Ethereum represents a dynamic organism, dispersed across temporal and spatial dimensions, reachable via our displays and communication gadgets. What fuels its existence are the countless human connections that have become entwined with the roots, branches, and leaves of the Ethereum state tree. This solitary tree encapsulates vast value, digital assets, and dapp functionality — not a negligible fraction of human endeavors.
However, the individuals who currently breathe life into Ethereum do not encompass all people — numerous gaps across cultures, nationalities, and socioeconomic classes must be closed. The applications and innovative solutions that have thus far emerged and been promoted by web3 developers do not yet embody the genuine potential of Ethereum to foster human well-being — we have not yet tapped into the depths of possibility space.
We are convinced that the innovators exist out there. We believe that those who comprehend and endeavor to counter coordination failure can glimpse rays of optimism. They possess tools with which they aim to transform the world, and Ethereum could serve as their pivot point. For Ethereum to connect with the next billion individuals, it must evolve to be advantageous not merely for techno-optimists, but for everyone on this convoluted, intricate, human planet.
Fellowship
We contend that it’s feasible to utilize Ethereum to enhance the lives of billions. But we require more than technology alone — new frameworks for understanding human interactions with one another and with their surroundings are vital. We need fresh narratives to share, new dreams for a superior future, and innovative methods of embedding our principles in code.
The Next Billion Fellowship at the Ethereum Foundation seeks stories: Narratives that inspire us to concentrate on what truly matters, to pursue fairness and equilibrium in our approaches to problem-solving, and to delve deeper into the enigmas of human collaboration.
We are in search of change agents, visionaries, and pragmatists. We seek stories that reflect our finest qualities, allowing us to better envision a world where we utilize the resources available, roll up our sleeves, and embark on the long and arduous task of lifting the world from a coordination decline.
Initiating with experiments, pilots, and studies is perfectly acceptable. Tales of disproven theories, underappreciated hurdles, and discordant incentives are immensely valuable in the pursuit of new change frameworks. We remain at the outset of a long journey into uncharted territory — cartography is a challenging yet rewarding venture.
Fellows may work independently or as part of a larger organization. Some fellows could be directly building, designing and experimenting with innovative technologies that address age-old challenges. Others might possess a keen interest in specific human contexts, investigating and disseminating their insights with other creators within the Ethereum ecosystem to assist them in crafting superior solutions. There are no rigorous prerequisites for a Next Billion Fellowship project except one: sincerity.
Next Billion Fellows should be on a personal journey. The Fellowship is neither the commencement nor conclusion of their path, but it may offer some assistance that propels a fellow closer to their ambitious goals. Regardless of the initiative or the fellow, the quest must be anchored in the interest of the collective good.
Call for applicants
We aspire to support you on your quest!
The Next Billion Fellowship cohort 3 will commence in late June 2023. If you are striving to create a positive impact in the world using Ethereum, please visit our website and submit your application by April 28, 2023. We will evaluate all applications and select candidates whose ideas can significantly affect humanity through Ethereum-enabled solutions or protocols aligned with public good objectives.
The Fellowship Program provides mentorship from knowledgeable experts, access to resources from the Ethereum Foundation & Ethereum community, financial backing, and opportunities for networking and media coverage.
Next Billion
Team Next Billion at the Ethereum Foundation endeavors to identify the supporters and impediments to Ethereum’s next billion users. We explore the fringes of public good potential, seeking out new applications, contexts, and communities that reveal how Ethereum could become a tool for the next billion.
If you’re interested in discussing matters beyond the scope of the Next Billion Fellowship, get in touch with us here or send us a DM on Twitter @EFNextBillion.
