Ethereum Foundation transitions! Active grant mechanism launched: Cryptography and security are the first key funding areas.

The Ethereum Foundation's Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) announced a revamp of its funding model on November 3, 2025, shifting from a passive application acceptance to an active approach, focusing on strategic opportunities within the ecosystem. This move aims to address the previous issue of overwhelming application volume exceeding limited resources. The first batch of funding directions has covered Cryptography, privacy protection, Application Layer, security, and community growth. This shift in model signifies that future support for Ethereum public goods will be more precise and efficient.

ESP Funding Model Upgrade: From “Passive Response” to “Strategic Drive”

According to Cryptonews, the Ethereum Foundation's ESP team announced reforms to its grant program, focusing on concentrating resources on key areas identified in collaboration with other foundation groups to ensure that funding drives meaningful impact.

• Background of Reform and Resource Constraints: The foundation pointed out that while the previous open funding programs successfully supported hundreds of projects, with the development of the ecosystem, the number of applications surged, exceeding the processing capacity of the streamlined team, limiting the pursuit of strategic opportunities.
• New dual-track path: The new model clarifies requirements and outcomes by setting up two tracks: “Wishlist” and “RFP”.
• Wishlist (: Set high-level goals, allowing builders to propose diverse solutions to achieve these goals, maintaining flexibility in innovative approaches.
• Request for Proposal )RFP(: It sets the expected deliverables, scope, application window, and estimated duration for clearly defined issues, providing clear measurement criteria and timelines.

Focus on Core Areas: Cryptography and Application Layer Development Welcome New Opportunities

The Ethereum Foundation has launched the first batch of wishlist projects and RFPs, which directly indicates the priority directions for ecosystem development in the near future, attracting the attention of developers in related fields.

• Key focus areas: The currently open funding directions include Cryptography )cryptography(, privacy protection )privacy(, Application Layer )application layer(, security )security(, and community rise.
• Continuous Grant Process: Unlike traditional one-time rounds, ESP will continuously add and update wishlist items and RFPs based on the evolving needs of the ecosystem, ensuring the sustainability of funding flows.
• Supporting Mechanism: In addition to financial support, the ESP also plans to coordinate with other foundation groups to provide guidance to grantees and connect them with industry peers, ensuring that project outcomes can feed back into future funding decisions.

Developer Guide and Next Steps: How to Effectively Apply for Funding

To help developers accurately identify suitable funding channels, the ESP team continues to provide consultation services during office hours )Office Hours(.

• Align strategic direction: Developers can use office hours to confirm whether their project concept aligns with the goals of the wish list or is better suited for a certain active RFP, thereby locking in the correct application track from the very beginning.
• Operational Advice: It is recommended that all developers intending to apply for funding prioritize reviewing the published RFP details (including timelines and expected outcomes) to maximize the success rate of their applications and utilize office hours for proof of concept.

Conclusion

The transformation of the funding model of the Ethereum Foundation marks its entry into a more strategically planned phase of ecosystem support. By focusing on proactive funding in Cryptography, security, and the Application Layer, the Foundation is striving to maximize ecological value with limited resources, which is crucial for enhancing the overall robustness and application breadth of Ethereum.