Community Grants Program - Project Grants

Project Grants are a specific subset of financial awards that fund short-term Rust-related projects, carried out by both individuals and organizations.

Purpose

To support the work of Rust's hardworking maintainers and leaders in the community by providing funding for Rust-related projects.

What Gets Funded

• Rust compiler improvements and maintenance
• Standard library work and safety improvements
• Cargo and build tool enhancements
• Documentation and developer experience improvements
• Educational materials and resources
• Ecosystem tooling and infrastructure
• Community organization and moderation work
• Specialized technical work (SIMD, FFI, performance, etc.)

Eligibility

• Individuals and organizations
• Active contributors to the Rust community
• Those who demonstrate experience and potential to enhance the community

Application Process

Application rounds are held periodically. The most recent round (October 2022) received over 100 applications. The foundation provides:

• Detailed feedback to all applicants
• Clarified application forms
• Support for applicants with questions about impostor syndrome or eligibility

Notes

• Limited funds available; difficult selection decisions required
• The foundation plans to offer more Project Grants in the future
• Past applicants who were not selected are encouraged to reapply

Application Process

Application Status: Periodic application rounds (specific deadlines vary by round)

Recent Round: October 2022 (second round)

Application Improvements Implemented:

• Clarified application form sections
• Detailed feedback provided to all interested applicants
• Rust Project leadership involvement in review process

What to Include:
Applications should demonstrate:

• Commitment to maintain, develop, and/or expand important areas of the Rust ecosystem
• Clear improvements and increased support for Rust users, maintainers, and community
• Feasibility and timeline for the proposed work

Note: For detailed current application requirements and submission process, visit rustfoundation.org/grants/ or contact contact@rustfoundation.org