Top 15 Blockchain Grants to Fund Your Web 3.0 Product in 2023

Blockchain has changed the digital space once and for all. Thus, it’s unsurprising that the blockchain development sector is booming today, with a CAGR of 56%+ and an expected market size of $163+ billion by 2029. 

Hundreds of blockchain-based projects pop up daily, and every ecosystem and protocol works hard to preserve their value and significance. Community-based development initiatives are one of the aspects blockchain companies use to move forward and respond to user needs. Thus, many blockchain projects have launched grant programs to incentivize contributors and hand-pick the most promising use cases and proposals in line with their mission, vision, and values. 

If you’re a small startup or an individual coder passionate about Web3, look through the list of currently ongoing grant programs to find a source of funding for your business ideas. It’s pretty easy to start out in the Web3 world supporting enthusiasts like you!

How to Get Funding for Your Blockchain Project? 

Most developers or startups face a major challenge: getting enough money to proceed. Vital steps to secure sufficient funding are: 

1. Determine a clear business case for your app or development project; identify what pain points it may resolve for the business or users.
2. Choose a specific blockchain to base your development on. This way, you will narrow your focus and deliver a suitable solution for a specific company. 
3. For projects with an end-user in mind, you may opt for crowdfunding. Place a project’s description on a crowdfunding platform and collect funds from interested users, sharing your profits with them upon a successful launch. 
4. Look out for angel investors; scan the market to see what products and technologies such venture capitalists are interested in now and apply with a well-formulated business proposal.

One important point to remember is that investors are generally attracted only to top-quality projects with no security loopholes and a clear, consistent whitepaper and logic. Thus, it’s necessary to hire qualified developers to build your project, ensuring that you end up with a product interesting for all stakeholders. 

What You Should Know about Crypto Grant Programs 

The Web3 market is abundant in mature and emerging projects, each with something to offer investors and users. Thus, before going on a hunt for financing, you need to sort the existing grant programs by specific parameters. This approach will help you weed out the grants you’re non-eligible for and concentrate on the ones with high success chances. The parameters to focus on are:

• The funding source/ organization. 
• The program’s expenses. 
• The grant’s committee 
• Program’s duration.

Top Blockchain Ecosystem Grants to Consider in 2023 

Here are the top grants you may apply for in 2023 to grab the organizations’ attention and secure sound financing for your blockchain idea. 

#1 Aptos Foundation’s Grant Program 

The Aptos grant is meant to accelerate the growth of the Aptos ecosystem. Grant applications are accepted at [email protected], with promising applicants invited for interview and required to undergo an identity screening process.

Requirements. Applicants can apply only for one grant category, with suggestions meeting the Aptos ecosystem’s current needs. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Developer tooling, SDKs, libraries, documentation, guides, and tutorials. Blockchain development tools and frameworks to encourage DeFi and NFT creation on Aptos. Core protocol contributions and upgrades. Open-source materials and education initiatives. A broad range of apps (e.g., blockchain-based social media, NFTs, dApps, payment solutions, etc.). 

Amount of funding. Not specified (distributed in USD). 

Duration. Not specified (ongoing).

#2 Injective’s Global Virtual Hackathon 

This annual virtual event is financed by Injective, a layer-1 blockchain combining the functionality of Cosmos and Ethereum for DeFi. The hackathon is meant to sponsor innovative Web3 projects and stimulate the development of Web3 ecosystems. The hackathon also allows coders with different proficiency levels to progress with their blockchain projects with the support and guidance of the brightest industry minds.

Requirements. The hackathon is meant to encourage the creation of innovative Web3 financial applications, so it welcomes applicants specializing in this sphere. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. The event is accessible to everyone, from beginners to pros. VCs, technologists, researchers, and innovative DeFi projects are welcome to contribute. 

Amount of funding. Up to $1,000,000 in monetary prizes (community choice award of $5,000, $10,000 to the third-place winner, $10,000 to the second-place winner, and $30,000 to the winner). 

Duration. The start will be announced in early 2023 (the event will take place for 4 weeks). Registration is open until March 23, 2023.

#3 CollectiveShift’s Crypto Grants Programs 

CollectiveShift has several dozen crypto grant programs to expand the blockchain ecosystem of enthusiasts and expert developers. These programs are funded by the project’s treasury to cover the project funding, committee members’ salaries, and legal fees associated with the program’s setup. Terms for each grant differ, so let’s consider them in the example of the Aave Grant.

Requirements. Developers, DeFi projects, and community builders working on Aave and having ideas to broaden and improve the Aave ecosystem. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Protocol development suggestions, applications and integrations, code audits, and Aave developer tools. Community and educational marketing initiatives, event and hackathon arrangements, Aave-based committees, subcommittees, and DAOs. 

Amount of funding. $1 million per quarter; two quarters of funding grants. 

Duration. May 10 – November 10.

#4 EOS Network Foundation 

EOS actively finances the projects and initiatives of its contributors to advance the ecosystem through research, software creation, and the Antelope code base’s effective maintenance. Applicants should file their grant applications via the GitHub web interface.

Requirements. Open-source code of grant-financed projects, MIT projects are given priority status. Projects on Apache 2.0, GPLv3, and Unilicense are also eligible for grant applications. The highest priority is assigned to proposals contributing to the EOS Network’s ecosystem. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Developers of all types and scales are eligible for participation: individuals, small teams, and companies specializing in EOS-based development. 

Amount of funding. Funding is available in three forms: individual/small grant ($10,000), team/medium grant ($50,000), and company/large grant ($50,000).  

Duration. Ongoing.

#5 Chainlink Grant Program 

Chainlink also supports its community development initiatives via a grant program for coders contributing to the ecosystem’s functionality and growth.

Requirements. Applications are reviewed in terms of their contribution to two virtuous cycles of Chainlink development: Accelerating the Oracle and Network Security Cycle. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Projects related to critical developer tooling, high-quality blockchain data, and new service development and launch on Chainlink.

Amount of funding. Not specified. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#6 The Solana Foundation Grants Program 

Solana sponsors community initiatives to improve its ecosystem’s growth, decentralization, and cybersecurity.

Requirements. Anyone can apply, from individuals to NGOs to companies to governments. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. DAO and developer tooling; academic research; climate change-related initiatives and studies; financial inclusion projects; payment and educational apps.  

Amount of funding. Exact grant sizes are not specified; funding comes from the ecosystem’s funds, Solana hackathons, and Solana Ventures. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#7 Osmosis Grants Program 

The Osmosis program aims to sponsor contributors who build value-added projects and improve the ecosystem’s infrastructure.

Requirements. Any project adding value to the Osmosis system and leveraging the Osmosis stack. Apps that require financing greater than that covered by a governance proposal. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. All projects that benefit the Osmosis system will be reviewed. They may relate to analytics, critical tooling, infrastructure, and the ecosystem’s growth. 

Amount of funding. Over $2.8 million was distributed to applicants. Grants of $5,000-$500,000 are awarded based on the project’s scale and potential value. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#8 Velas Grants Program 

Velas is a transparent blockchain ecosystem built with regard to user privacy. Its $100 million grants program was launched to support the ecosystem’s growth and preserve its competitive position in the Web3 world. 

Requirements. Submissions are accepted in English only; applications should possess a high level of professional expertise in blockchain coding and professional ethics. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Projects related to DeFi, DEX, and NFT. Games and educational game projects; initiatives with gamification elements. dApps meant to bridge Velas and off-chain sector apps, Velos-based dApps. 

Amount of funding. A general funding pool of $100 million. Grant sizes are determined based on the project’s complexity and value. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#9 Coreum Development Grants 

Coreum has recently launched a grant program supporting open-source projects that contribute to the blockchain’s growth and scalability.

Requirements. A portfolio of 1-2 successfully completed projects on Coreum; solid development expertise; an existing developer community. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Developers with innovative ideas and use cases for Coreum, passionate about the protocol and network, are welcome to apply. Projects should relate to Coreum’s smart token technology. 

Amount of funding. The grant program’s pool is 10% of the total Coreum token supply. 

Duration. Applications are accepted until March 15, 2023.

#10 Celo Foundation’s Grant Kit 

The Celo ecosystem has also launched a grant program to nurture the community efforts on its development and expansion.

Requirements. Applicants should have a viable product or service idea valuable to the Celo community. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. DeFi and NFT projects, initiatives lowering user barriers to access and boosting interoperability; creator economy and games; regenerative economics projects; developer tooling and critical infrastructure suggestions; educational and community-building initiatives. 

Amount of funding. Over $77 million is available in the Celo fund. Specific grant sizes are not indicated. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#11 Zcash Community Grants 

The Zcash grant program targets developers with fresh and effective ideas about the blockchain’s adoption and usability improvement. 

Requirements. Anyone can apply for a grant, given that their project matches the Zcash ecosystem’s improvement requirement. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Wallets, SDK projects, Zapps, ongoing service ideas, educational projects, core tooling, open RFPs, etc. 

Amount of funding. 8% of the Zcash mining reward until the second halving planned for 2024. The present-day funding pool exceeds $4.6 million in ZEC coins. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#12 The Graph Foundation Grants 

The Graph Foundation is dedicated to sustainable development and expansion of its outreach in the Web3 space. It currently holds Wave 5 of the Grants Program to support its community and finance value-added Graph apps and projects. 

Requirements. Proposals should contain clear project objectives, milestones, and a roadmap, be aligned with The Graph’s mission and vision, and come with tangible benefits for the ecosystem. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Projects related to the protocol’s infrastructure, developer tools, dApps, and subgraphs. Community-building initiatives are also eligible. 

Amount of funding. 20% of the total GRT supply. 

Duration. The program started in 2021 and is planned for the next 10 years.

#13 Stacks Grant 

The Stacks Open Internet Foundation supports its developers and community leaders with grants allocated in Funding Streams. 

Requirements. Interested individuals, teams, and companies should submit their proposals via the Stacks Foundation Grant Launchpad, ensuring they align with Stacks’ critical priorities and technical development. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Projects related to the development and execution of sBTC; innovative technologies for Stacks 2.1 upgrade and subnet development. 

Amount of funding. Each grant cohort is allocated 10% of the annual endowment of STX tokens; the size of grants is determined individually for each project. 

Duration. Ongoing.

#14 Mina Grants Program  

The Mina blockchain values its talented members’ contributions and awards quarterly grants for their efforts in the protocol’s development and improvement. 

Requirements. Anyone can nominate themselves or others for a quarterly Mina grant for their contribution to Mina blockchain’s operations. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. Projects aligned with Mina’s mission and core values; high-impact projects related to zkApps that advance the ecosystem, encourage its adoption, and improve user experience. 

Amount of funding. Not specified. 

Duration. Not specified.

#15 Avalanche Grants 

The Avalanche Foundation launched an innovative incentive for developers and community leaders titled Avalanche Universe. The project is meant to promote the adoption and expand the visibility of the blockchain’s brand-new Subnet feature that supports a vibrant dApp ecosystem. 

Requirements. Any developers with fresh ideas regarding Subnet’s promotion and development. 

Eligible Web3 project categories. New ecosystems like blockchain-enabled gaming, NFTs, and enterprise-level Subnet use cases. 

Amount of funding. The funding pool equals $290 million. 

Duration. Ongoing.

Summary

Conclusion 

As you can see, the Web3 industry is actively engaged in community support. Most reputable projects nurture their community leaders and dedicated developers by issuing grants for a meaningful contribution to their ecosystems. Thus, you can find a variety of suitable grant programs for your innovative blockchain-related ideas, provided that they have a tangible value for a specific company and are designed with the public good in mind.