By
Bena Ilyas
May 16th, 2024
The $900,000 grant pool consists of equal contributions of $150,000 from each of the partner organizations.
The Ethereum Foundation is now accepting applications for ZK Grants, a program that aims to support and advance zero-knowledge (ZK) technology within the ETH ecosystem. This exciting opportunity is made possible through a collaboration with leading Layer 2 scaling solutions, including Aztec, Polygon, Scroll, Taiko, and zkSync. A total grant pool of $900,000 is available for deserving projects.
For those who may be unfamiliar, ZK technology enables privacy-preserving transactions on blockchains like Ethereum. By employing advanced cryptographic techniques, ZK proofs can validate information without revealing the underlying data. This is crucial for scaling Ethereum while maintaining privacy and security. The ZK Grants program seeks to foster the adoption and development of this important technology across ETH’s Layer 2 landscape.
The $900,000 grant pool consists of equal contributions of $150,000 from each of the partner organizations. Aztec and zkSync specialize in ZK technology and have created scaling solutions utilizing ZK rollups. Polygon, Scroll, and Taiko offer alternative Layer 2 designs but share a common goal of integrating ZK technology into their roadmaps. By combining their resources, these leading projects aim to fund impactful research, development, and education initiatives that benefit the entire Ethereum community.
As the Layer 2 ecosystem of Ethereum becomes increasingly intricate, the input of diverse experts becomes essential in addressing its evolving needs. The partner organizations not only provide funding but also contribute their technical expertise in evaluating proposals and allocating grants. Their objective is to promote shared standards, modularity, and collaboration within the ZK Layer 2 landscape.
To assist applicants, the partners have published a wishlist of desired projects. Key areas of focus include ZK cryptography libraries, on-chain proof verification tools, and bridges connecting ZK systems. Educational initiatives that enhance community understanding of ZK concepts are also highly encouraged.
ZK Grant Application Process
The application process for ZK Grants is now open and will continue to accept submissions until Monday, March 18th, 2024. The announcement of grantees will take place in April. Applications must be written in English and submitted in PDF format. They should provide a detailed project description, budget, and timeline.
Additionally, applicants must include their profile and provide a public repository or link to previous work. Individuals, teams, and organizations at any stage of development are eligible to apply, and multiple applications are permitted as long as they are unique and meet the requirements. The selection process for funding will be conducted on a case-by-case basis. To learn more about the eligibility criteria, please visit this link.
This is an exciting time for Ethereum and zero-knowledge technology, and the ZK Grants program represents a remarkable opportunity to advance both simultaneously. The ETH Foundation and its partners eagerly anticipate the innovative proposals that will contribute to an efficient and privacy-preserving future for Ethereum.