The Ecosystem Support Program updates reveal that the Ethereum Foundation (EF) has paused open grant applications as the initiative transitions into a new growth chapter.
Launched in 2018, the Ecosystem Support Program (ESP) has long been a cornerstone in financing projects that advance Ethereum’s development. In 2024 alone, the program awarded over $13 million to 105 projects spanning developer tooling, analytics, research, and education. However, the foundation announced on August 29 that it is now shifting toward a new structure aimed at streamlining processes and prioritizing strategic initiatives.
“As part of this transition, we have temporarily paused open grant applications. This change will enable us time to redesign in a way that redirects our focus toward strategic initiatives, moving from a reactive model to a more proactive one that also supports the priorities of other EF teams,” the Ecosystem Support Program team wrote in its update.
The change comes just months after a broader reorganization within EF in June 2025, which included a shake-up of the core team. The move aligns with Ethereum’s broader growth trajectory, where decentralized finance boasts over $91 billion in total value locked (TVL) and stablecoins have surpassed $148 billion in market capitalization.
While open grant applications are on hold, EF confirmed that current grant recipients will continue to receive support. Beneficiaries in the past have included Commit-Boost, BundleBear, Web3Bridge, and the Ethereum Cypherpunk Congress.
The foundation plans to unveil more details about its refined funding priorities in the fourth quarter of 2025. According to EF, this new proactive model will allow the organization to play a more strategic role in funding Ethereum’s builders, ensuring that resources are directed toward high-impact initiatives that accelerate ecosystem adoption.
