SHIFT Grants
We are launching the SHIFT Grants Program to fund d/acc projects in biosecurity, cyber defense, information resilience, physical resilience, neurotech, and social technology.
With anchor funding from Vitalik Buterin, Trent McConaghy, ASI Alliance (Ocean Protocol Foundation), and Yoni Ben-Shimon, we will distribute grants in two tiers:
- Micro Grants ($5K-$15K) – For prototypes and exploratory experiments & ideas.
- Development Grants ($20K-$40K) – For teams with clear execution capacity and milestone-based deliverables.
We may allocate follow-on or larger amounts for exceptional projects. The program will be co-directed by Edge City and Nodes.
Express your interest to learn more here.
What is d/acc and why now?
D/acc is decentralized and democratic, differential defensive acceleration—a framework for accelerating technologies that shift the offense-defense balance toward defense while ensuring that power remains distributed, not centralized.
The goal is to make the world more robust against emerging risks—not by slowing down progress but by developing technology that defends rather than dominates in fields like biosecurity, cryptography, cyber defense, and governance.
The purpose of the SHIFT Grants program is to catalyze a new wave of d/acc-aligned builders, giving them the resources to execute.
Importantly, this will lead to many downstream benefits beyond just protection. Many of the same technologies that will allow us to survive will also enable us to thrive. For example, viral persistence research done in response to pandemics is now shown to be potentially helpful with Alzheimer’s and aging.
Who Should Apply?
We’ll back projects working on six key areas of d/acc:
- Biosecurity & Pandemic Defense (e.g. open-source vaccines, pathogen detection, air filtration)
- Cyber Defense & Cryptography (e.g. zero-knowledge proofs, decentralized identity, AI verification)
- Information Resilience (e.g. decentralized fact-checking, high-signal discourse tools)
- Infrastructure & Physical Defense (e.g. resilient supply chains, encrypted comms, energy decentralization)
- NeuroTech & Augmented Cognition (e.g. Secure and open-source BCI, human-AI collaboration)
- Social Technology & Governance (e.g. deep funding, info finance, public goods funding, decentralized governance)
Though we will consider a broad scope, we are particularly excited by projects that would benefit from real-world deployment or collaborative iteration - leveraging the unique environment of Edge City.
How to Apply
Applications open in March 2025. More details will be shared soon.
Please sign up for the interest form to get contacted as soon as we open the applications.
For questions or partnerships, reach out to lou@nodestech.xyz.
About Edge City
Edge City convenes people working at the frontiers of tech, science, and society in popup villages around the world. We provide environments where new ideas, technologies, and governance models can be tested in real-world conditions.
About Nodes
Nodes is an organization focused on advancing frontier technology and community systems. Led by Lou and Aleks, Nodes designs and runs highly curated technical gatherings, builder camps, and strategic initiatives to accelerate innovation in high-impact fields.
FAQ
What is the SHIFT Grants Program?
SHIFT Grants is a funding initiative supporting projects in decentralized acceleration (d/acc) across biosecurity, cyber defense, information resilience, physical resilience, neurotech, and social technology. We are providing $200K+ in initial funding to help teams build and test applied solutions that align with d/acc principles.
What is d/acc?
D/acc stands for decentralized and democratic differential defensive acceleration—a framework for accelerating technologies that shift the offense-defense balance toward defense while ensuring that power remains distributed, not centralized.
The philosophy behind d/acc recognizes that technological acceleration is inevitable and beneficial, but the key question is which technologies we prioritize. Instead of advancing offensive capabilities that could destabilize society or concentrating power in a few hands, d/acc emphasizes:
- Biosecurity that works for everyone, with open-source vaccines, far-UVC, and decentralized epidemic detection.
- Cyber defense and cryptographic tools that strengthen individual security, protect privacy, and ensure AI remains verifiable and controllable.
- Information resilience through decentralized fact-checking, high-signal discourse tools, and prediction markets.
- Infrastructure and physical resilience that decentralizes critical systems, from secure communications to energy independence.
- Neurotech and human-AI collaboration that enhances human capabilities while preserving agency.
- New governance models that prevent power consolidation and strengthen coordination without coercion.
D/acc is already taking shape in real-world projects. Open-source vaccines are making progress, zero-knowledge proofs are being deployed in digital identity, and decentralized moderation tools like Community Notes are proving their value.
As d/acc continues to evolve, the goal is clear: develop the technologies that keep decentralized societies safe, strong, and free, without assuming that “the right people” will always be in charge.
For more background, see Vitalik Buterin’s original and follow-up posts on the topic.
Who is funding this program?
The initial funding comes from Vitalik Buterin, Trent McConaghy, ASI Alliance (Ocean Protocol Foundation), Yoni Ben-Shimon, and Jake Hartnell (WAVS). Additional funding partners may be announced in the future to sustain and expand the program.
If you are interested in funding the program, please reach out to lou@nodestech.xyz and cc timour@edgecity.live.
Who is running this program?
What kinds of projects are we looking for?
We are looking for projects that:
- Fit within one of the six d/acc areas—Biosecurity, Cyber Defense, Information Resilience, Infrastructure & Physical Defense, NeuroTech, or Social Technology.
- Have an applied component—we prioritize projects that can produce prototypes, proofs of concept, or deployments within 6-12 months.
- Benefit from in-person collaboration—projects that require real-world testing, iteration, or deployment in a dynamic setting (such as at an Edge City event) are a great fit.
- Note: you don’t have to build your project IRL, but it would be great to be able to test it or showcase MVPs for feedback at the villages.
- Would struggle to get funding elsewhere—we want to support high-upside, underfunded, or experimental approaches that align with d/acc.
What types of grants are available?
We offer two funding tiers:
- Micro Grants ($5K-$15K) – For prototypes, exploratory experiments, or individual contributors testing ideas.
- Development Grants ($20K-$40K) – For teams with clear execution capacity and milestone-based deliverables.
We may allocate larger amounts for exceptional projects.
How will projects be selected?
A small expert panel (Edge City, Nodes, and d/acc-aligned advisors) will review applications. Selection will be based on:
- Alignment with d/acc principles (we are developing an evaluation framework for this).
- Potential for real-world impact within 6-12 months.
- Feasibility and execution ability of the team.
- Fit for Edge City’s environments (e.g., projects that benefit from in-person testing or deployment will be prioritized).
Community input (e.g., quadratic voting on applications, open presentations at Edge City) may also be incorporated.
Is the funding milestone-based?
For Development Grants ($20K-$40K), yes. Funding will be distributed in phases based on progress checkpoints:
- Initial disbursement – To start the project.
- Midpoint review – Assessment of progress, adjustments if needed.
- Final evaluation – Public report, open-source release, or demonstrated implementation.
Micro Grants do not require milestones beyond a simple project update.
Will grant recipients get access to Edge City events?
Yes. We will allocate 10% of the grant pool for travel stipends so recipients can attend Edge City gatherings during d/acc-focused weeks. Attending in person is encouraged but not mandatory—projects can present their work remotely if needed.
Can I apply if I’m an independent researcher or first-time builder?
Yes! We welcome independent researchers, small teams, and early-stage startups. You don’t need to be part of an established institution.
Can an existing organization apply?
Yes, but we prioritize projects that need a funding push to get off the ground. If your organization already has significant funding, your project must demonstrate why additional support is necessary.
What is the timeline for applications?
Applications will open in March 2025. To be notified as soon as they launch, sign up here.
Why should I apply?
If you’re building something that advances d/acc, needs funding, and would benefit from real-world testing, SHIFT Grants is designed to support you.
For questions or partnerships, contact lou@nodestech.xyz.
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