Is Vitalik Tightening Ethereum Foundation's Reins?
2026-02-03 • Ian Irizarry
TL;DR
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is entering a period of "mild austerity," as announced by co-founder Vitalik Buterin. This strategic shift aims to balance an aggressive technical roadmap with long-term financial sustainability, impacting how companies seeking funding should approach the EF.
Ethereum Foundation's Funding Shake-Up: What It Means for You
Here’s the thing: Vitalik Buterin recently shared that the Ethereum Foundation is dialing back its spending a bit, entering what he calls a phase of "mild austerity." This isn’t just about cutting costs randomly. The goal is to keep pushing Ethereum's ambitious tech upgrades forward without running into money troubles down the line. If you’re chasing EF funding, you’ll want to pay attention because this means their priorities are shifting—and fast.
Why Tighten the Purse Strings?
The EF’s move boils down to two big goals:
They want to turbocharge Ethereum’s scalability and performance but without sacrificing decentralization.
They also need to make sure the foundation can keep running strong financially, even in tough times.
I’ve found that Vitalik stresses this approach lets the EF fund the most critical work aggressively while steering clear of financial risks that might compromise its independence. So while it sounds strict, it’s really about being smart with resources. Oh, and just a heads-up: if your project depends heavily on open-ended funding, this new mindset might mean you’ll have to rethink your strategy a bit.
Grants Program: What’s Changing?
The EF hit pause on its open grants program—which kicked off in 2018 and handed out over $3 million to more than 100 projects. Why? The flood of applications made it tough for them to focus on bigger, strategic opportunities. Instead, they rolled out a fresh grants system with two paths:
Wishlist: Broad themes where builders pitch ideas that fit those areas.
Requests for Proposals (RFPs): More specific challenges with clear goals and deliverables.
This way, funding lines up better with the EF’s priorities. It’s a more targeted approach that should make things clearer, even if it feels a little less open-ended than before.
Making Your Project EF-Friendly
Want to boost your chances with the new EF funding setup? Here’s what I’d suggest:
Dive into the Wishlist and RFPs to get a solid grip on what EF cares about right now.
Focus especially on core infrastructure and privacy—EF is pumping more resources here, so projects in these areas tend to get more love.
And don’t forget to clearly show how your work supports Ethereum’s long-term health and mission.
Other Places to Look for Funding
Not getting EF grants? No worries. The Ethereum world is big and full of options:
The Ethereum Collective Foundation (ECF) helps new talent join the community and supports collaboration.
Filecoin Retroactive Public Goods Funding backs projects linked to Filecoin’s decentralized storage and open-source tools.
Galxe’s Gravity Ecosystem Fund focuses on DeFi developers building on their platform.
So, while EF’s wallet might be a bit tighter, there are still plenty of fish in the sea if you know where to look.
FAQs
Q: How can I stay updated on EF's funding opportunities?
A: Follow the EF's Ecosystem Support Program on social media platforms like X (Twitter) and check their website regularly for new Wishlist items and RFPs.
Q: Are there mentorship programs available for Ethereum startups?
A: Yes, the EF has launched the Founders Lab, a mentorship-based acceleration program for founders of Ethereum ecosystem startups. The program provides one-on-one mentoring to selected teams. panewslab — Founders Lab mentorship article
Q: What types of projects are most likely to receive funding from the EF now?
A: Projects that align with the EF's strategic priorities, such as core infrastructure, privacy, and long-term security, are more likely to receive funding. Review the current Wishlist and RFPs for specific areas of interest.
Navigating the Ethereum Foundation's new funding landscape requires understanding its strategic shift and aligning your projects accordingly. By focusing on the foundation's priorities and exploring alternative funding sources, your company can continue to thrive within the Ethereum ecosystem.