Announcing the Cartesi Grants Program - Wave 2

Wave 2 of the Cartesi Grants Program is live! Apply for a grant here.

It’s been a transformative journey for the Cartesi Grants Program and the ecosystem as a whole. Wave 1 saw significant progress, with innovative contributions from grantees like DCA.Monster and Drawing Canvas, whose dApps went even further by integrating ecosystem partner technologies like Espresso. As we launch Wave 2, we’re calling on the community to take innovation even further.

Wave 1 empowered 6 grantees, committing a total of $191,000 in funding. It paved the way for innovative use cases on Cartesi, and we are even more excited to drive ecosystem growth and long-term participation by funding impactful projects.

Take a look at learnings from Wave 1 and projects funded here.

Building on the foundations of Wave 1, Wave 2 of the Cartesi Grants Program introduces Intents—a foundational framework to enhance focus, alignment, and success across the broader ecosystem. These Intents represent medium-term objectives that guide the strategic direction for the community and have been reviewed and approved by the Cartesi community.

Program Details

• Budget: Up to $500,000 in CTSI.
• Duration: Wave 2 will run for six months, accepting applications on a rolling basis.
• Grant Type: Milestone-based.
• Application Pathways: All work supported by the CGP Wave 2 will align with the Intents. There are two main pathways for developers and teams to apply for grants:
  • Request for Proposals (RFPs): Proposed missions from the Cartesi core units and community that invite proposals for high-impact work. These missions address specific needs in the ecosystem, such as developing new features or creating solutions in pursuit of the Intents.
  • Community Proposals: Involves Cartesi community members proposing their own ideas with tangible steps to achieving CGP’s Intents. These proposals are actionable and specific, guiding the journey towards fulfilling our Intents.

How to Get Involved and Submit Your Application

Wave 2 of the Cartesi Grants Program (CGP) is all about aligning the community and the Cartesi ecosystem towards collective success through the Intents. Whether you're inspired by the modular possibilities of Cartesi technology or looking to innovate in the blockchain space, there are several ways to get involved and align with Cartesi’s vision.

Steps to Get Started

Ready to submit your application? Follow these steps to guide you through the process successfully:

• Review Wave 2 Intents: Understand the program's objectives, which are guided by the Intents: Maximize Modular Integrations; Strengthen Infrastructure, Services, and Support for Mainnet Applications; Enhance Cartesi Developer Experience; Expand the Cartesi Design Space; and Grow the Cartesi Ecosystem.
• Explore available RFPs: Explore the available RFPs and submit a proposal that demonstrates your understanding of the problem outlined in the RFP, along with a detailed and feasible plan to execute it.
• Or, submit your brilliant idea: Have your own idea that aligns with one of the Intents? Submit it under Applications.
• Access resources to strengthen your proposal: Review key resources and documentation about Cartesi to prepare a strong submission.
• Get support from the Grants Council: If you need additional help, join Cartesi Discord and reach out to the Grants Council for guidance and support.

Why Get Involved with CGP?

By taking part in the CGP, you’re not just building impactful projects—there’s a multitude of reason why it matters:

• Expand the Cartesi ecosystem: Contribute to the growth of the Cartesi ecosystem by participating in initiatives that address specific community needs.
• Drive innovation: Propose your ideas to foster real innovation and help guide the journey towards fulfilling the strategic Intents.
• Engage with the community: Join a network of like-minded builders in the Cartesi ecosystem. Connect and tap into the collective know-how of bright builders to foster collaboration and shared knowledge.
• Direct grants: Apply for direct funding to support your project. 
• Access to accelerators: Get introductions to accelerators and investors.
• Receive support: Gain tailored assistance for your project, including:
  • Technical guidance to support you throughout your development journey.
  • Direct support tailored to the specific needs of your project through expert consulting.
  • Marketing support to help promote your project.

Other ways to get involved

The Cartesi Grants Program is a community-driven governance mechanism, empowering participants to shape the ecosystem’s future. You can learn more about Cartesi governance here. Not a developer, but want to contribute to the growth of the Cartesi ecosystem? We love to see it! Here’s how you can help:

• Join Our DevDrop & VoterDrop Incentive Programs
  • DevDrop: Refer applicants and earn $500 in CTSI if their proposal is successfully approved for funding. This applies to proposals submitted by your referees for both RFPs and Community Proposals.
  • VoterDrop: Stake your CTSI and vote on Community Proposals on Snapshot to enter a raffle for $100 in CTSI. This applies to Community Proposals recommended by the Grants Council that proceed to a Snapshot vote for wider community approval. By staking and voting during the 7-day period, you actively participate in governance and have a chance to win additional CTSI rewards.
• Submit an RFP Proposal: Have a great idea for something that you want to see built with Cartesi tech? Submit an RFP to the Governance Forum to invite community discussion.
• Vote: The Grants Council will review and discuss community proposals on a weekly basis to determine which proposals will be pushed to Snapshot for a wider community vote. If a majority of token holders vote in favor of the proposal at the end of the 7-day voting period, the proposal will be officially approved for funding. Ensure your CTSI is staked to participate in Snapshot voting.
• Spread the word: Let other people know about the Cartesi Grants Program, be it a developer friend or web3 community/DAO you’re involved with.

The Cartesi Grants Program offers a special opportunity for builders and innovators to help you grow while creating impactful projects that align with Cartesi's vision. We're looking forward to having you be part of this journey!