Ethereum Foundation May Pause Open Grants, Signaling Shift to Curated Funding Focused on Scaling and Tooling

• 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.

What does the Ethereum Foundation pause of ESP grants mean?

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.

How did the Ecosystem Support Program perform before the pause?

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.

Why is the Ethereum Foundation changing its funding model now?

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.

What priorities will the new curated grant model target?

The redesigned approach will prioritize:

• Scaling infrastructure: solutions that increase transaction throughput and reduce long-term costs.
• Developer tooling: tools that improve developer experience and accelerate secure dApp development.
• Interoperability: work that addresses fragmentation across layer-2 networks and cross-chain coordination.

When will the new goals and curated grants be announced?

The Foundation expects to publish refined goals and the curated grants framework in Q4 2025. Until then, funding decisions will prioritize continuity for active grantees while the team finalizes selection criteria and strategic objectives aligned with Ethereum’s roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will current ESP grantees lose funding?

Current, active grantees will continue to receive support under existing commitments. The pause affects only new open applications while the Foundation develops the curated grant model.

How can builders access non-financial resources during the pause?

Builders can still access mentorship, office hours, and community resources offered by the Foundation; these non-financial services remain available to support development and coordination.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic pause: EF pauses open ESP grants to redesign funding toward long-term priorities.
• Curated grants: Open applications will be replaced by a curated model with goals announced in Q4 2025.
• Treasury discipline: Annual spending reduced from 15% to 5% to preserve resources for core projects.

Conclusion

The Ethereum Foundation’s pause of open ESP grants signals a shift toward more targeted, strategic funding focused on scaling, tooling, and interoperability. Active projects remain supported, and the curated model—expected in Q4 2025—aims to align grants with Ethereum’s long-term roadmap. Builders should prepare for new application criteria and continued non-financial support.