Over the past few years, the Ethereum ecosystem has grown in depth, diversity, and maturity. Manufacturers and communities around the world have pushed the boundaries of what is 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 also adapt.
Today, we are excited to share the next step in this journey: the Ecosystem Support Program(ESP) new grant program.
This announcement builds on our previous updatewhere we have temporarily suspended open grant applications to re-evaluate our priorities and funding approach. During this time, we have focused on building a more focused, more impactful, and more sustainable model that scales alongside Ethereum’s growth.
Why we evolve
The previous open grants program successfully supported hundreds of projects that contributed to key elements of Ethereum. However, with a smaller team and an expanded reach, the growing volume of applications has strained our resources, limiting our ability to pursue strategic opportunities.
Our new model addresses this issue by moving from a reactive to a proactive approach, working closely with other EF teams to ensure funding aligns with ecosystem priorities and drives meaningful impact.
Presentation of the new grant program
ESP will continue to operate a grant program open to all, but now structured along two tracks: wishlist and tender. These channels target the most pressing needs of the ecosystem, as identified by FE teams.
Wishlist
The wish list outlines broad areas where we see significant 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 manufacturers 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 results
- Includes predefined scope, requirements and expected results
- Has a defined application window and estimated project duration
- More prescriptive and time-limited than wishlist items
Opportunities are open
Our first round of wishlist and tender items are now live on our website! They cover key areas such as cryptography, privacy, application layer, security, community growth, etc., providing builders with a wide range of opportunities to make an impact. Explore articles and apply to bring your ideas to life.
If you have a project idea and need advice on whether it fits a wishlist item or tender, we will be happy to provide feedback via Office hourswhich will remain open as usual.
Wishlist items and RFPs will be added and updated as ecosystem needs evolve. To stay informed, follow us on X (Twitter) @EF_ESPPrankster @ef-espObjective @ef_espand Bluesky @ef-espor see our website periodically for new opportunities.
Our work does not stop there. We will continue to coordinate grantmaking across EF teams to ensure support is consistent and effective. Beyond funding, we are committed to improving the grantee experience by providing strong support throughout their journey: offering guidance, fostering connections across the ecosystem, and learning from results to guide future efforts.
We’re excited to see the projects that will emerge from this first round of wishlist articles and RFPs, and we look forward to collaborating with builders to move Ethereum forward!
