The Ethereum Foundation Unveils Updated Grant System
Date: 2025-11-05 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: BUSINESS
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) announced a restructuring of its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP), which plays a key role in developing the Ethereum network's infrastructure and public goods. The new grant format aims to make the support process more thoughtful and strategically focused on ecosystem priorities.
In an official statement, the EF noted that the Ethereum ecosystem has grown significantly in complexity and expansion in recent years, bringing together numerous teams and communities around the world. Developers are creating innovative protocols, tools, and solutions that strengthen the network, and now, according to the foundation, the time has come to update its approach to grant distribution.
The updated program includes two new tracks—Wishlist and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). These reflect key requests and objectives of the ecosystem, based on feedback from teams working with the foundation.
The Wishlist covers strategic areas where the Ethereum Foundation sees potential for development. This section sets priority areas and outlines long-term goals, while also leaving room for developer initiatives to propose their own solutions. In this way, the Foundation aims to foster creativity and initiative from the community.
RFPs, on the other hand, are specific requests with clear scope and expected outcomes. Each project in this format must propose a solution to a specific problem, including an implementation plan, timeline, and measurable performance indicators.
The Ethereum Foundation noted that the transition to the new structure is driven by the need to increase the strategic impact of grants. Previously, the open support program helped hundreds of teams create fundamental components of the ecosystem, but as the number of applications grew, the Foundation team faced resource constraints. The new approach will shift from reactive fund allocation to proactive priority management.
The first Wishlist items and RFPs have already been published on the Foundation's website. They cover areas such as cryptography, security, privacy, community development, and the creation of practical solutions.
Additionally, the EF will continue to provide consultations to developers who wish to clarify how their ideas align with the current program directions.
The Foundation emphasized that the ESP upgrade goes beyond simple grants. It plans to create a long-term support ecosystem, including mentoring, networking, and analysis of results to further refine the programs.
These changes come amid internal transformations within the Ethereum Foundation. In October, the organization created the Privacy Cluster, a division dedicated to the development of digital privacy technologies. The Fusaka test hard fork was also recently activated, preparing the network for a major upgrade scheduled for December 2025.
