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 strategy to supporting it should adapt as properly.
At this time, we’re excited to share the following step in that journey: the Ecosystem Assist Program’s (ESP) new grants program.
This announcement builds on our earlier replace, the place we briefly paused open grant functions to reassess our priorities and funding strategy. Throughout this time, we centered on designing a extra focused, impactful, and sustainable mannequin that evolves alongside Ethereum’s development.
Why We’re Evolving
The earlier open grants program efficiently supported lots of of initiatives that contributed key constructing blocks throughout Ethereum. Nevertheless, with a lean staff and broad scope, the rising quantity of functions stretched our assets, limiting our means to pursue strategic alternatives.
Our new mannequin addresses this by shifting from a reactive to a proactive strategy, working carefully with different EF groups to make sure that funding aligns with the ecosystem’s priorities and drives significant affect.
Introducing the New Grants Program
ESP will proceed working 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 necessary gaps and alternatives for progress within the ecosystem.
- Defines high-level targets that information impactful areas of labor
- Highlights broader themes relatively than particular initiatives
- Leaves room for various approaches
- Invitations builders to suggest their very own concepts and initiatives that deal with these priorities
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
RFPs describe a selected drawback or alternative and invite candidates to suggest focused options.
- Focuses on clear deliverables or measurable outcomes
- Consists of predefined scope, necessities, and anticipated outcomes
- Has a set utility window and estimated undertaking period
- Extra prescriptive and time-bound than Wishlist gadgets
Alternatives Are Open
Our first set of Wishlist gadgets and RFPs is now stay on our web site! They span key domains comparable to cryptography, privateness, the applying layer, safety, neighborhood development, and extra—providing a variety of alternatives for builders to make an affect. Discover the gadgets and apply to carry your concepts to life.
If in case you have a undertaking thought and want steerage on whether or not it aligns with a Wishlist merchandise or RFP, we’re blissful to offer suggestions through Workplace Hours, which can stay open as traditional.
Wishlist gadgets 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 web site 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 help is aligned and impactful. Past funding, we’re dedicated to enhancing the grantee expertise by offering sturdy 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 initiatives that emerge from this primary spherical of Wishlist gadgets and RFPs, and look ahead to collaborating with builders as we push Ethereum ahead!