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Ecosystem Grants

Ethereum Foundation — Ecosystem Support Programme

Non-dilutive grants for research and development benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem

Zug, SwitzerlandEst. 2014 (grants programme formalised 2018)Hundreds of millions granted to date
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Quick Facts

Best For
Open source Ethereum infrastructure, protocol research, and tooling projects that benefit the broader ecosystem without a direct commercial model
Grant Sizes
$5,000–$1,000,000+ (most awards $30K–$300K)
Terms
Non-dilutive; no equity or tokens taken; milestone-based reporting required

Overview

The Ethereum Foundation's Ecosystem Support Programme (ESP) is the most prestigious source of non-dilutive funding for Ethereum-related research and development. Grants range from small ($5K–$50K) community grants for educational content and tooling to substantial awards ($500K+) for foundational protocol research. The EF funds work on Ethereum client development, ZK research, cryptographic primitives, developer tooling, and educational initiatives that benefit the ecosystem as a whole. A successful ESP grant carries significant credibility signal for technical projects.

Focus Areas

Ethereum Protocol ResearchZK & Cryptography ResearchDeveloper ToolingClient DevelopmentEducational ResourcesConsensus & Execution Layer Work

Who They Fund

Academic ResearchersOpen Source DevelopersProtocol EngineersSecurity ResearchersEducational Content Creators

How to Apply

Apply via esp.ethereum.foundation; rolling applications; clear technical scope and measurable outcomes essential

Frequently Asked Questions about Ethereum Foundation — Ecosystem Support Programme

What is the Ethereum Foundation ESP grant size range?
ESP grants range from $5,000 community grants for educational content and tooling through to $1,000,000+ for foundational protocol research, with the majority of awards falling in the $30,000 to $300,000 range. Grant size is determined by the scope, impact potential, and technical ambition of the proposed work — not by the applicant's organisation size or prior funding history.
Who is eligible for Ethereum Foundation ESP grants?
The ESP funds academic researchers, open source developers, protocol engineers, security researchers, and educational content creators — anyone doing work that benefits the Ethereum ecosystem as a whole. Commercial projects seeking revenue-generating products are generally outside the programme's scope; ESP prioritises public goods work that benefits the ecosystem without a direct commercial model attached.
Are Ethereum Foundation grants dilutive?
No — ESP grants are entirely non-dilutive. The Ethereum Foundation takes no equity, no tokens, and no revenue share in exchange for grants. The only obligation is milestone-based reporting on the work funded, providing accountability without commercial entanglement. This makes ESP grants uniquely valuable at the earliest stage when dilution is most costly.
How long does the Ethereum Foundation grant decision process take?
The ESP review process typically takes 6-12 weeks from application submission to initial decision, though this varies based on application volume and complexity. Grants for larger, more complex technical work may require additional review rounds. Teams should plan for a 2-3 month window from application to funding receipt for straightforward proposals.
How do I apply for an Ethereum Foundation ESP grant?
Applications are submitted via esp.ethereum.foundation on a rolling basis — there are no fixed application windows. A clear technical scope, measurable outcomes, and demonstrated understanding of the Ethereum protocol are essential components of a strong application. Teams should also demonstrate that the work genuinely benefits the broader ecosystem rather than primarily serving the applicant's commercial interests.
What types of projects does the Ethereum Foundation prioritise?
The ESP prioritises Ethereum protocol research (consensus and execution layer work), ZK and cryptography research, developer tooling and client development, educational resources, and security research. Projects working on Ethereum's core scaling roadmap (danksharding, ZK-EVM research, PBS) are well-positioned. Applications should clearly articulate how the proposed work advances the Ethereum ecosystem's public goods rather than the applicant's specific product.

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