Stacks Endowment Grants
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Quick Answer
Quarterly grants paid in STX, from US$5,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh) to US$50,000 (about ₹47.5 lakh), for teams building Bitcoin apps on Stacks. The Q3 2026 cycle is closed.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- Stacks Endowment
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 23 September 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Stacks Endowment. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
The Q3 2026 application cycle of the Stacks Endowment Grants is closed: it ran from 31 August to 23 September 2026. Grants open in quarterly application periods, and the Endowment announces each new cycle on its blog, so there is no fixed date yet for the next one. This page helps you prepare for it.
The Stacks Endowment runs the Stacks Ecosystem Grants Program, which funds builders, developers and operators expanding Bitcoin's onchain economy through the Stacks network. Grants run from US$5,000 to US$50,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh) and are paid in STX, the network's token.
What the program offers
There are three tracks. Builder Grants (US$10,000 to US$50,000, about ₹9.5 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh) reward teams with proven traction, based on measurable results such as growth in value locked, transaction volume, key integrations and infrastructure work. Getting Started Grants (US$5,000 to US$10,000, about ₹4.75 lakh to ₹9.5 lakh, averaging about US$5,000) are for pre-product-market-fit founders with a prototype, technical spec, early user research or community traction. They are paid in two parts, halfway and on completion, with monthly check-ins with a program manager. Community DeGrants (up to US$5,000) are for creators, educators and community projects, run by the community in separate cohorts and applied for through its own site. The Endowment also runs office hours for applicants.
Who can apply
Projects must show a clear path to integrate sBTC, support the Nakamoto-upgraded network, or use the Stacks blockchain. The page does not set a country rule, so builders in India can apply, but all recipients must pass identity checks. The Endowment looks for ambitious builders with a track record or early proof of concept, clear milestones and honest budgets, projects built for Stacks and Bitcoin, and work that helps the wider ecosystem.
This suits developers and small teams who can already demo something on Stacks. It does not suit idea-only applications with zero proof of concept, straight forks of existing projects without meaningful innovation, or teams previously sanctioned or in violation of the terms.
How to apply
- Pick the track that fits your stage.
- Check the cycle's themes and the public Grants Tracker so you do not duplicate a funded project. The Q3 2026 themes were Bitcoin Staking and sBTC utility, distribution and integrations, and market efficiency and risk.
- Create an account on the application portal and submit the form during an open cycle.
- Describe what you are building, why it matters, how you will use the funds, how success is measured, and proof of work such as past projects, GitHub or onchain dashboards.
A practical tip: for a Getting Started Grant, set two to four milestones you can reach in 8 to 12 weeks, with a budget that shows how the money moves the project forward.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Reviewers who contribute to the Stacks ecosystem score each application from 0 to 5 on strategic alignment, ecosystem impact, feasibility, budget reasonableness, risk profile and ecosystem commitment, plus track-specific criteria. The scores guide the decision but are not mechanical; the Endowment also considers wider ecosystem needs, budget and portfolio balance. Approved teams sign a grant agreement with milestones and reporting, then receive STX by milestone. If you are declined, the Endowment says it explains why and gives feedback, and most declined applications can be revised and resubmitted.
About the Stacks Endowment
The Stacks Endowment is the official administrator of the Stacks grants program, which is funded through a Stacks improvement proposal. Its stated mission is to unlock large amounts of capital and build a global economy on Bitcoin. It operates under Cayman Islands law, publishes a public Grants Tracker of decisions and allocations, and keeps a list of project ideas it would like to see built.
Things to check before you apply
- Grants are paid in STX, not rupees or dollars, so the rupee value can change between approval and payment.
- Every recipient goes through KYC/KYB: a government ID and liveness photo check for individuals, and company documents and beneficial-owner checks for organisations. Payout wallets are screened with Chainalysis.
- Indian recipients of crypto should check tax and foreign-exchange treatment with an adviser before applying.
- The grant is not equity, and the page mentions no ownership stake.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
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
Builder Grants pay US$10,000 to US$50,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh to ₹47.5 lakh) in STX, scoped individually and paid by milestone. Getting Started Grants pay US$5,000 to US$10,000 (about ₹4.75 lakh to ₹9.5 lakh) in STX in two tranches, at the halfway point and on completion, with monthly check-ins. Community DeGrants pay up to US$5,000 in STX. Funded teams get regular check-ins with a program manager and connections to experienced Stacks builders.
- Disbursement
- Milestone Based
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Reviewers who contribute to the Stacks ecosystem score each application from 0 to 5 on strategic alignment, ecosystem impact, feasibility, budget reasonableness, risk profile and ecosystem commitment, plus track-specific criteria. Scores guide the decision alongside wider ecosystem needs, budget and portfolio balance, and approved teams sign a grant agreement with milestones and reporting.
Application Process
- 1
Application
Choose a track and submit the portal form during an open quarterly cycle.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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
Is the Stacks Endowment grant still open?
The Q3 2026 cycle ran from 31 August to 23 September 2026 and is now closed. Grants open in quarterly cycles, and the next one is announced on the Stacks Endowment blog.
Can Indian developers and startups apply for Stacks grants?
The pages saved for this listing set no country restriction, so Indian builders can apply, subject to KYC/KYB. Your project must use or support Stacks, sBTC or the Nakamoto upgrade.
How much can I get from the Stacks Endowment?
Getting Started Grants are US$5,000 to US$10,000 in STX, Builder Grants US$10,000 to US$50,000 in STX, and Community DeGrants up to US$5,000 in STX.
Is the grant paid in crypto?
Yes. Grants are paid in STX, the Stacks token, to a wallet that is screened with Chainalysis. The token price can move, so the rupee value can change.
Is it a grant or equity?
It is a grant paid by milestone. The pages saved for this listing mention no equity or ownership stake.
What KYC is needed?
Individuals need a government ID and a liveness photo check. Organisations also provide legal entity documents, proof of beneficial owners and KYC for all beneficial owners and key officers.
What should I prepare for an application?
Describe what you are building, why it matters, how you will use the funds and how you will measure success. Add proof of work, such as past projects, GitHub or onchain dashboards, and a milestone plan with an honest budget.
Do I need a working product?
Not for Getting Started Grants, but you need early proof of concept such as a prototype, technical spec or user validation. Idea-only applications with no proof of concept are not funded.
What if my application is declined?
The Endowment says it explains why and gives feedback. Most declined applications can be revised and resubmitted.
Do I have to travel or attend events?
The pages mention no travel. They mention office hours for applicants, announced on X and the Stacks events calendar.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
