Decentralized storage is no longer a niche infrastructure problem—it is becoming a foundational layer for Web3, AI, data markets, and onchain applications. Recognizing this shift, the Walrus Foundation has officially launched the Walrus Request for Proposals (RFP) Program, a major initiative designed to fund and support builders who want to expand the Walrus ecosystem and push programmable storage forward.
This program marks an important milestone for Walrus. It signals a transition from core protocol development into ecosystem-scale growth, where independent teams, developers, and researchers play a direct role in shaping how decentralized storage evolves.
Why the Walrus RFP Program Matters
Walrus is not just another decentralized storage network. It is a programmable, verifiable, and high-performance data layer built on Sui, designed to treat storage as an onchain resource rather than a passive backend.
As more applications rely on Walrus to store blobs, media, proofs, AI artifacts, and real-world data, the ecosystem needs:
Better tooling
Deeper integrations
New application layers
Innovative use cases built directly on Walrus primitives
The Walrus RFP Program exists to identify gaps, fund solutions, and align builder incentives with the long-term success of the protocol.
Instead of open-ended grants with unclear direction, Walrus RFPs are targeted and purpose-driven, each one addressing a specific ecosystem need at a given time.
What Kind of Projects Walrus Is Looking For
The Walrus Foundation is explicitly seeking bold, execution-focused teams who understand both the technical and product dimensions of decentralized storage.
Projects eligible for RFP funding may include:
Developer tooling and SDK extensions for Walrus
Integrations with other blockchain ecosystems
Data indexing, querying, or analytics layers
Storage-related middleware and infrastructure
Novel applications that showcase programmable blob storage
Research-driven improvements to reliability, performance, or usability
What matters most is alignment with Walrus’s mission: unlocking the full potential of decentralized, programmable storage.
How Proposals Are Evaluated
Walrus is taking a quality-first approach to ecosystem growth. Proposals are evaluated across four core dimensions:
1. Technical strength and execution
Teams must demonstrate a realistic development plan, clear milestones, and the ability to ship. Walrus values builders who can move from idea to production.
2. Product alignment with creative insight
While proposals must address the goals of a specific RFP, Walrus encourages thoughtful extensions and creative approaches that push beyond the obvious solution.
3. Ecosystem engagement and sustainability
Projects should not be one-off experiments. The strongest proposals show potential for long-term adoption, collaboration, and integration within the Walrus and broader Web3 ecosystem.
4. Commitment and resourcing
Walrus aims to amplify teams that already show momentum—whether through internal resources, external funding, or strong community engagement. The RFP program is designed to accelerate meaningful work, not replace founder commitment.
A Transparent and Structured Selection Process
The Walrus RFP Program follows a clear and transparent selection pipeline:
Applications are open now, with proposals reviewed on a rolling basis
Early submissions are encouraged, as reviews begin two weeks after launch
Shortlisted teams may be invited for interviews or technical evaluations
Final selections undergo KYC/KYB checks before onboarding
Teams not selected are kept connected through future RFP opportunities
This structure ensures fairness, clarity, and long-term alignment between Walrus and its builders.
Building the Walrus Ecosystem Together
At its core, Walrus is building more than a storage protocol—it is building data infrastructure for the next generation of decentralized applications.
As programmable storage becomes essential for:
AI systems
Data markets
Social platforms
Real-world asset tokenization
Privacy-preserving analytics
Web3-native media and content
…the need for a strong, diverse ecosystem becomes critical.
The Walrus RFP Program is an open invitation to builders who want to shape how decentralized data works—not just store files, but program, verify, and monetize data in trust-minimized ways.
A Call to Builders
If you have:
A clear idea that improves Walrus
A team capable of executing
A vision aligned with decentralized, programmable storage
…the Walrus Foundation wants to hear from you.
The RFP Program is not just about funding—it’s about co-creating the future of storage, together with builders who believe data should be open, verifiable, resilient, and owned by users.
Walrus is opening the door. The next chapter of decentralized storage will be written by the ecosystem. @Walrus 🦭/acc #walrus $WAL
