across Ethereum. However, with a lean team and broad scope, the growing volume of applications stretched our resources, limiting our ability to pursue strategic opportunities.
Our new model addresses this by shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach, working closely with other EF teams to ensure that funding aligns with the ecosystem’s priorities and drives meaningful impact.
Introducing the New Grants Program
ESP will continue running a grants program open to all, but now structured through two pathways: Wishlist and Requests for Proposals. These channels target the ecosystem’s most pressing needs, as identified by teams across the EF.
Wishlist
The Wishlist outlines broad areas where we see important gaps and opportunities for progress in the ecosystem.
- Defines high-level goals that guide impactful areas of work
- Highlights broader themes rather than specific projects
- Leaves room for diverse approaches
- Invites builders to propose their own ideas and initiatives that address these priorities
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
RFPs describe a specific problem or opportunity and invite applicants to propose targeted solutions.
- Focuses on clear deliverables or measurable outcomes
- Includes predefined scope, requirements, and expected results
- Has a set application window and estimated project duration
- More prescriptive and time-bound than Wishlist items
Opportunities Are Open
Our first set of Wishlist items and RFPs is now live on our website! They span key domains such as cryptography, privacy, the application layer, security, community growth, and more—offering a wide range of opportunities for builders to make an impact. Explore the items and apply to bring your ideas to life.
If you have a project idea and need guidance on whether it aligns with a Wishlist item or RFP, we’re happy to provide feedback via Office Hours, which will remain open as usual.
Wishlist items and RFPs will be added and updated based on the evolving needs of the ecosystem. To stay informed, follow us on X (Twitter) @EF_ESP, Farcaster @ef-esp, Lens @ef_esp, and Bluesky @ef-esp, or check our website periodically for new opportunities.
Our work doesn’t stop here. We will continue coordinating grant-making across EF teams to ensure that support is aligned and impactful. Beyond funding, we are committed to enhancing the grantee experience by providing robust support throughout their journey: offering guidance, fostering connections across the ecosystem, and drawing insights from outcomes to guide future efforts.
We’re excited to see the projects that emerge from this first round of Wishlist items and RFPs, and look forward to collaborating with builders as we push Ethereum forward!
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