Solana Grants

Solana Grants support builders, creators, and founders developing projects in the Solana ecosystem through multiple funding pathways. With $200 to $100K+ in milestone-based funding available, the Solana Foundation funds public goods, open-source contributions, and projects that advance decentralization, adoption, and security of the network.

For ZHC builders, Solana offers compelling advantages - ultra-fast transaction speeds (400ms block times), extremely low costs ($0.00025 per transaction), and high throughput ideal for AI agents, automation, and real-time applications. The ecosystem provides robust support through Foundation grants, convertible grants for commercial projects, Superteam microgrants for emerging markets, and ecosystem-specific programs. With over 500 projects funded and $100M+ deployed across 6 continents, Solana has proven track record of supporting innovative builders.

Solana Foundation Funding Programs

Standard Grants (Public Goods)

• Open-source projects generating public goods
• Significant contribution to Solana ecosystem
• Milestone-based funding structure
• Global eligibility (individuals, teams, companies, nonprofits, academics)
• Must pass due diligence and KYC/KYB

Convertible Grants (Hybrid)

• Public goods with commercial component
• Converts to investment upon milestones (fundraise, growth targets)
• Suitable for proof-of-concept before VC funding
• Infrastructure companies with closed-source models
• Returns recycled back into grants program

Superteam Microgrants

• $200 to $10,000 equity-free grants
• Focus on emerging markets (India, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa)
• <15 minute application, 48-hour decision
• Early-stage builders
• Email: grants@superteam.fun

Ecosystem Programs

• MonkeDAO: Projects for everyday users + marketing support
• Island DAO DecentraGrants: DAO builders, governance tools
• Colosseum Hackathons: Online competitions with accelerator access

Priority Focus Areas (2025-2026)

High Priority:

• DeFi protocols and infrastructure
• DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure)
• Gaming and metaverse applications
• NFT infrastructure and marketplaces
• Payments and Solana Pay integrations
• AI and on-chain automation
• Developer tooling and SDKs
• Education and community resources

Public Good Categories:

• Censorship resistance
• DAO tooling
• Developer infrastructure
• Financial inclusion
• Climate change solutions
• Academic research

Evaluation Criteria

Public Good Test:

• Significant open-source contribution to ecosystem
• Meaningful free community offering
• Novel proof of concept
• Benefits community at large

Only Possible on Solana:

• Clear reason for building on Solana vs other chains
• Leverages Solana's unique capabilities
• Demonstrates protocol-specific advantages

Clear Use of Funds:

• Thoughtful budget with measurable milestones
• Funding correlated to community impact
• Transparent allocation plan

ZHC-Specific Fit

✅ Excellent for:

• High-frequency automation and trading systems
• On-chain AI agents requiring fast execution
• Real-time applications (gaming, social, streaming)
• DeFi protocols with complex logic
• Payment systems and financial infrastructure
• Consumer applications needing low fees
• Developer tools and infrastructure
• Projects targeting emerging markets

❌ Poor fit if:

• Not building on Solana specifically
• Purely commercial without public good aspect
• Simple token launches without utility
• No clear implementation plan
• Unrelated to Solana ecosystem
• Projects encouraging gambling or criminal activity

Solana Foundation Application Process

Step	Timeline	Details
Prepare application	1 week	Project overview, milestones, budget
Submit via portal	—	solana.org/grants application form
Initial review	~1 week	Rolling basis evaluation
SME call (if needed)	1-2 weeks	Subject-matter expert consultation
Due diligence	2-3 weeks	Technical review, market research
Decision	~3 weeks total	Email notification of outcome
Legal finalization	1-2 weeks	Grant agreement with Legal Team
Milestone payments	Project-based	Funding released upon milestone completion

Superteam Microgrants Process

Step	Timeline	Details
Create profile	15 minutes	earn.superteam.fun talent profile
Submit proposal	15 minutes	Brief overview + milestones + budget
Review decision	48 hours	Rapid turnaround for early-stage projects
Funding release	Post-approval	Quick disbursement

Application Requirements

Foundation Grants Must Include:

1. Project Overview

   • Brief description of project
   • Problem being solved
   • Target users/audience

2. Public Good Justification

   • How project benefits Solana network
   • Open-source components
   • Community value proposition

3. Why Solana

   • Specific reasons for choosing Solana
   • How Solana's features enable your project
   • Why not possible elsewhere

4. Milestone Structure

   • Clear, measurable milestones
   • Specific deliverables per milestone
   • Timeline for completion

5. Budget Proposal

   • Detailed breakdown of costs
   • Funding amount per milestone
   • Justification for requested amount

6. Team Background

   • Relevant experience
   • Previous projects (links/demos)
   • Technical capabilities

7. Long-term Sustainability

   • Plan beyond grant period
   • Maintenance strategy
   • Potential revenue model (if applicable)

Active RFPs (Requests for Proposals)

Check the official RFP database for specific project ideas the Foundation is actively looking to fund:

• Technical infrastructure needs
• Ecosystem gaps to fill
• Strategic priorities

Browse at: solana.org/grants

Grant Sizes & Funding Tiers

Type	Range	Best For
Superteam Micro	$200-$10K	Early prototypes, emerging markets
Small Grants	$5K-$25K	Initial development, MVPs
Medium Grants	$25K-$100K	Product development, research
Large Grants	$100K+	Major infrastructure, ecosystem initiatives
Convertible	Variable	Commercial projects with public goods component
Strategic	Custom	High-impact ecosystem priorities

Success Factors

• Open-source commitment and community benefit
• Thoughtful milestones with clear deliverables
• Strong technical team with relevant experience
• Realistic budget aligned with project scope
• Clear differentiation and innovation
• Demonstrates understanding of Solana ecosystem
• Path to sustainability beyond grant funding

What Doesn't Get Funded

• Purely commercial projects without public good
• Projects unrelated to Solana ecosystem
• Token launches focused on speculation
• Closed-source with no community benefit
• Projects without clear implementation plans
• Initiatives promoting gambling or illicit activities

Official Foundation Resources

• Solana Foundation Grants
• Grant Application Form
• RFP Database (Browse active requests)
• Foundation Email: grants@solana.org

Ecosystem Grant Programs

• Superteam Microgrants

  • Email: grants@superteam.fun
  • Fast microgrants for emerging markets

• MonkeDAO BuildWith

  • User-focused projects + marketing

• Island DAO DecentraGrants

  • DAO tooling and governance

• Colosseum

  • Hackathons and accelerator programs

Developer Resources

• Solana Documentation
• Solana Cookbook
• Solana Program Library
• Developer Discord
• StackExchange

Community & Support

• Solana Discord (Main community)
• Telegram
• Twitter/X
• Forum
• YouTube

Learning Resources

• Solana Bootcamp
• Buildspace Courses
• Solana University
• Developer Guides

Funding Statistics

• 500+ projects funded
• $100M+ in total funding deployed
• 6 continents with funded projects
• Multiple funding pathways available
• Rolling applications year-round