- Ethereum Foundation has redesigned its grant program to focus on targeted funding for key ecosystem priorities.
- This change aligns with the upcoming Fusaka upgrade, which aims to improve Ethereum’s scalability, efficiency, and data handling.
The Ethereum Foundation has introduced a major change to its grant system under the Ecosystem Support Program (ESP). The update replaces the previous open application process with a more focused model designed to direct funds toward strategic priorities and core development needs.
1/ ESP’s grant applications are now OPEN! ✨
Our new grants program is structured through two pathways:
💡 Wishlist
🎯 Requests for Proposals (RFPs)Explore the new opportunities and apply below!https://t.co/qg4gBL62ED
— EF Ecosystem Support Program (@EF_ESP) November 3, 2025
A More Targeted Funding Approach
Since its launch in 2018, Ethereum’s open grant system has supported hundreds of projects. In 2024 alone, it funded 105 initiatives with around USD 3 million. However, the growing number of applications made it harder to manage and align funding with long-term ecosystem goals.
To solve this, the Foundation has shifted to a targeted funding framework. The new approach introduces two main routes: a wishlist outlining Ethereum’s key priorities, and requests for proposals (RFPs) that invite developers to address specific ecosystem challenges. Priority areas include cryptography, privacy, security, developer tools, and community growth. This shift ensures that funding supports the most critical and impactful projects.
Aligned With the Fusayka Network Upgrade
The timing of the grant program overhaul matches the upcoming Fusayka upgrade, scheduled for December 3, 2025. Fusayka is set to deliver major improvements in scalability, data availability, and validator efficiency.
Several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) will be part of the update. EIP-7594 will introduce partial data retrieval, reducing the workload on nodes. EIP-7825 and EIP-7935 will help ease gas constraints and enhance processing performance, setting the stage for future parallel execution.
These upgrades follow the Pectra update from May 2025, which improved staking and wallet operations. Together, these milestones show Ethereum’s steady progress toward a faster and more efficient blockchain network.
Testing Nears Completion
Testing for Fusaka has already started on the Houdini, Holesky, and Sepolia testnets. The mainnet launch will follow after final validations, marking one of Ethereum’s biggest steps toward enhanced scalability and sustainability.
With the revamped grant system, the Ethereum Foundation aims to ensure that every funded project aligns closely with the network’s evolving needs. This strategic approach strengthens Ethereum’s ecosystem while preparing developers and researchers for the next phase of blockchain innovation.
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