Maelstrom Bitcoin Grant Program

The Maelstrom Bitcoin Grant Program funds open source developers who work on Bitcoin. Maelstrom announced the program on its website in July 2024. Its goal is to help the technical development of Bitcoin and to make it more resilient, scalable, private and resistant to censorship.

A grant runs for 12 months and is worth $50,000 up to $150,000 per developer. Payments are monthly in BTC, USDC or USDT. Grant stacking is allowed, with a cap of $400,000 a year.

Grantees are expected to contribute to Bitcoin's technical development, for example through pull requests or review work for the Bitcoin Core software project. Current grantees work full time on Bitcoin Core, Payjoin, Silent Payments, and protecting Bitcoin against a break in elliptic curve cryptography.

You apply through a Google form linked from the program page. The application must contain at least one reference, and candidates should expect at least one interview with a member of the review committee before a grant is issued. The committee is Arthur Hayes and Jonathan Bier, the program administrator.

There is no deadline. Maelstrom published an annual report for the period ending June 2026, and the program page was last updated on 14 September 2026.

Quick answers

How much does it pay?

$50,000 up to $150,000 per developer. It is a grant and takes no equity.

When is the deadline?

There is no fixed deadline. Applications are reviewed as they arrive.

Who can apply?

Developers who contribute to Bitcoin's technical development, for example pull requests or review work for Bitcoin Core. Applications must include at least one reference. Applicants from anywhere in the world can enter, unless the eligibility rules say otherwise.

How do I apply?

Through the official page at forms.gle. The link is at the top of this page.

How is the grant paid?

Grants run for 12 months and are paid monthly in BTC, USDC or USDT.

Can a grant be combined with other funding?

Yes. Grant stacking is allowed up to $400,000 a year.