The Ethereum Foundation will pause open grant applications and redesign the grant program.

On August 29th, the Ethereum Foundation stated in a post that its grant program was launched in 2018 and has gradually transformed into the Ecosystem Support Program (ESP). The purpose of ESP is to assist the Ethereum ecosystem in thriving by providing grants and support. By 2024, through the public grant program web form, ESP had allocated nearly $3 million to 105 projects and initiatives. In order to better align with EF's updated ecosystem development strategy, the Foundation is adjusting the priorities and approach of ESP. As part of this transition, the open grant application process has been temporarily paused. This change will give the Foundation time to redesign the program, shifting the focus from a reactive mode to a more proactive mode while supporting the priorities of other EF teams. Funding for Ethereum public goods will continue, and applications will still be accepted, but in a new format. Further details will be announced in future posts.