What To Know:
- The Ethereum Foundation has revamped its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP), replacing open applications with two structured tracks, Wishlist and RFPs.
- The new model aims to target funding toward high-impact areas like cryptography, privacy, and community growth.
- By refining its grants process, the Foundation plans to better align resources with ecosystem priorities and long-term development goals.
The Ethereum Foundation has launched a redesigned structure for its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP). The new model replaces the previous open-application process with two structured pathways i.e., Wishlist and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). This new model changes the way how projects across the Ethereum network receive funding.
Over the years, its ecosystem has matured with developers, researchers, and communities building tools and protocols that improves the network’s infrastructure. As the foundation of decentralized applications, Ethereum now supports an increasingly diverse range of initiatives from zero-knowledge cryptography to scalable infrastructure and privacy-focused tools.
Ethereum Foundation Brings Changes to Grants Program Model
The new ESP framework aims to align funding more directly with these evolving needs. The Foundation says the redesigned approach will allow its small grants team to focus resources on high-impact areas while continuing to support community innovation.
Under the Wishlist track, developers are invited to propose projects that address broad priorities across Ethereum’s ecosystem. These could include efforts toward cryptography, privacy, security, or community growth. Instead of listing specific projects, the Wishlist highlights open areas where new ideas are needed and gives applicants flexibility to define their own solutions.
The RFP track has a more specific approach. It identifies well-defined issues or opportunities and calls for proposals with measurable outcomes. Each RFP includes a detailed scope, expected results, and an application window. This track is created for time-bound initiatives that can deliver tangible outcomes within a set duration.
By dividing the program into these two ways. The Ethereum Foundation hopes to create a more balanced model, one that continues to fund open innovation and also strategically address the network’s most critical gaps.
In the announcement, the Foundation said that the earlier version of ESP had successfully funded hundreds of projects, contributing to some of Ethereum’s core building blocks. Yet, the open system also implied the team had to manage a increasing number of submissions, which sometimes limited its ability to focus on larger strategic initiatives.
The updated approach addresses this issue. Rather than waiting for proposals to come in, the Foundation can now actively direct attention and funding to specific ecosystem priorities. It also plans to collaborate more closely with internal Ethereum teams to recognize these priorities and assess outcomes.
For builders, the process remains open and transparent. The first batch of wishlist items and RFPs is already live on the ESP website. It covers topics such as cryptography, privacy, security, application-layer development, and community growth. These areas shed light on the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to both technical advancement and long-term ecosystem sustainability.
Applicants unsure which track fits their idea can attend ESP’s Office Hours for guidance. These sessions allow teams to discuss alignment with current priorities and receive feedback before submitting a proposal.
The Foundation emphasized that this isn’t a one-time update. Wishlist items and RFPs will change as the ecosystem does, making sure that funding continues to address the most relevant and timely challenges. Builders can follow ESP’s official channels on X, Farcaster, Lens, and Bluesky for new updates and future opportunities.
Beyond funding, the Ethereum Foundation plans to provide deeper support to grantees throughout their project lifecycle. This includes mentorship, networking opportunities, and progress tracking so that each funded project contributes measurable value to the ecosystem.
The new model is created to help the Foundation remain adaptive and resource-conscious as the network continues to grow in scale and complexity.
On the market front, Ethereum is trading at $3,599.0 after a drop of 6.4% in the past 24 hours.
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