2026 Budget Process

The 2026 Cardano Budget Process, facilitated by Intersect, introduces a structured and transparent framework to coordinate how treasury resources are proposed, reviewed, and ultimately allocated across the ecosystem. Designed in response to lessons learned from previous cycles, the process aims to improve clarity, comparability, and alignment with Cardano’s long-term strategic priorities, while ensuring that final funding decisions remain fully governed on-chain by the community.

At its core, the process establishes a clear lifecycle for proposals, from initial drafting and community feedback through to advisory voting and consolidation into Treasury Withdrawal governance actions. This iterative approach encourages collaboration, strengthens proposal quality, and provides DReps and stakeholders with a more consistent basis for evaluation. Intersect plays a facilitative role throughout, supporting coordination, tooling, and process integrity without influencing final funding outcomes.
<overview>Read more about budget process</overview>

Built to be repeatable and adaptable over time, the framework also introduces defined timelines, standardized submission formats, and a structured review loop to reduce friction and improve participation across the ecosystem. By aligning funding decisions with shared strategy, governance safeguards, and measurable outcomes, the 2026 process represents a step forward in enabling sustainable, community-driven growth for Cardano.
<timeline>Review timeline</timeline>