tl;dr: Ethereum Protocol Studies returns for 2026 with new content in cryptography, lean consensus and zkEVM, as well as a new self-paced learning platform. The program begins on February 23. Visit epf.wiki to get started.
Ethereum Protocol Studies (EPS) is back. Since launching as a 10-week study group ahead of EPF5, EPS has become the primary educational on-ramp for anyone looking to understand the core Ethereum protocol. Hundreds of participants have used the program to move from general familiarity with Ethereum to reading specifications, navigating client codebases, and contributing to protocol development.
This year’s program expands in depth and format. EPS 2026 introduces two new pieces of content covering areas of the protocol that are increasingly critical to Ethereum’s roadmap, as well as a self-paced learning platform that makes the program accessible year-round.
What’s new in 2026
Cryptography
This track will focus on the fundamental mathematics and cryptography of Ethereum. With a foundation in mathematics, you will learn concepts such as elliptic curve pairings, KZG commitments, hash functions, and the constructs that shape its future, including zero-knowledge proof systems and post-quantum signature schemes.
Lean Consensus and zkEVM
With recent progress on zkEVMs, this track covers the future of Ethereum consensus. Participants will explore how zkEVM implementations prove runtime correctness and how these efforts connect to the broader goal of scaling and SNARKification of the Ethereum protocol.
A new learning platform
Previous iterations of EPS relied on live sessions, Discord chats, and the EPF wiki as the primary learning surfaces. These remain at the heart of the program. But starting this year, EPS is also available through a dedicated FOSS learning management system built on Moodle.
The platform hosts the previous EPS program as a structured, self-paced course. Each module combines video content from study group sessions with interactive assessments in the form of comprehension checks embedded directly into the lecture recordings. Participants can work through the content at their own pace, with progress tracking and clear learning objectives for each section.
The learning platform complements the live curriculum rather than replacing it. Cohort participants still benefit from seminar-style discussions with protocol engineers, real-time Q&A, and collaborative work via the EPF wiki and Discord. The platform helps track your progress, tests your knowledge and ensures the barrier to entry is as low as possible.
What to expect in 2026
EPS 2026 participants can expect:
- Introductory session on Monday February 23
- Two weeks of onboarding presenting core content via the new study platform.
- Five weeks of new content starting March 9; two sessions per week covering cryptography and lean consensus/zkEVM.
- Live seminar-style discussions with leading ETH developers, researchers and alumni
- A Discord server dedicated to protocol discussions
- Opportunities to contribute to collaborative documentation via epf.wiki
The EPF wiki: a living knowledge base
epf.wiki continues to serve as a comprehensive, community-maintained knowledge base for the Ethereum protocol. It covers execution and consensus layer specifications, client architecture, testing infrastructure, and active research areas. Participant contributions to the EPS have been essential to keeping it current and comprehensive, and we encourage everyone to help expand and refine its content.
Get involved
The study group is for anyone interested in understanding how Ethereum works at the protocol level. Whether you are a developer exploring key contributions, a researcher following the roadmap, or simply curious about the system’s internals, the program provides a structured path from fundamental concepts to advances.
Start by exploring epf.wiki and join the Discord.
