A Public Goods Initiative
Building the Commons for a Conscious Digital Economy.
We fund researchers, support builders, and maintain open infrastructure. The Foundation exists so that the systems shaping our digital future are built on shared, durable foundations.
01
The Mission
The ARO Foundation exists to fund and support the public goods layer of a conscious digital economy. We channel resources toward research, education, and open infrastructure that benefits the broader community, not just ARO participants.
Durable systems require shared foundations. Open protocols, accessible research, trained builders, and informed communities are not side effects of good infrastructure; they are prerequisites for it.
Research
Grants
Education
Open Source
02
Programs
What the Foundation funds and supports.
Grants
Rolling funding for builders, researchers, and community organizers. $5K to $50K per project.
Learn more →Fellows
A 12-month residency for emerging technologists working at the intersection of blockchain and society.
Learn more →Research
Working papers, technical reports, and policy briefs on tokenomics, identity, governance, and infrastructure.
Learn more →Open Source
Protocol libraries, smart contract toolkits, and developer resources maintained for the commons.
Learn more →Education
Workshops, bootcamps, and technical content lowering the barrier to blockchain development.
Learn more →03
Impact
What we have built so far.
$250K+
Grants Awarded
12
Research Papers Published
8
Active Fellows
15
Open Source Projects
04
Latest Publications
Research and institutional communications from the Foundation.
No publications available yet.
05
Updates
Apr 2026
Q3 2026 grant cycle now accepting applications
Mar 2026
Working paper published: Soulbound Identity in Permissioned Networks
Mar 2026
2026 Fellows cohort announced: 8 researchers and builders selected
Feb 2026
Open source release: ARO Identity Primitives v1.0
Jan 2026
Foundation Annual Report 2025 published
06
Get Involved
There are several ways to participate in the Foundation's work.