Over the previous few years, the Ethereum ecosystem has grown in depth, variety, and maturity. Builders and communities worldwide have pushed the boundaries of what’s doable, creating new instruments, protocols, and public items that strengthen the community as a complete. Because the ecosystem grows, our method to supporting it should adapt as effectively.
In the present day, we’re excited to share the following step in that journey: the Ecosystem Support Program’s (ESP) new grants program.
This announcement builds on our earlier update, the place we quickly paused open grant functions to reassess our priorities and funding method. Throughout this time, we centered 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 a whole bunch of tasks that contributed key constructing blocks throughout Ethereum. Nonetheless, with a lean group and broad scope, the rising quantity of functions stretched our assets, limiting our capacity to pursue strategic alternatives.
Our new mannequin addresses this by shifting from a reactive to a proactive method, working carefully with different EF groups to make sure that funding aligns with the ecosystem’s priorities and drives significant influence.
Introducing the New Grants Program
ESP will proceed working a grants program open to all, however now structured by 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 vital gaps and alternatives for progress within the ecosystem.
- Defines high-level targets that information impactful areas of labor
- Highlights broader themes relatively than particular tasks
- Leaves room for various approaches
- Invitations builders to suggest their very own concepts and initiatives that handle these priorities
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
RFPs describe a particular drawback 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 mission period
- Extra prescriptive and time-bound than Wishlist objects
Alternatives Are Open
Our first set of Wishlist objects and RFPs is now reside on our website! They span key domains equivalent to cryptography, privateness, the appliance layer, safety, neighborhood progress, and extra—providing a variety of alternatives for builders to make an influence. Discover the objects and apply to carry your concepts to life.
In case you have a mission thought and want steering on whether or not it aligns with a Wishlist merchandise or RFP, we’re joyful 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, comply with us on X (Twitter) @EF_ESP, Farcaster @ef-esp, Lens @ef_esp, and Bluesky @ef-esp, or test our website periodically for brand spanking new alternatives.
Our work doesn’t cease right here. We are going to proceed coordinating grant-making throughout EF groups to make sure that assist is aligned and impactful. Past funding, we’re dedicated to enhancing the grantee expertise by offering strong assist all through their journey: providing steering, 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 look ahead to collaborating with builders as we push Ethereum ahead!
