As we embark on a brand new decade(!), the Ecosystem Assist Program staff wished to talk to among the latest progress, transition and studying across the program, and share particulars of our 2019 monetary allocations.
What’s ESP?
The Ecosystem Assist Program (ESP) is the arm of the Ethereum Basis centered on offering help to groups all through the Ethereum ecosystem. This contains monetary and non-financial help. ESP is an growth of the Grants program, which beforehand centered totally on financial help.
Enhancing Our Processes
The 2019 Ethereum Foundation Spring Update first previewed a few of our plans for evolving from Grants to ESP. Since that transition, we’ve continued to award easy grants, and helped make connections to different potential sources of funding the place an EF grant was not a match. We have now additionally facilitated recommendation from business specialists, group publicity, entry to cloud providers and different infrastructure, and extra.
Over the past 9 months we’ve integrated suggestions to refine our utility course of and made quite a lot of adjustments, together with:
- A standardized course of for reviewing ESP purposes
- An expanded group of area specialists accessible to assist with peer evaluate of purposes, or to advise candidates on their initiatives
- Elevated give attention to offering candidates with 1:1 suggestions
- Labored extra carefully with accepted initiatives to create clearer objectives, roadmaps, and mutual expectations
Increasing Communications
With these stronger processes in place, we’re making an effort to extend visibility and to draw extra high-quality purposes. To that finish, we’re making some adjustments to how we talk, from enhancing current channels to including some shiny new pages to the ESP website.
Some adjustments are modest, however we hope that they’ll be useful in each preserving the group knowledgeable and higher making ready potential candidates. On the entrance web page now you can observe the most recent information about ESP and see which occasions we’ll be collaborating in, whether or not nearly or in individual following the present and ongoing well being disaster.
We’ve added to our FAQ, improved our inquiry types, and most significantly debuted some new web page banners that we expect actually tie the room collectively 😎. Preserve a watch out for much more additions within the coming months, and common updates to current content material!
We’ve additionally added a Wishlist to deliver consideration to particular areas like safety, Eth2, and privateness, the place we’d wish to see extra purposes. This checklist is not a declaration of what is essential to the ecosystem, or perhaps a assertion of ESP’s priorities. Nevertheless, we hope the checklist serves as inspiration for anybody trying to become involved! As at all times, we need to strike a stability between demonstrating the vary of efforts that ESP helps whereas additionally embracing potential contributors working exterior of the precise areas we have outlined.
On the reporting entrance, we might be publishing common weblog posts to announce new grant recipients, however a grant is simply the start. Shifting ahead, we’ll even be highlighting what supported groups go on to perform. On the brand new Featured Projects web page, we’ll highlight initiatives which can be months or years into the work that was enabled by these grants. We’ll additionally use our weblog and develop our use of social media to rejoice grant recipients as they obtain milestones and make progress towards their objectives.
Monetary Assist in 2019
Whereas we labored to enhance the Ecosystem Assist Program all through 2019, we continued to help initiatives throughout the ecosystem. Awarding grants is just one means that we offer that help. There are numerous wonderful groups that aren’t EF grant recipients, both as a result of they’re already funded or as a result of their explicit focus is simply not the precise match for EF funding. Nevertheless, we work to help these important contributors in no matter means we are able to (for instance, as a bridge to new alternatives or as an amplifier of community results for his or her initiatives).
That stated, monetary help continues to be a significant a part of how we help the broader Ethereum ecosystem. Over 70 initiatives obtained monetary help in 2019. What’s listed beneath particulars newly distributed grants to groups in 2019. It doesn’t embrace recurring help, tranches for newly achieved milestones from prior recipients, or funding for different EF groups. For extra particulars on all the Basis’s work, we’ll share a 2020 Spring Replace within the coming days.
We’re together with names and summaries for every funded undertaking beneath. You’ll find a searchable spreadsheet together with hyperlinks to study extra about particular person initiatives right here.
Ethereum 2.0
Ethereum 2.0 improvement is in full swing, with many groups working collectively to make Ethereum extra scalable, resilient, safe, and naturally introduce Proof of Stake! We’ve helped to fund a various bunch of two.0 shoppers, in addition to efforts towards interoperability, enhancing reliability and creating developer tooling. Along with the grants listed beneath, Ethereum 2.0 work has been supported by recurring funding and different channels.
Eth2 Shoppers: $1,695,000
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Concord Consumer | Assist for the Concord staff to develop a beacon chain shopper in Java. | https://github.com/harmony-dev/beacon-chain-java |
| Lighthouse | Assist for Sigma Prime’s continued improvement of the Lighthouse staking shopper, written in Rust, for the Ethereum 2.0 community. | https://lighthouse.sigmaprime.io/ |
| Nimbus | Assist for Standing’s continued improvement of the Nimbus shopper for Ethereum 2.0, designed to carry out nicely on embedded techniques and private cellular units, together with older smartphones with resource-restricted {hardware}. | https://nimbus.team/ |
| Prysm Consumer | Assist for Prysmatic Labs’s continued improvement of the Prysm staking shopper for the Ethereum 2.0 community written in Go. | https://prylabs.net/ |
Eth2 Tooling & Different: $1,459,000
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorial analysis on CBC Casper | Analysis by Ryuya Nakamura of College of Tokyo and Dominik Harz of Imperial School London to ascertain the theoretical basis of CBC Casper together with the evaluation of safety, efficiency, and incentives. | https://ethresear.ch/u/nrryuya/activity/topics https://eprint.iacr.org/2019/415.pdf https://github.com/LayerXcom/cbc-casper-proof |
| Beacon Fuzz | Differential fuzzer for Part 0 of Eth2. | https://github.com/sigp/beacon-fuzz/ |
| Cryptonext | Survey and report on doable approaches to aggregatable post-quantum signatures in Eth2. | https://cryptonext-security.com/ |
| Dmitry Khovratovich | Cryptoanalysis of the Lengendre PRF and Proof of Custody building. | https://eprint.iacr.org/2019/862.pdf |
| Herumi | Carry the Herumi BLS library in step with the IEFT spec. | https://github.com/herumi/mcl |
| Lodestar | Work by Chainsafe on Eth2 light-client R&D inside their Lodestar javascript shopper; in addition to persevering with to supply help to the Eth2 JS/web-browser ecosystem by creating libraries, tooling, and academic assets. | http://github.com/ChainSafe/Lodestar |
| Nimbus | Grant to Standing, co-funded with Protocol Labs, to construct nim-libp2p, a networking stack in Nim. | https://github.com/status-im/nim-libp2p |
| Runtime Verification | Formal verification of the Eth2 Deposit Contract; constructing the Part 0 Beacon Chain spec in Okay Framework for the needs of formal verification; and formally verifying Accountable Security and Believable Liveness in opposition to the Okay Beacon Chain. | |
| VDF analysis—hybrid prover | Analysis on the soundness and efficiency of a hybrid Wesolowski-Pietrzak VDF prover. | |
| VDF: Quantity Concept Assertion | Show a quantity theoretic assertion which means an data theoretic decrease sure for modular squaring. | |
| Whiteblock | Ethereum 2.0 community testing and testnet/interoperability help: evaluation of the libp2p gossipsub implementation, working with implementors to assist refine the networking stack and specification, and advancing interoperability efforts. | https://whiteblock.io/ |
Eth 1.x: $487,000
Very important work continues on enhancing Ethereum because it exists right now, with upgrades being labored on by 1.x contributors to assist enhance Ethereum within the rapid time period. Targeted upon areas embrace Stateless Ethereum, enhancing developer expertise, rising node shopper variety, guaranteeing that working a full node stays sustainable, and making ready a path to the two.0 rollout. As with Eth2, these are simply the allocations that took the type of grants. We’ll share extra about different supported efforts – together with Geth, further 1.x and Stateless analysis, and extra in later organizational updates.
Layer 2: $1,211,000
Layer 2 options allow all kinds of purposes which may in any other case be too costly, gradual, sophisticated, or simply not doable to implement straight on the Ethereum base layer. 2019 was an thrilling 12 months throughout which groups and people throughout the group got here collectively to make large strides towards making Ethereum extra helpful and scalable. This work is essential within the close to time period, however simply as priceless for the long run. Eth 2.0 will nonetheless profit from the improved privateness, scalability, and adaptability supplied by Layer 2.
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Connext | Aligning Connext cost hubs with generalized State Channel unification undertaking. | https://github.com/ConnextProject/indra, https://connext.network |
| Cryptoeconomics Labs | Plasma Chamber, an OVM-inspired, common function layer 2 utility framework | https://www.cryptoeconomicslab.com/ |
| LeapDAO | Plasma Leap: a Extra Viable Plasma design which allows execution of sensible contract performance on plasma utilizing EVM enforcer, a computation verification engine that enables for enforcement of off-chain execution. | https://leapdao.org/ |
| Matter Labs | Productionizing Plasma Ignis, a SNARK-driven zk-rollup implementation. | https://matter-labs.io/ |
| PISA Analysis | Basic accountable watchtower system for state channels and decentralized finance protocols, which allows events to rent an accountable service to observe the off-chain protocols and on-chain contracts on their behalf. | https://www.pisa.watch/ |
| Plasma Group | Analysis into generalized plasma, Optimistic Rollup, and OVM (Optimistic Digital Machine). | https://plasma.group/ |
| Twitch Performs Pokemon on Plasma | Take a look at suite for educational establishments and researchers to check financial and coordination theories of decentralized governance fashions. | flexdapps.com |
| Unified State Channels | A joint grant to Prototypal, Magmo and L4 analysis aimed on the unification of State Channels efforts. Along with merging efforts already in progress, contributors labored collectively to rewrite, optimize and do formal modeling of the underlying protocol; design a demo app; and design a resilient shopper that gives fund restoration ensures to customers. | statechannels.org |
Cryptography and Zero Data Proofs: $426,000
There’s extra work than ever going into analysis and improvement on cryptography and 0 data proofs. These efforts strengthen the basic constructing blocks of the protocol, opening up new prospects for scaling, privateness, and safety. 2019 was all about sensible steps ahead, with instruments being constructed that make developments extra accessible to builders with out requiring a sophisticated understanding cryptography.
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| AirAssembly | Language for encoding Algebraic Intermediate Illustration (AIR), making STARK programming extra accessible by enabling succinct proofs of computational integrity in zk-STARKS. | https://ethresear.ch/t/airassembly-a-low-level-language-for-zk-starks/6419/4 |
| Aztec | Cryptographic building which permits nested composition of a batch of Aztec vary proofs inside a zk-SNARK circuit, to allow future improvement of privateness preserving rollups. | https://www.aztecprotocol.com/ |
| Circom | A strong and scalable language for complicated arithmetic circuit design. | https://github.com/iden3/circom |
| FPGA Snark Prover | Enhancing effectivity of zk-SNARK proof creation by offloading operations to an FPGA (area programmable information array). | |
| Kestrel Institute | ACL2 Ethereum shopper and AXE equivalence checker to formally confirm cryptographic primitives (together with MiMC, PiMC, Edison hash, BLAKE2) relevant to varied makes use of of zk-SNARKS. | https://www.kestrel.edu/home/projects/fv-of-r1cs/index.html |
| Legendre PRF Bounty | The Legendre PRF (pseudo-random perform) is required to allow secret-shared validators utilizing multi-party computations. These bounties encourage extra analysis on key restoration assaults, to extend confidence in utilizing this cryptographic primitive. | https://eprint.iacr.org/2019/862.pdf, https://legendreprf.org/bounties |
| MACI | Minimal Anti-Collusion Infrastructure: a collusion resistance scheme that drastically will increase the chance concerned in shopping for or promoting votes. | https://github.com/barryWhiteHat/maci |
| Platon | Validation and implementation of the “Proof of Custody” scheme, which permits secret shared validators by way of multi-party computation, enabling trustless staking swimming pools in addition to redundancy to lower the chance of getting slashed as a result of compromised {hardware} or software program. | https://github.com/PlatONnetwork/proof_of_custody |
| Statebox | Analysis into utilizing class idea to show diagrams, securely and compositionally, into zk-SNARK circuits. | www.statebox.org |
Developer Expertise: $1,322,000
Ethereum opened up a complete new design area for purposes. As builders have explored this area, inevitably they’ve found new ache factors and required new instruments. We’re making important investments in enhancing developer expertise on Ethereum, from enhancing the vary of programming languages, software program libraries, dev tooling, node infrastructure, decentralized storage, messaging, and extra. These developments allow builders to do extra, extra simply, to allow them to give attention to their merchandise relatively than on constructing their very own customized tooling. In the end we would like it to be simple – and enjoyable – to construct on Ethereum.
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Buidler | Extending capabilities for Buidler, a job runner for Ethereum sensible contract builders. | https://buidler.dev/ |
| DeepSEA | Analysis at Yale and Columbia on DeepSEA, a language producing coq proofs to compile formally verified code to the EVM guaranteeing no bugs are launched. | https://certik.org/deepsea_blockchain.html |
| Ethereum on ARM | Customized Linux pictures to robotically flip useful resource constrained units into full Ethereum nodes. | https://github.com/diglos/pi-gen (for ARM32 repository, Raspberry Pi 4 picture), https://github.com/diglos/userpatches (for ARM64 repository, NanoPC-T4 and RockPro64 picture) |
| Moon | EVM and WASM runtimes for formality language in addition to associated libraries, documentation and tutorials. | https://github.com/moonad/, https://sunshinecybernetics.com/, https://github.com/moonad/Formality/blob/master/DOCUMENTATION.md |
| NomicLabs | Developer expertise analysis, prioritization, and roadmapping. | https://nomiclabs.io/ |
| Play | Decentralized database for verified Solidity code. | https://playproject.io/play-ed/ |
| py-libp2p | Capstone undertaking by 4 College of Pennsylvania seniors to develop a python implementation of libp2p, utilized by IPFS and Eth2, and accompanying easy-to-use toolsets | https://github.com/libp2p/py-libp2p |
| Shadowlands | Framework for constructing terminal-based Ethereum apps with a textual content UI, as an alternative choice to apps with web-based UI. | https://github.com/kayagoban/shadowlands |
| Solhint | Continued improvement and added plugins for Solhint, a software for linting solidity code to establish unhealthy coding practices. | github: https://github.com/protofire/solhint/, Firm profile: https://protofire.io |
| Solidity Protection | Enhancements to the solidity-coverage software, which offers a means for Solidity builders to measure the accuracy of their javascript check suites, obtain protection reporting and extra. | https://github.com/sc-forks/solidity-coverage |
| SOLL | Second State’s LLVM based mostly compiler, a yul various to assist transition Solidity to eWASM. | https://github.com/second-state/SOLL, https://www.secondstate.io/ |
| Swarm | Analysis and improvement on Swarm, a decentralized storage resolution. | https://swarm.ethereum.org/ |
| Tenderly | Enhancements to Buidler’s console.log performance. | https://tenderly.dev/ |
| Web3J | Growth and upkeep of the Web3j library with the intention to present an improved expertise for Java, Android and Kotlin builders. | https://blog.web3labs.com/web3j-ethereum-foundation-grant-update, https://www.web3labs.com/web3j, https://github.com/web3j/web3j |
Consumer Expertise: $213,000
We’re at all times looking out for common instruments and upgrades that scale back friction for the tip consumer with out compromising decentralization or any of the opposite issues that make Ethereum particular. Addressing widespread ache factors like fuel prices, identification administration, handle readability, and interoperability makes it simpler for dapp builders in all places to onboard customers.
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Eauth | Oauth2 appropriate authentication service framework based mostly on Ethereum. | https://github.com/pelith/node-eauth-server |
| ENS Basis | Continuation funding for Ethereum Title Service, decentralized Web naming infrastructure on Ethereum. | https://ens.domains/ |
| Ethereum Pockets SDK | Abstraction layer which permits dapp builders to simply combine with a number of wallets. | https://dappsdk.io/ |
| Everest | Identification and credential system which permits identification claims resembling KYC standing to be securely revealed, shared, and verified on Ethereum Mainnet. | https://everest.org |
| Gasoline Station Community | Meta transactions normal and decentralized community of relay nodes to deal with fuel charges on behalf of customers. | https://gasstation.network/ |
| POAP | Subsidization of Proof of Attendance Protocol fuel prices at Devcon. | http://www.poap.xyz |
Neighborhood and Schooling: $422,000
Merely put, Ethereum wouldn’t exist with out its group and the those that work to develop and enrich our ecosystem. These groups deliver individuals collectively each in individual and on-line, enhance the range of our international group, and assist to construct a common data base by making academic supplies free and accessible to all.
Oblique Funding $484,000
A brand new sort of ecosystem wants new methods of fascinated about funding! The Ethereum ecosystem depends on open supply builders and unbiased thinkers to thrive. To this finish, we glance to help novel methods of funding gifted contributors exterior the normal constructions of corporations and organizations; grants and VCs; contracts and salaries. This class is all about entrusting assets to the group.
| Grant | Description | Extra Data |
|---|---|---|
| Gitcoin | Funding for operations, bounties and CLR matching. | https://gitcoin.co/ |
| MolochDAO | Funding for the launch of MolochDAO in an effort to diversify improvement funding. | https://molochdao.com/ |
| UNICEF | ETH and BTC donations to UNICEF’s Crypto-denomintated Fund to help blockchain improvements within the creating world and encourage using cryptocurrencies (with out changing them into fiat). | https://www.unicef.org/ |
We’re pleased with every part our 2019 cohort achieved, and we’re forging forward in 2020 with renewed power and function. As at all times, huge due to the group on your ardour and help, and we sit up for preserving you updated with the most recent from the ESP staff! 🦄
