The Ethereum Foundation has revamped its grant program under a new funding approach, shifting from an open application model to a more focused and strategic Ecosystem Support Program (ESP). The Foundation announced the changes on Monday, November 3, 2025, outlining a dual approach to grant distribution moving forward.
The decision to overhaul the grant program followed a temporary pause in open applications in late August 2025, which allowed the Ethereum Foundation to reassess its priorities and funding strategy. The Foundation acknowledged that the growing volume of applications under the previous model stretched its resources and limited its ability to pursue strategic opportunities. The new model seeks to address these challenges by taking a more proactive approach, working closely with internal teams to align funding with the ecosystem's priorities and drive meaningful impact.
Under the revamped program, grants will be distributed through two main channels: a "Wishlist" and "Requests for Proposals" (RFPs).
- Wishlist: The Wishlist outlines broad areas where the Ethereum Foundation sees important gaps and opportunities for progress within the ecosystem. It defines high-level goals that guide impactful areas of work, highlights broader themes rather than specific projects, leaves room for diverse approaches, and invites builders to propose their own ideas and initiatives that address these priorities. The Wishlist is designed to inspire proposals that advance Ethereum in strategic directions, covering areas such as cryptography, privacy, security, and community development.
- Requests for Proposals (RFPs): RFPs describe specific problems or opportunities and invite proposals with clear deliverables or measurable outcomes. These are narrowly scoped, goal-driven calls with defined outcomes, specific requirements, and expectations. This allows the Foundation to directly address known gaps or urgent ecosystem needs.
The Ethereum Foundation emphasizes that this new model is designed to be more targeted, impactful, and sustainable, evolving alongside Ethereum's growth. By focusing on key ecosystem priorities, the Foundation aims to ensure that funding is directed toward projects that will have the greatest positive impact on the Ethereum network.
The first round of Wishlist items and RFPs is now live, covering areas like cryptography, privacy, security, and community growth. The Ethereum Foundation plans to continuously add and update Wishlist items and RFPs based on the evolving needs of the ecosystem.
The Ethereum Foundation first launched its grants program in 2018 to support builders contributing to the ecosystem. In 2024, 105 projects and initiatives received around $3 million in support. The Foundation's new approach to grant-making reflects its commitment to fostering innovation and adoption on the Ethereum blockchain, ensuring that resources are used effectively to support the network's continued growth and development.
In addition to the changes in the grant program, the Ethereum Foundation has also been taking a more proactive approach to supporting Ethereum ecosystem development, including the launch of a new institution-focused website to guide Wall Street firms looking to integrate Ethereum into their businesses. This comes after the appointment of two new co-directors in March. The recent Fusaka upgrade on Ethereum's final testnet, Hoodi, introduces several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) aimed at enhancing node performance and scalability.
