[Opportunity] Grants, Scholarships for bitcoiners

[Alvin_talk]

I don't know the exact individuals this might help but I felt the need to post it here. While on my free time I decided to make a little research and discovered there are organisations who fund and encourage individuals interested in Bitcoin technology, as well as developers who wish to contribute to open source project related to bitcoin. I felt the need to post this, because who knows who this information might help.

I. Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF)
Website
This grant initiative program is proudly sponsored by Human Rights Foundation, a non profit organisation. The program aims to support developers against authoritarian government by providing grants for open source bitcoin projects, censorship-resistant communications, merchant and mobile money payment integrations, and research and education related to bitcoin and privacy. The total grant packages is currently more than 500 million Satoshi’s (5 BTC) and the allocation per project depends on the scope and impact of the potential project. The application to this program is all year round.

How it works:

*Submit your proposal
*Review process
*Grantee announcement
*Continues provision of support

II. Btrust Grants
Website
This grant programme also offers opportunity to organisations and developers who prioritise open source bitcoin related projects. If you are a bitcoin educator and researcher, this grant programme is also for you. Although the programme is primarily focused across Africa, India, Latin America, MENA, and Southeast Asia but exceptions are made for other regions, depending on the quality of the project they offer. The application process is also similar to that of BDF.

III. UNICEF and Giga Funding Opportunity
Website
This programme is interested in talents and start ups in the crypto space that build blockchain technologies that have the potential to benefit humanity. It is an equity free investment, meaning that UNICEF does not need any ownership stake or shares. The programme gives grant of up to 100k USD in cryptocurrency (bitcoin or ether). If you have a start up registered in any UNICEF programme country, this opportunity is for you. It is easy to apply, you can visit the site to learn more.

IV. Summer of Bitcoin
Website
Summer of bitcoin is a global online internship programme, founded in 2021. The programme aims to tutor university students on bitcoin open source related development and designs.

How it works:
Apply for the programme and you will undergo the screening round. Successful candidates will;
* Learn how bitcoin works
* Contribute to bitcoin related projects
* Earn Bitcoin as stipends while undergoing this programme.
* If your performance is exceptionally great, then you will be referred for a job in the bitcoin industry.

Other programmes includes;
OpenSats General Fund
RootstockCollective

Maybe I missed other platforms that offers opportunities like this to bitcoiners and developers. If you find any other useful resources let me know  and I will include it in the OP.

[MArsland]

At No. 1 (BDF) where they emphasize organizations that aim to support developers who resist authoritarian governments, I mean what if the law in a country there is a provision questioning the origin of scholarship funding and it is considered to violate the rules of the country or university how to solve it?

In 2025 BDF successfully donated funds for 20 projects and I just found out that one of them is a project from my country called Code Orange Dev School https://hrf.org/latest/hrfs-bitcoin-development-fund-supports-20-projects-worldwide/

[gracreavix]

It's a good initiative. But the competition to get picked will be the very thing that might and will make not even move further to try and get it. From what is going on, they will only pick the very best. That's you competing with someone that has more years and experience than someone who just learned about it in few weeks and want this. The latter will always be picked over the former. My encouragement for people is to go learn the skills instead of applying for initiatives.

[promise444c5]

It's a good initiative. But the competition to get picked will be the very thing that might and will make not even move further to try and get it. From what is going on, they will only pick the very best. That's you competing with someone that has more years and experience than someone who just learned about it in few weeks and want this. The latter will always be picked over the former. My encouragement for people is to go learn the skills instead of applying for initiatives.

Do you expect it not to have competition ?  It is a grant for crying out loud..

You obviously have to standout, unique or have something quality compare to every other  individual or organization that also aiming for it . build /contribute something that stands out and you can get easily get it, you don’t really need to compete directly with anyone per se.. Or

You don’t and shouldn’t expect them to just give grant randomly without any review..

Sometimes it can depend on the rules too but  you still need something to show for that you’re truly building something useful and valuable before you can get it.

[freedomgo]

This is a good initiative, but unfortunately we already missed the deadline this year for anyone interested and qualified to apply.

Summer of Bitcoin - How it works

Last date to apply is February 15, 2026.

They already announced the selected participants for the 2026 batch, so I guess for anyone interested now, the next chance would be the next application cycle. I haven't seen an official 2027 application announcement yet though, so better to keep checking their official site for the next schedule.

[348Judah]

I am just hearing something like this for the first time ever existed in Bitcoin network, which is more of a preferable option for me than taking a loan or any other form of indebtedness. Using Bitcoin to give people grants is a unique opportunity that is aimed at alleviating people in need with particular requirements when they are found qualified for the grant. I will also upload those behind this initiative to help others with their ideas to support them by giving grants to those qualified and meritthemt.

[YellowSwap]

What is the name of they university project that CZ of Binance is running? I think many underage on that platform are talented and this might be useful for me, I have no reasons to chase scholarships.

I also feel somehow about how this scholarship is targeting Bitcoiners, this is like a good way of knowing those who are into Bitcoin, something that should be hidden.

We are still struggling with data leaks of Bitcoiners that are happening around the world through purchased crypto devices and online crypto exchanges, I don't know if this is safe.

[sunsilk]

What is the name of they university project that CZ of Binance is running? I think many underage on that platform are talented and this might be useful for me, I have no reasons to chase scholarships.

That's Binance charity. And most of the details can be found on their website[1]. Me too, I have no reason to be a scholarship and I'm done studying in any kind of academic setup.

My mind and body is tired to go school or to the academe everyday whether it's online or offline. But for those who are less fortunate in life and sees the potential in themselves.

They just have to put the effort and follow the instructions and they also have vocational education.

[1] https://www.binance.charity/scholar

[Die_empty]

What is the name of they university project that CZ of Binance is running? I think many underage on that platform are talented and this might be useful for me, I have no reasons to chase scholarships.

That's Binance charity. And most of the details can be found on their website[1]. Me too, I have no reason to be a scholarship and I'm done studying in any kind of academic setup.

My mind and body is tired to go school or to the academe everyday whether it's online or offline. But for those who are less fortunate in life and sees the potential in themselves.

They just have to put the effort and follow the instructions and they also have vocational education.

[1] https://www.binance.charity/scholar

It is not too late to learn what you find interesting or important. With the rate at which innovation is making people lose their jobs, it might not be out of place to learn skills in high demand. 

If there are no age restrictions for this program, I might consider checking out the programs they offer. I also have some young people around me who can find this information helpful.

There is also a related thread that has more platforms that support crypto-related projects.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5502452.0

[lovesmayfamilis]

It's a good initiative. But the competition to get picked will be the very thing that might and will make not even move further to try and get it. From what is going on, they will only pick the very best. That's you competing with someone that has more years and experience than someone who just learned about it in few weeks and want this. The latter will always be picked over the former. My encouragement for people is to go learn the skills instead of applying for initiatives.

With such prejudices, someone simply loses their chances of success. The expectation that there is someone who is more successful or braver will always be a brake on your own advancement. I did not find anywhere in the application offer that an upfront payment is required from candidates, so why should this limit anyone? After all, this forum has very smart people who are at the forefront of the development of bitcoin, and I think they could be good candidates or competitors for all those who do not think about their shortcomings but have a good understanding and confidence in their knowledge.

[hmbdofficial]

Indeed a useful information, especially for people who want to help bitcoin through several aspects like the coding, research on  other open source projects. Many people may be interested in and even have the skill but might lose interest because of the funding in taking up those projects, so this kind of grant will definitely make wa way for such people to be able to make their contributions.

However, I also think that the rules and requirements for these programmes can change, so it’s also important to check their official website before applying. I also would like to  advise that you check every details before involving your self into some scams site.

[Alvin_talk]

It's a good initiative. But the competition to get picked will be the very thing that might and will make not even move further to try and get it. From what is going on, they will only pick the very best. That's you competing with someone that has more years and experience than someone who just learned about it in few weeks and want this. The latter will always be picked over the former. My encouragement for people is to go learn the skills instead of applying for initiatives.

That is a myopic mindset to possess. Why not thrive to be the best at what you do? The opportunities aren't running out anytime soon and all you owe yourself is to keep on improving so you can match up with the opportunity. Infact, you don't always have to be the best to get selected for an opportunity; all you need is to have a clear goal and vision that interest sponsors. You might be the most knowledgeable developer but an average developer's project can be more interesting than yours, so it doesn't have anything to do with being the best and all that.

I also feel somehow about how this scholarship is targeting Bitcoiners, this is like a good way of knowing those who are into Bitcoin, something that should be hidden.

We are still struggling with data leaks of Bitcoiners that are happening around the world through purchased crypto devices and online crypto exchanges, I don't know if this is safe.

When you start viewing every opportunity presented to you in this manner, then something is wrong. Well, it is a matter of choice to take advantage of these opportunities, so its not really a problem if you feel it conflicts with your interests.