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Ecosystem Grants

Web3 Foundation — Grants Programme

Non-equity grants supporting the Polkadot and Kusama ecosystem

Zug, SwitzerlandEst. 2017500+ projects funded; millions in grants
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Quick Facts

Best For
Teams building within the Polkadot/Substrate ecosystem who value a transparent, community-reviewed grant process
Grant Sizes
Level 1: Up to $10K; Level 2: Up to $30K; Level 3: $30K+ with committee approval
Terms
Non-dilutive; no equity; milestone-based delivery

Overview

The Web3 Foundation's grants programme is among the most structured and process-driven in blockchain — with a fully open GitHub-based application and review process that makes it unusually transparent. Funded projects must contribute to the Polkadot or Kusama ecosystems, with a focus on pallets, tooling, bridges, wallets, and infrastructure that benefits the broader Substrate developer community. Grant levels range from DOT-denominated small grants through to larger milestone-based awards for critical infrastructure.

Focus Areas

Substrate & Polkadot DevelopmentCross-chain BridgesWallet & UX InfrastructureDeFi on PolkadotDeveloper Tooling & SDKsNetwork Security Research

Who They Fund

Polkadot / Kusama DevelopersSubstrate Pallet BuildersCross-chain Infrastructure TeamsOpen Source Contributors

How to Apply

Submit via GitHub at github.com/w3f/Grants-Program; public review process; community discussion encouraged

Frequently Asked Questions about Web3 Foundation — Grants Programme

What is the Web3 Foundation grant size range?
Web3 Foundation grants are tiered: Level 1 grants are up to $10,000 for straightforward contributions; Level 2 grants up to $30,000 for more substantial work; and Level 3 grants exceed $30,000 with committee approval for significant infrastructure projects. Grants are denominated in USD but paid in DOT or other approved currencies. The tiered structure provides a clear pathway from initial small contribution through to substantial ecosystem-building work.
Who is eligible for Web3 Foundation grants?
Web3 Foundation grants are open to teams building within the Polkadot or Kusama ecosystems — specifically covering Substrate pallet development, cross-chain bridges, wallet and UX infrastructure, DeFi on Polkadot, developer tooling and SDKs, and network security research. Projects must contribute meaningfully to the Polkadot or Substrate ecosystem; work on other chains is outside the programme's scope.
Are Web3 Foundation grants dilutive?
No — Web3 Foundation grants are non-dilutive. No equity or tokens are taken, and the programme is structured around milestone-based delivery rather than commercial terms. The open GitHub-based process makes this particularly transparent — all grant terms, milestone commitments, and disbursement schedules are publicly visible in the Grants Program repository.
What is unique about the Web3 Foundation grant application process?
The Web3 Foundation runs a fully open, GitHub-based grant process — applications are submitted as GitHub pull requests, reviewed publicly, and discussed in open issues. This transparency is unusual in the grants world and creates genuine accountability: reviews are public, community members can contribute feedback, and the rationale for approval or rejection is documented. Teams comfortable with open-source transparency culture will find this process well-aligned with their norms.
How long do Web3 Foundation grant decisions take?
The public GitHub review process typically results in initial feedback within 2-4 weeks, with final decisions on Level 1 and Level 2 grants following soon after. Level 3 grants requiring committee approval take longer — potentially 6-8 weeks from submission to decision. The public nature of the review process means applicants can track their application's status in real time via GitHub.
How do I apply for a Web3 Foundation grant?
Applications are submitted via GitHub at github.com/w3f/Grants-Program — the repository contains detailed guidelines, milestone templates, and examples of previously approved applications. Community discussion of applications is encouraged. Teams should review accepted applications in the repository to calibrate their proposal's scope and detail level before submitting.

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