What happened?
The Ethereum Foundation has temporarily paused new grant applications for its Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) as of August 29. This decision was made to reevaluate its funding approach and shift from a reactive application model to a more strategic and proactive funding model. Despite the pause, support for current grantees will continue, and office hours will remain available for guidance.
Who does this affect?
This affects developers and organizations seeking new funding opportunities through Ethereum’s ESP, as no new grant requests will be reviewed until late 2025. It impacts underrepresented regions and communities that may have relied on open access to these resources. Existing grantees will not be affected, and they can still receive support and feedback from the program.
Why does this matter?
The pause in open grant applications may lead to increased competition for alternative funding sources, such as DAO treasuries and venture capital, impacting the Ethereum ecosystem’s development landscape. With ESP shifting toward a more strategic funding approach, there may be a focus on areas that are structurally under-supported but critical to Ethereum’s technical foundation. The market impact could result in more coordinated funding efforts among different entities to sustain momentum in Ethereum’s growth and innovation.