GET FUNDED
Learn how grants support full-time bitcoin development
Why consider a career in bitcoin open source software (BOSS)?
If you aspire to have professional freedom, work on something that will impact the lives of countless people across the world, write code that will span generations, and collaborate with some of the most gifted developers on the planet to solve some of the hardest technical problems of our age, then you are in the right place.
Earning a grant for full-time bitcoin open source work
Financial support for bitcoin open source work typically comes in the form of a grant. Grants usually last for one year and many are renewed.
Bitcoin funding is different from other open source and other cryptocurrency projects. Getting a grant in bitcoin is pretty straightforward. You either need someone to vouch for you or you need to do work - ideally both.
While grant programs often have open applications, the secret to getting funding isn't much of a secret. Start doing the job for free. It establishes you as a contributor and proves your motivation to do the work. It shows that you are a good investment.
Adam Jonas, Bitcoin Dev Project Founder
Paths and stories
Meet contributors who turned their BOSS contributions into full-time work
I kept showing up consistently for multiple months..., I tried focusing on being helpful rather than on being visible.
Focusbitcoinkernel, code review, core infrastructure
Funding OrgBrink
Funding StorySelf-taught Python programmer that used books, seminars, and code review sessions to learn C++ and Bitcoin Core
You have to develop your own judgment about what's technically sound, what's worth pursuing, and what's ready to share.
FocusNested MuSig2 in the secp256k1-zkp library
Funding OrgSecond, Vora
Funding StoryTransitioned from backend dev to funded cryptography researcher
Three months after I graduated from the Chaincode BOSS 2025 program, I was able to show enough proof-of-work to get a Btrust Starter grant.
FocusLDK, Human Readable Addresses, Splice Batching
Funding OrgBtrust
Funding StoryFunded within ~3 months after entering BOSS
Checklist
A strong funding application starts well before you apply. Before submitting anything, take the time to get these pieces in place. These items will help you build a strong foundation and make the entire process smoother.
Prepare for Funding
Note: Just because you finish this checklist doesn't mean you're necessarily ready – it may take multiple applications and projects to land a grant. Don't give up!
Grant organizations
Various exchanges and individuals have sponsored devs in the past, but the organizations below have become the main distributors of grants over the last couple of years.
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding bitcoin development since 2020
- Primarily supports work on the base protocol
- Also funds research on scalability, usability, and Layer 2 (i.e. Lightning)
- Physical office in London
- Grants available for either remote or onsite work
- Bitcoin R&D initiative by Block
- Full time grants paid in BTC
- Open to individuals and teams
- Projects must be free and open source
- Projects cannot have a business or profit motive
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding since 2021
- Strong emphasis on free and open-source software (FOSS)
- Supports projects that improve bitcoin's security, accessibility, and decentralization
- Grants have flexible funding amounts and duration
- Transparent, multi-step grant selection process
- $34.9M+ awarded across 401+ grants in 40+ countries (as of 6/2026)
- Established in 2021 with a generous founding donation from Jack Dorsey and Jay-Z
- Focused on Africa and regions of the global south where bitcoin development is less common
- Starter Grants: 6-months of funding for new contributors
- Btrust Open-Source Cohort: Long-term grants with mentorship & peer support
- Long term grants have a team like structure that includes training, management, and project relations
- Nonpartisan, nonprofit promoting and protecting human rights globally
- Mission driven. Focused on making bitcoin a powerful tool for human rights defenders operating in challenging political environments
- Funds developers, activists, educators, UI/UX designers, and community builders
- Looking for projects with real world impact that empower everyday citizens to use uncensorable money in their struggle for democracy
- Funding bitcoin projects since 2020. $8.5M+ awarded across 280+ grants (as of 6/2026)
- 12-month grants with monthly payments in bitcoin
- $50K–$150K per developer
- Grant stacking permitted (up to $400K/year cap)
- Includes interview process before approval
- Wholly funded by Maelstrom, the family office of Arthur Hayes
- Nonprofit research and development center focused on growing bitcoin dev talent in Brazil
- Invests in people at all stages, not just those already proven
- In-person workshops, meetups, and retreats
- 1-year grants for established Brazilian developers
- Supports contributors working on the BDK suite of libraries and supporting projects
- Offers both part-time and full-time grants
- Project based grants that do not necessarily need to be coding. They could be research, testing, docs, etc.
Tip
All grant orgs require you to do some kind of reporting. They are usually monthly or quarterly. Get into the habit of keeping a journal of what you work on so it is easier when it comes time to put together the report. That way you won't forget anything that you did, and you won't be scrambling to find links to your code contributions.
Employment
A growing number of organizations employ developers to work full-time on bitcoin open-source software. Beyond salary and employment benefits, these places provide office space and unique opportunities for in-person engagement.
These roles offer something that is difficult to replicate remotely. Working right next to other bitcoin devs can open the door to all kinds of collaboration like impromptu brainstorming and whiteboarding sessions and conversations that facilitate quick feedback loops.
- Chaincode Labs| New York City
- Brink| London
- 2140| Amsterdam
- Localhost Research| San Francisco Bay Area
Crowdfunding
If you do not yet have funding or want community-backed support, you can launch your own project through these bitcoin-focused crowdfunding platforms.
One form, multiple opportunities
Ready to apply? Get your work in front of multiple bitcoin grant organizations with a single application. Fill out the form once, select which funding providers to send it to, and submit. Each organization receives a copy of your application and will reach out if interested. Apply today and get one step closer towards becoming a funded bitcoin contributor.
Common Application
Submit Application