Brink Bitcoin Developer Grants
By Brink
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Quick Answer
Year-long grants from Brink for established Bitcoin protocol developers to work full time on open-source Bitcoin, open to developers anywhere in the world.
About this grant
The Brink grant program gives year-long grants to established Bitcoin protocol developers so they can work full time on open-source Bitcoin projects. Brink is a publicly funded non-profit set up to support Bitcoin development and the developers behind it. The program is open to developers anywhere in the world, so an Indian developer can apply, but it is for people who already have a strong track record, not for beginners or for startups. The listing is open now, and the source gives no deadline and no grant amount.
What the program offers
A Brink grant funds a year of full-time work on open-source Bitcoin. The main focus is the security and stability of the base protocol. Brink also funds research and development that extends Bitcoin's functionality, scalability and usability, including Lightning and other layer-two technology.
The page does not publish grant amounts and does not say how or in which currency grants are paid. It lists the work of current grantees as examples: maintaining Bitcoin Core and its build system, security work, code review and testing, wallet and peer-to-peer networking improvements, fuzz testing, and research into post-quantum cryptography. Because the page does not state a figure, treat any number you hear elsewhere as unconfirmed until Brink tells you directly.
Who can apply
The program is open to developers anywhere in the world. Brink looks for people with a track record of high-quality, security-first contributions to Bitcoin or related projects. It also expects applicants to be committed to transparency and accountability, motivated enough to work without a manager, willing to work collaboratively and constructively with other open-source contributors, and committed to growing the developer ecosystem and the impact of their work.
For an Indian applicant, the practical test is your public record: merged code, reviews, testing or research that others can inspect. This suits experienced protocol and security engineers. It does not suit someone who wants seed money for a commercial product, a company, or an app unrelated to the protocol. Brink runs a separate one-year fellowship in London for engineers new to Bitcoin protocol work; that is a salaried role requiring relocation and is not the same as this grant.
How to apply
Applications go through the application form linked from the Brink programs page. The page does not list required documents or a word limit. A practical tip: prepare links to your public contributions, a clear description of the project you would work on for the year, and the deliverables you are willing to commit to in public, since public commitment is part of the deal.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The source does not describe the selection steps in detail. It refers to a grant committee made up of experienced Bitcoin developers. What it does say is what happens after you are funded. Grantees commit publicly to their project deliverables and give regular public updates on progress. Day to day, grantees work independently with no manager, so self-direction matters. The page gives no review timeline and no results date.
About Brink
Brink was founded in 2020 to support Bitcoin development and open-source Bitcoin developers, with the aim of funding sustainable long-term work on the protocol. It is publicly funded, which is why grantees are open about their deliverables. Alumni of its programs have worked on areas such as adaptor signatures, FROST, the Bitcoin Dev Kit, Core Lightning, Utreexo, fuzzing and Bitcoin Core review, and some moved from the fellowship into the grant program.
Things to check before you apply
- No grant amount, payment currency or payment method is stated, so ask before you plan around it.
- Grantees must publish deliverables and updates. If your work must stay confidential, this is not a fit.
- The grant is for established developers; the London fellowship is the route for people new to Bitcoin protocol work.
- A practical tip: if you will receive money from abroad as an Indian resident, ask an adviser about tax and foreign-remittance treatment first.
- The source states no deadline, so check the programs page for the current position before you start.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
Selected developers receive a year-long grant that lets them work full time on open-source Bitcoin projects, with a focus on the security and stability of the base protocol. Brink does not publish grant amounts.
- Duration
- 12 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The source does not describe the selection steps in detail. It refers to a grant committee of experienced Bitcoin developers. Funded grantees commit publicly to deliverables and give regular public progress updates.
Application Process
- 1
Apply
Submit a grant application with your track record and project plan.
You - 2
- 3
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a Brink Bitcoin developer grant?
Established Bitcoin protocol developers anywhere in the world can apply. You need a track record of high-quality, security-first contributions to Bitcoin or related projects, and the ability to work independently. Brink also expects openness about your progress.
Can Indian developers apply for Brink grants?
Yes. The program is open to developers anywhere in the world, with no country restriction mentioned. It is aimed at experienced protocol developers, so your public record counts most.
How much is a Brink grant?
The source does not publish a grant amount. It says only that grants last a year and fund full-time work. Ask Brink for specifics after you apply.
How are Brink grants paid?
The source does not say how or in which currency grants are paid. Ask Brink directly, and check the tax treatment for India with an adviser.
What is the deadline for Brink grants, and what if it has passed?
The page gives no deadline and no application rounds, and the listing is open now. Check the programs page for the current position before applying.
Is a Brink grant a grant or equity?
It is a grant for a developer's work. The source mentions no equity or ownership being taken.
What do I need to prepare to apply to Brink?
The page points to an application form but lists no documents. A practical tip: have links to your public work and a clear project plan with deliverables you are ready to publish.
What is expected of Brink grantees?
Grantees publicly commit to their deliverables, post regular public updates, work independently and collaborate constructively with other open-source contributors.
Do I have to relocate or travel?
The grant page mentions no relocation requirement and describes independent work from anywhere. The separate fellowship, by contrast, is based in London.
Is the Brink grant the same as the Brink fellowship, and is it free to apply?
No. The fellowship is a one-year salaried program in London for engineers newer to Bitcoin protocol work. The source does not mention a fee for the grant application.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
