Ethereum Foundation Relaunches Proactive Ecosystem Support Grants Program

The Ethereum Foundation has revamped its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) grant model to better align funding with strategic priorities and the ecosystem's evolving needs. After a temporary pause, the program now operates through two structured tracks: a Wishlist, which outlines broad priority areas such as cryptography, privacy, security, and community growth, and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), which focus on specific problems with defined deliverables and timelines. This new model shifts from a reactive open-application process to a proactive approach, enabling the small ESP team to concentrate resources on high-impact projects and coordinate closely with other Foundation groups. The program remains open to applicants, with guidance provided via Office Hours to help align proposals with the appropriate track. This redesign aims to sustain innovation and growth within Ethereum's increasingly complex ecosystem, following past challenges of handling a high volume of applications with limited resources. The updated ESP grant program supports Ethereum's ongoing development and positions the network for long-term success.