Ethereum Foundation Halts Open Grant Applications to Concentrate on Key Strategic Goals

Ethereum Foundation's Grant Program Changes

• Pause on Open Applications: The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has decided to pause open applications for its Ecosystem Support Program to redesign its funding structure, focusing on long-term strategic priorities and better resource allocation.
• Funding History: Since its inception in 2018, the program has funded numerous projects, awarding $3 million to 105 initiatives in 2024 alone, including notable projects like Commit-Boost and BundleBear.

Strategic Focus and Resource Management

• Resource Allocation: The high volume of applications has strained the EF team's capacity, limiting their ability to provide proactive support for high-priority projects. Active grantees will continue to receive support, and builders can access non-financial resources.
• Treasury Spending Reduction: To ensure sustainability, the EF has reduced its treasury spending from 15% to 5% annually, preserving resources for core projects and long-term investments.

Future Direction of the Grant Program

• New Priorities: The updated grant strategy will emphasize scaling infrastructure, developer tooling, and interoperability within Ethereum’s ecosystem, addressing challenges like fragmentation among layer-2 networks.
• Ecosystem Value: Ethereum's ecosystem currently boasts over $91 billion in total value locked in DeFi and $148 billion in stablecoins, with the EF aiming to maintain its competitive edge against rivals like Solana and Avalanche.
• Curated Grants Announcement: Curated grants will replace open applications, with refined goals set to be announced in Q4 2025, aligning funding with Ethereum’s roadmap and ecosystem priorities.