Starknet Foundation Delegation Program: How to apply, program requirements, and what comes next

Starknet is transitioning toward a Proof of Stake (PoS) model to strengthen its decentralization and enhance network resilience. To facilitate this, the Starknet Foundation launched the Starknet Foundation Delegation Program (SFDP) - a strategic initiative to expand validator diversity and lower entry barriers for participation. Validators selected for the program can receive matched stake up to 5 million STRK, provided they meet performance benchmarks such as maintaining uptime over 99% and setting commission rates no higher than 10%.

Key Ideas

Matched Stake Incentives: The Foundation offers a 1:1 stake match (up to 5M STRK) to validators who meet criteria, supporting decentralization and robust network security.
Inclusive Validator Growth: SFDP supports both new and existing validators, with flexible structures and community-driven updates to ensure transparency and fairness.

Why It Matters?

Developers with infrastructure skills can apply to become validators in Starknet’s SFDP to help decentralize the network while benefiting from matched STRK delegation. Meeting strict technical requirements like >99% uptime and ≤10% commission unlocks strategic rewards and establishes credibility within the ecosystem.

Startups may choose Starknet as a Layer 2 platform for building scalable dApps, knowing that its validator incentives support security and decentralization. This reliability increases confidence in platform stability and attracts users who value transparent and resilient architecture.