Cryptonet is an open distributed research lab working on applied cryptography problems motivated by the Web 3.0 stack. Originally founded to develop the cryptographic tools for Filecoin, we are now engaged in a variety of research efforts to develop and enable new capabilities in decentralized networks.

As part of our mission we are aiming to create a community of researchers, engineers and developers to collaborate with our technical team on new and exciting Web3 cryptographic problems. A cornerstone of this effort is our new funding program to support valuable research projects in the space, while also fostering collaborations across industry and academia.

Cryptonet network grants are mid-size funding instruments intended to stimulate research on cryptographic problems arising from Web3 applications. Specific topics of interest include:

We expect the typical grant to last one year and receive $25,000 in funding, but applications are accepted for amounts up to $35,000. Funds can be used to support graduate students, the summer salaries of university faculty, travel to conferences and meetings, participation in summer schools and Web3 events, or fellowships for graduate students and postdocs.

Applications will be received at any time, through a revolving application process. To apply for a Network Grant, applicants must submit a 3-page research proposal, a CV, and a budget that should not exceed $35,000, with a description of how the funds will be used.

Apply at this page.

While funded researchers are not required to collaborate with CryptoNet staff or other grantees, we will strongly encourage interactions across the network of funded PIs. To that extent CryptoNet will organize events for the PIs to share their problems and progress, and foster collaboration.

If you are a researcher working in any of the problems above, we encourage you to read the details of the funding call, submit your application, and become part of Cryptonet’s extended community of researchers and collaborators.