home / USDC Grant Program

The USDC
Grant Program

Grants for early-stage projects leveraging USDC to create practical solutions.

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Program Details

If you are a founder or visionary developer integrating USDC payments into your dapp, protocol or research project, the USDC Grant Program can be a valuable catalyst for innovation, providing support and resources to propel your project forward. Selected projects gain access to the following opportunities:

Targeted Support

Unlike generic funding avenues, USDC grants focus specifically on projects that leverage USDC to address real-world challenges.

Work with Circle

Grant recipients have the opportunity to directly interface with Circle in order to gain strategic insights, align vision and benefit from access to product support.

Direct USDC Transfer

Projects have the opportunity to secure funding ranging up to $100,000 in USDC, with the exact amount tailored to match the specific needs and potential impact of each project.

Benefits for competitive edge
  • Operational & co-marketing support
  • Access to Circle Access Network: low-cost USDC on/off ramps
  • Potential referral to Circle Ventures
  • Access to direct product support
  • Web3 Services Credits (ie, Programmable Wallet credits)
  • Access to exclusive USDC Founders Network
  • Access to consultation with Circle’s compliance product experts

What we look for

Launch

Driven teams

We value small, agile teams with full-time founders and a development team of less than 10 people.

USDC

Use cases powered by USDC

We’re looking for projects with use cases that have direct relevance and applicability in the real world, utilizing USDC to solve genuine problems or address unmet needs.

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Stage of development

Projects should be at the MVP, beta, or post-launch stage. Early research projects are also welcome to apply.

Terminal

Integration of Circle APIs

Projects that leverage not only USDC but other Circle products—such as CCTP and Programmable Wallets—get prioritized for selection.

Flag

Clear milestones

Project founders are able to draft clear and realistic project milestones.

Spark

Excellent UI/UX

Web3 adoption is hindered by poorly-designed UI/UX flows. Does your project have a clear and comprehensive user journey?

Launch

Driven teams

We value small, agile teams with full-time founders and a development team of less than 10 people.

USDC

Use cases powered by USDC

We’re looking for projects with use cases that have direct relevance and applicability in the real world, utilizing USDC to solve genuine problems or address unmet needs.

Lightbulb

Stage of development

Projects should be at the MVP, beta, or post-launch stage. Early research projects are also welcome to apply.

Terminal

Integration of Circle APIs

Projects that leverage not only USDC but other Circle products—such as CCTP and Programmable Wallets—get prioritized for selection.

Flag

Clear milestones

Project founders are able to draft clear and realistic project milestones.

Spark

Excellent UI/UX

Web3 adoption is hindered by poorly-designed UI/UX flows. Does your project have a clear and comprehensive user journey?

usdc-fully_programmable

Application Process

Submissions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Step 1: Submit your application.*

Step 2: If your proposal is a good fit, the Circle team will reach out to you within approximately four to eight weeks and send an invitation to meet with the team to align on milestones.

Step 3: The Circle USDC Grant Committee shares the decision of your application.

Step 4: If successful, due diligence will start, followed by agreement execution, after which you will receive the initial tranche payment.

*Submitting an application does not guarantee receipt of funding or participation in the Grant Program.

Apply Now

FAQ

The USDC Grant Program is Circle’s grant initiative designed to catalyze innovation and growth of projects building USDC features and functionality. By providing targeted funding, the aim is to support the development of real-world applications and solutions by early-stage startups, visionary developers, entrepreneurs, and builders. 

Founders, developers and visionary entrepreneurs who are integrating USDC payments into their apps, protocols, or research projects are welcome to apply. We look for projects at various stages of development, from early concept to scaling solutions.

  • Operational & co-marketing support
  • Access to Circle Access Network: low-cost USDC on/off ramps
  • Potential referral to Circle Ventures
  • Access to direct product support
  • Web3 Services Credits (ie, Programmable Wallet credits)
  • Access to exclusive USDC Founders Network
  • Access to consultation with Circle’s compliance product experts

The program directly supports projects that increase the utility, adoption capabilities and distribution of USDC. We are interested in accelerating projects that have identified a clear solution to a problem.

Grant amounts are tailored to match the specific needs and potential impact of each project. Amounts can range from an initial $5,000 (in USDC) to jumpstart early-stage development up to the full $100,000 (in USDC) to scale promising applications.

Here are some of the key questions focused on throughout the application review process:

  1. Is the project leveraging USDC to unlock a real use case?
  2. Does the project have simple and accessible UI/UX implemented?
  3. Does the project have a skilled and motivated team?
  4. Does the project integrate other Circle products like CCTP, Programmable Wallets or Gas Station to unlock new features?
  5. Does the project solve an actual problem?

“USDC” incorporated in the title can help to strengthen the association with Circle and its flagship product. It also is indicative of the kinds of projects that will be supported by the program (projects building on Circle products), as well as indicative of the main direct support vehicle provided to grantees, which is USDC.

Referrals don't guarantee investment, our team selects prospects based on various factors and will get in touch if there's interest.

Please join our Discord and ask any questions in the #usdc-grants channel. Even if you don’t have questions, come tell us about your project!