Non-profits will drive blockchain research and development through grants and university partnerships

æternity, the blockchain 3.0 platform designed to deliver unmatched efficiency, transparent governance, and global scalability, has announced the launch of two foundations, in Liechtenstein and Bulgaria, that will provide grants and educational support to innovative blockchain projects. The Bulgarian foundation will focus on supporting projects throughout the Balkans, while the Liechtenstein-based foundation will have an international focus. Welcoming applications from individuals, teams, and non-commercial projects, the foundations aim to boost the vibrant blockchain ecosystem by offering financial assistance to leading research and development efforts.

Based in Liechtenstein, the æternity Crypto Foundation will primarily focus on supporting research and development efforts in blockchain technology, cryptography, and mathematics. To this end, it will commence by providing grants up to one million CHF, paid in cryptocurrency, to innovative projects that are viewed as having significant potential to further explore and proliferate the benefits of blockchain. The Foundation also aims to further vitalize the overall blockchain ecosystem, lending resources to developing innovative ideas for decentralized applications, as well as promoting art and culture initiatives in the space. The grant program will expand on an ongoing basis in tandem with progress on the project’s core and applications development.

Peter Schnürer, æternity Crypto Foundation Board Member, a prominent figure in Liechtenstein blockchain space, and part of the expert group that architected the Liechtenstein Legal Blockchain Act, said: “The Foundation will offer research support, the driving force behind advancements in the industry, as well as assisting smart, unconventional thinkers as they explore this technology and we encourage all blockchain innovators to submit an application. It will also help startups expand the potential of their creative work in a collaborative, dynamic environment. We are committed to driving blockchain innovation by supporting a broad spectrum of the blockchain ecosystem and look forward to a variety of applications from disruptive projects in the space.”

Meanwhile, the æternity Foundation Bulgaria will work to implement partnerships with universities and other educational institutions in Bulgaria and in the Balkan region. The Foundation will offer scholarships to provide blockchain enthusiasts the opportunity to secure a recognized qualification related to the technology and embark on a career in the space. This level of collaboration will educate professionals outside the technology sector about the benefits and potential of blockchain, thereby driving continued growth in the industry. In addition, the Foundation will encourage the growth of the local blockchain ecosystem by showcasing the work conducted in the Balkans region with the global community.

Nikola Stojanow, CBDO of æternity and Chairman of the Board at æternity Foundation Bulgaria, said: “With the disconnect that exists between emerging technology and mainstream society, it’s important to bridge this gap to spread the benefits of blockchain technology as widely as possible. There’s a significant amount of untapped potential in the Balkans, and the launch of the æternity Foundation Bulgaria will help to put the region on the blockchain map. I look forward to fostering the potential of these extraordinary talents by tapping into the knowledge of researchers from the area’s leading institutions and their world-changing ideas and revolutionary projects.”

The launch of the foundations represents another progressive step during a phase of vibrancy for æternity, following the successful launch of the first æternity Starfleet accelerator for blockchain startups in the summer of this year.

Yanislav Malahov, Founder of æternity, acknowledges: “Through the creation of these two foundations, æternity takes a significant step toward establishing a support structure for the global blockchain ecosystem. Blockchain is a technology with such unlimited potential that has yet to be tapped. By partnering with universities and other institutions and offering grants, we will provide the necessary infrastructure for people to develop significant ideas and unlock blockchain’s ability to solve long-standing problems across a variety of industries.”

For more information about the two foundations and view application forms, please visit https://aeternity-foundation.org and https://aeternity-foundation.bg

About æternity

Founded in 2016, æternity is an open-source, blockchain-based distributed computing platform that builds on decentralized cryptographic P2P technology. Designed to deliver unmatched productivity, transparent governance, and global scalability, æternity offers blockchain technology with a consensus mechanism that is as efficient and cost-effective as possible. æternity recently released Roma, the first live implementation of its next-generation blockchain. A pivotal moment in the history of the æternity project, Roma enables early adopters, developers, and miners for the first time test and build upon a live version of its decentralized network.