A development team from Blockstream has released a research paper proposing a modification of the Lightning Network settlement system and a change to the Bitcoin Core protocol. (beat.10ztalk.com)
How core protocol work is best funded beyond the initial Ethereum Foundation endowment is an open question, but likely further out. (medium.com)
Moreover, having one secure and thoroughly daily tested core protocol, with other customized private blockchains revolving around it, may make more sense in regards to developers talent which is in short supply, but largely attracted to eth, as they can test their skills or transfer them to the the public blockchain or other eth based blockchains. (ccinews.net)