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In recent years, the Ethereum ecosystem has expanded in complexity, variety, and sophistication. Creators and communities around the globe have pushed the limits of what’s achievable, developing new instruments, protocols, and communal resources that enhance the network as a whole. As the ecosystem evolves, our method of supporting it must also transform.
Today, we’re thrilled to present the next phase in that journey: the Ecosystem Support Program’s (ESP) revamped grants initiative.
This announcement builds upon our earlier update, during which we temporarily halted open grant submissions to reevaluate our priorities and funding strategy. Throughout this period, we concentrated on crafting a more focused, impactful, and sustainable framework that adapts alongside Ethereum’s evolution.
Why We’re Transforming
The former open grants initiative effectively supported countless projects which contributed essential components throughout Ethereum. However, with a streamlined team and broad mandate, the increasing number of applications strained our resources, hindering our capacity to pursue strategic prospects.
Our restructured model addresses this challenge by transitioning from a reactive stance to a proactive one, collaborating closely with various EF teams to guarantee that funding corresponds with the ecosystem’s priorities and fosters significant impact.
Presenting the New Grants Initiative
ESP will persist in running a grants program available to everyone, but now organized through two pathways: Wishlist and Requests for Proposals. These routes target the ecosystem’s most urgent demands, as identified by teams throughout the EF.
Wishlist
The Wishlist details extensive domains where we perceive significant gaps and opportunities for advancement in the ecosystem.
- Establishes high-level objectives that direct impactful areas of endeavor
- Emphasizes broader concepts rather than specific initiatives
- Allows for a variety of approaches
- Encourages creators to submit their own ideas and projects that tackle these priorities
Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
RFPs articulate a distinct issue or opportunity and invite candidates to propose focused solutions.
- Concentrates on explicit deliverables or quantifiable results
- Contains predefined scope, requirements, and anticipated outcomes
- Includes a specific application timeframe and estimated project length
- More prescriptive and time-limited than Wishlist entries
Possibilities Are Available
Our initial assortment of Wishlist items and RFPs is now active on our site! They cover essential areas such as cryptography, privacy, application layers, security, community expansion, and beyond—providing a diverse array of prospects for innovators to make a difference. Delve into the items and submit applications to realize your concepts.
If you possess a project concept and require advice on its compatibility with a Wishlist item or RFP, we’re glad to offer insights through our Office Hours, which will continue to be accessible as usual.
Wishlist items and RFPs will be introduced and revised according to the changing demands of the ecosystem. To remain updated, follow us on X (Twitter) @EF_ESP, Farcaster @ef-esp, Lens @ef_esp, and Bluesky @ef-esp, or visit our site regularly for fresh opportunities.
Our efforts do not conclude here. We will persist in orchestrating grant-making across EF teams to guarantee that support is coherent and effective. Besides funding, we are dedicated to improving the grantee experience by offering substantial assistance throughout their journey: providing advice, encouraging connections within the ecosystem, and gathering feedback from outcomes to inform future initiatives.
We’re thrilled to observe the initiatives that develop from this initial batch of Wishlist items and RFPs, and we eagerly anticipate partnering with innovators as we advance Ethereum!
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