The Ethereum Foundation pauses open ESP grants to redesign its funding model, prioritizing scaling, tooling, and interoperability. Active grantees retain support; curated grants will replace open applications with goals due in Q4 2025 while treasury spending is cut from 15% to 5% annually to preserve resources.
Pause on open ESP grants announced to redesign funding and focus on long-term priorities.
Active projects keep support; non-financial resources and office hours remain available.
EF reduces annual treasury spending from 15% to 5% to protect capital for core investments.
Ethereum Foundation pauses grants: EF pauses open ESP grants to redesign funding, prioritizing scaling and tooling — learn what this means for builders and grantees.
Ethereum Foundation pauses open grants to redesign funding models focused on scaling, tooling, and interoperability for future growth.
- Ethereum Foundation pauses open ESP grants to redesign funding for long-term priorities.
- Curated grants will replace open applications with new goals announced in Q4 2025.
- EF cuts treasury spending from 15% to 5% yearly to preserve resources for core projects.
The Ethereum Foundation has announced a pause in open applications for its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) to redesign grant operations and align funding with strategic, long-term priorities. The change aims to focus resources on scaling infrastructure, developer tooling, and interoperability across the Ethereum ecosystem.
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The pause means open grant applications are temporarily suspended while the Foundation redesigns selection criteria and processes to prioritize projects that advance scaling, tooling, and cross-chain interoperability. Active grantees will continue receiving support and non-financial resources will remain available.
The ESP launched in 2018 and has funded numerous public-good projects. In 2024 alone, the program awarded $3 million to 105 initiatives, supporting projects such as Commit-Boost, BundleBear, Web3Bridge, and Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress. The volume of inbound applications consumed significant staff capacity, limiting proactive prioritization.
The EF cited capacity constraints and the need to preserve treasury resources for long-term impact. To ensure sustainability, the Foundation implemented a treasury policy that reduces annual spending from 15% to 5% of treasury funds. This adjustment aims to preserve capital for strategic investments and core public goods over the long term.
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Source: https://en.coinotag.com/ethereum-foundation-may-pause-open-grants-signaling-shift-to-curated-funding-focused-on-scaling-and-tooling/