The world of blockchain and web3 is booming in 2025, and that means exciting opportunities for up-and-coming projects. These budding ventures often need financial support and guidance to flourish, and luckily, there’s a wealth of blockchain grant programs available to help them out. In this article, we’ll shine a light on the ten most impactful grant programs of 2025. We’ll explore what these programs focus on and how they can be a game-changer for ambitious blockchain and web3 startups.
Blockchain grant programs are becoming lifelines for startups diving into this dynamic field. They provide funding and mentorship, nurturing innovation in areas like decentralized finance, non-fungible tokens, and blockchain infrastructure. Whether you’re a passionate entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea or an established project seeking growth, these grants can be your ticket to success in the ever-evolving world of blockchain and web3.
The Rise of Blockchain Grants
Blockchain grants play a crucial role in supporting startups in the web3 arena. These grants have emerged as a lifeline for new projects aiming to contribute to the decentralized ecosystem. They go beyond just financial aid, offering mentorship, technical guidance, and chances to connect with industry experts. Whether it’s decentralized finance platforms or Layer 2 scaling solutions, blockchain grants support a wide range of projects in the web3 space, nurturing innovation and fostering growth.
Also Read: Layer 1: Definition and How does it work?
These grants are born out of a shared goal to encourage creativity and innovation in the blockchain sector. They provide not only the funding necessary for startups to flourish but also a supportive ecosystem that helps them navigate the complex world of blockchain technology. In doing so, blockchain grants contribute significantly to the growth and diversification of the decentralized landscape.
Top 11+ Blockchain Grant Providers for Web3
Web3, which represents the next evolution of the internet and relies heavily on blockchain technology, has seen substantial growth in recent years. To support the development of Web3 projects, there are various blockchain grant providers and organizations that offer funding, resources, and support to innovative projects and startups in the space. Here are 11 notable blockchain grant providers for Web3:
1. HeLa Grant Program
HeLa Grant Program welcomes participants from various fields, with a special focus on major categories like gaming, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) within the ecosystem grant blockchain. The amount of funding provided will be determined based on specific criteria.
Application Process:
- Interested individuals or projects are required to submit applications for review by the HeLa team. Go to Hela Ecosystem Grant Application
2. Rootstock Grants Program
The Rootstock Grants Program is a key initiative promoting the growth of the Rootstock ecosystem. The Grants Program comprises of a pool of $2.5M to fund novel ideas, fostered by a team of mentors that provide product, technology and marketing support to the projects that are building directly on Rootstock or that are multichain and want to integrate with the Rootstock blockchain.
If you’ve developed on Ethereum before, you’ve already got the skills you need to build on Rootstock. Use the same solidity tools and libraries that you’re used to, and apply them to the Rootstock blockchain. That includes Hardhat works, Truffle works, web3.js works, and ethers.js.
Apply to the Rootstock Grants Program here:
- Get the Rootstock Grant: Builders’ Step-by-Step Guide for a Successful Application
- Crafting Effective Project Milestones: A Guide for Rootstock Grants Program Applicants
3. Uniswap – Ecosystem Grant
Uniswap, a platform that operates on the Ethereum blockchain, is known as a decentralized exchange. They’re offering something called a “blockchain grant” for projects that want to improve the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). This grant is like financial support given to ideas and initiatives that can make DeFi even better. It’s a way to help creative people and teams who are working on cool stuff related to cryptocurrencies and digital money.
Application Process:
- Submit a proposal via their online form.
4. Gitcoin – Grants Community
Gitcoin serves as a platform that brings together developers and open-source projects, allowing blockchain and web3 initiatives to gather grants from a shared pool of resources. This setup enables projects in the realm of blockchain technology to secure the funding they need, fostering collaboration between developers and advancing the growth of the blockchain grant ecosystem.
Application Process:
- Generate a grant on the Gitcoin platform and engage in their quarterly matching events.
5. Solana – Ecosystem Grant
Solana’s blockchain grant program is a fantastic initiative that provides valuable support to projects utilizing its high-performance blockchain technology. Through this program, Solana offers not only financial assistance but also technical guidance and resources to help these projects thrive.
Whether you’re a developer looking to build the next big decentralized application or a team with innovative ideas for blockchain solutions, Solana’s blockchain grant program can be a game-changer in turning your vision into reality.
Application Process:
- Fill out the online application form, which should include a project description and a timeline.
6. Optimism
Optimism, a way to help Ethereum handle more transactions without getting too slow, is offering a blockchain grant program. They want to give support to projects that make Ethereum and Optimism work even better together. So, if you’re working on something that can make Ethereum and Optimism more awesome, they might give you a grant to help you out.
Application Process:
- Complete the online application form.
7. Avalanche – Network Grant
Avalanche stands out as one of the most robust supporters of Web3 innovation, with over $250M+ in grants dedicated to funding projects that can push the ecosystem forward. Their grant programs are designed to nurture builders at every stage, from early experimentation to full-scale deployment, with a strong focus on impact, scalability, and long-term value creation for the Avalanche network.
Application Process:
- Apply through the Avalanche Grant Website by selecting the program that best fits your project and submitting a detailed proposal outlining your idea, potential impact, and development milestones.
8. BNB Chain – Network Grant
BNB Chain offers grants to empower developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs building impactful solutions in areas like DevTools, Infrastructure, DeFi, GameFi, AI, DePIN, and DeSoc. The program provides financial support of up to $200K per project, along with marketing exposure, technical guidance, and ecosystem partnership opportunities to strengthen the long-term utility of the BNB Chain network.
Application Process:
- Apply via the BNB Chain Grants Website after reviewing the grant wishlist. Projects go through a two-round review process, including technical assessment, milestone planning, and Q&A calls. Winners are announced every two months, with a project manager assigned to oversee legal documentation, payments, and milestone progress.
9. Stellar – Stellar Grants
The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) offers several grants to grow the Stellar ecosystem, including R&D Grants for innovative products, Infrastructure Grants for essential network utilities, Marketing Grants of up to $100,000 to boost adoption, and Academic Research Grants to advance blockchain research and financial inclusion.
Application Process:
- Apply via the Stellar Grants Website by selecting the right program and submitting a proposal with clear goals, measurable outcomes, and a capable team. SDF reviews applications regularly to fund projects that strengthen the Stellar network.
10. DePIN – Grant Program
The DePIN Grant Program, initiated by the peaq Foundation, provides early-stage funding and support for projects that grow the peaq ecosystem. It focuses on Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePINs), dApps, Machine DeFi applications, Layer-2 solutions, and developer tools, with backing from leading Web3 investors like Cypher Capital, Fundamental Labs, and Hashkey Capital.
Application Process:
- Submit a proposal and complete a due diligence check, followed by a meeting with the Grant Committee. If approved, onboard with the team, define milestones, sign the agreement, and begin building. After reaching the first milestone, announce your project and receive ongoing support from EoT Labs and partners.
11. Reactive Network – Developer Fund
Reactive Network has launched a $3 million Developer Fund to support Web3 builders with milestone-based grants, technical mentorship, team-building tools, and pre-built developer resources. Participants also gain access to ecosystem partners, VC introductions, and marketing support to help scale their projects. This fund is ideal for innovators building DeFi, AI, NFT, or IoT applications using Reactive’s event-driven smart contracts and Inversion of Control (IoC) framework.
Application Process:
- Apply via the Reactive Dev Fund Website by submitting your proposal, defining project milestones, and connecting with the Reactive team for onboarding, mentorship, and funding approval.
Also Read: Top 10 List of Layer 1 in Blockchain
12. Aptos Foundation
Aptos is all about helping out projects that are making its blockchain protocol better. They’re ready to give a helping hand through something called a “blockchain grant” to those projects that are contributing to the growth of their blockchain protocol. It’s like a little financial boost to keep things moving forward and make the blockchain even more awesome.
Application Process:
- To seek an Aptos grant, complete the application form found on their website, supplying comprehensive information about your project and the funding you require.
Grants play a pivotal role in the web3 ecosystem. They not only provide the necessary financial backing for startups but also validate their ideas, giving them a competitive edge. Success stories like Unisocks, ENS, Mango Markets, and Aavegotchi are testaments to the transformative power of these grants. These startups have leveraged grant opportunities to bring innovative solutions to the market, setting benchmarks for others to follow.
Conclusion
The blockchain and web3 sectors are teeming with potential, and the availability of grants is fueling this momentum. These grant providers recognize the transformative power of decentralized technologies and are committed to nurturing the next generation of web3 innovations. For startups navigating the web3 space, understanding the grant landscape and tapping into these opportunities can be the key to unlocking their project’s potential.
Moreover, while grants offer a significant boost, they are just one avenue of funding. Platforms like InnMind offer a plethora of other funding opportunities, from venture capital investors to strategic partnerships. By diversifying funding sources and staying updated with the latest grant offerings, web3 startups can ensure they have the resources and support needed to make a lasting impact in the decentralized world.
Disclaimer: The information provided by HeLa Labs in this article is intended for general informational purposes and does not reflect the company’s opinion. It is not intended as investment advice or recommendations. Readers are strongly advised to conduct their own thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.
Joshua Soriano
I am Joshua Soriano, a passionate writer and devoted layer 1 and crypto enthusiast. Armed with a profound grasp of cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, and layer 1 solutions, I've carved a niche for myself in the crypto community.
