The Ethereum Foundation is thrilled to unveil the Academic Grants Round 2024, an esteemed initiative to nurture groundbreaking research within the Ethereum ecosystem. Building upon the resounding success of the 2023 round, wherein 43 projects spanning 20 countries were funded, we are fervently committed to perpetuating our support for academic endeavors. Embracing an expansive spectrum of domains encompassing applied and theoretical cryptography, economics, game theory, security, consensus protocols, formal verification, p2p networking, society and regulation, and hardware, our primary objective is to galvanize research endeavors that propel the Ethereum ecosystem towards unprecedented heights.
Reflections on Past Success:
In the preceding year, their call for applications resonated globally, culminating in a staggering influx of 250 proposals, a testament to the big interest of the academic community in Ethereum. Bolstered by this overwhelming response, we hope to broaden our outreach, inviting an even greater array of researchers and institutions from diverse geographical locations to partake in this transformative journey. Through the auspices of this grant round, the Ethereum Foundation underscores its unwavering dedication to fostering scholarly pursuits that surmount challenges and unlock new vistas of opportunity.
Call to Action:
They are on the lookout for proposals that not only align with their wish list but also embody innovative perspectives and methodologies. They implore applicants to draw inspiration from the wish list and cogitate creatively on how their research can enrich the Ethereum ecosystem.
Benefits:
This grant round boasts a formidable allocation of up to $1 Million, slated for distribution amongst selected projects.
Projects are envisioned to span 6 to 12 months, albeit with a degree of flexibility contingent upon the project proposal.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Projects must engender formal academic research.
- Research outputs must be open-access, and furnished with a free and permissive license.
Ineligibility Criteria:
- Projects contravening local legal statutes.
- Financial products and services, such as trading platforms, investment products, stablecoins, lending or betting platforms, etc.
- Art projects or social impact initiatives fall outside the purview of this round.
- Projects solicit retroactive funding.
- Projects harboring intentions of a token launch or public funding round.
Selection Process:
- Applications are meticulously scrutinized on a case-by-case basis, with the potential for multiple submissions contingent upon the uniqueness and alignment of each proposal with the stipulated requirements and objectives of this round.
- Evaluation criteria encompass an array of facets including the impact of proposed research outputs, the caliber of the research team, clarity, conciseness, and organization of the proposal, alignment with wishlist areas, potential for long-term engagement within the Ethereum ecosystem, and the efficacy of visualizations in elucidating research insights to a non-technical audience.
Method of Application: Click Here to Apply
- All applications must be accompanied by a written proposal in PDF format.
- Proposals are to be articulated in English and must encompass a comprehensive description, budget, and timeline delineating the proposed scope of work.
- Applicants are mandated to furnish an applicant profile along with a public repository or link to published work.
- A template for proposal submission is provided, catering to ideas and projects at various stages of development, ranging from the ideation phase to fleshed-out projects.
Application Deadline: March 4, 2024