The Ethereum Foundation has suspended new grant applications to the Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) to rethink how builders and projects are funded.
The suspension, announced on August 29, will be announced as the foundation appears to restructure its approach to ecosystem development and tailor its grants to a long-term priorities.
A detailed roadmap is expected for the fourth quarter of 2025, which outlines new funding priorities.
The Open Grants Channel will be temporarily suspended, but the ESP will continue to support existing grantees and public goods funding. The team also committed to maintaining business hours where builders can receive guidance, feedback or connections to non-financial resources.
Why the Ethereum Foundation is suspending grants
The organization said the rapid growth in Ethereum’s size and complexity has created pressure to adapt its funding model. Instead of continuing a system to accommodate grant requests, the foundation hopes to shift to projects that actively support ESPs respond to strategic needs.
This migration will allow resources to be deployed and have the most lasting impact on Ethereum’s ease of use and resilience.
addition:
“The change will allow time to redirect the focus on strategic initiatives and redesign in a way that moves from a reactive model to a more aggressive model that supports the priorities of other EF teams.”
Meanwhile, the foundation emphasized that its value remains the same. These include funding for open source infrastructure, research, and developer tools. Supporting community initiatives. Enhance resources that benefit the wider Ethereum network.
Since its creation in 2018, ESP has evolved from a simple grant program to a broader initiative that provides financial and non-financial support to Ethereum Builders.
In 2024 alone, nearly $3 million was distributed to 105 projects spanning developer tools, data analytics, education, research and community events.
Past beneficiaries include Commit-Boost, BundleBear, Web3Bridge, ZK Playbook, and Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress.
