Structura’s grant programs are structured into three distinct categories, each with its own review process, governance requirements and funding approach.
1. Network Awards (larger awards passed through governance)
Purpose: Large-scale partnerships with key infrastructure providers to support growth of the SHAPE Network.
Governance & Review:
- All Network Award proposals must be submitted via Governance Proposal for deliberation and voting.
Budget:
- Each Network Award submission is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, without an annual budget allocation.
Timing:
- Network Awards are evaluated at the time they are submitted for Governance Proposal.
Evaluation Methodology:
- Governance Proposals should be submitted with the following information:
- Description of the service being provided or tooling being implemented to benefit the SHAPE Network;
- Awards disbursement with no more than 40% allocated upon enactment of the Governance Proposal, with clearly articulated metrics and milestones that must be achieved and a distribution schedule of remaining award upon completion of milestones; and
- Authorization of the Growth Committee to evaluate completion of the milestones to determine if awards should be released and application of the metrics to determine if the award should be paid in full.
Tax Reporting:
- As with any enacted Governance Proposal, all recipients of funds for a Network Award must complete their tax reporting intake within 15 days, or the payment will expire, and any non-conforming recipients shall not be eligible to receive the funds absent future Governance Proposal.
2. Ecosystem Awards (awards distributed through the growth committee requiring milestones being met)
Purpose: These grants are focused on growing the ecosystem and increasing network activity.
Governance & Review:
- Growth Committee Commissioners are appointed through governance with the members of the Structura DUNA being able to appoint or replace the Growth Committee Commissioner via enacted Governance Proposal.
- Applications are evaluated by the Growth Committee on a rolling basis as proposals are submitted.
- Award decisions are made directly by the Growth Committee, without requiring full governance votes.
- Any milestones and metrics, as well as a distribution award schedule will be conveyed by the Growth Committee in the notification of award. Although it is possible that the nature of an Ecosystem Award would be payable upon selection, the expected result will be:
- 40% allocated upon enactment of the Governance Proposal with clearly articulated metrics and milestones that must be achieved and a distribution schedule of remaining award upon completion of milestones; and
- Authorization of the Growth Committee to evaluate completion of the milestones to determine if awards should be released and application of the metrics to determine if the award should be paid in full.
- Any milestones and metrics, as well as a distribution award schedule will be conveyed by the Growth Committee in the notification of award. Although it is possible that the nature of an Ecosystem Award would be payable upon selection, the expected result will be:
Budget:
- The Growth Committee is authorized with an annual token allotment of 140 million SHAPE for Ecosystem Awards, with a maximum individual token award of 15 million SHAPE. In the event the annual token allotment is exceeded – any member of the Structura DUNA may submit a Governance Proposal to authorize an additional allocation.
Timing:
- Ecosystem Awards are evaluated at the time they are submitted to the Growth Committee.
Evaluation Methodology:
- The Growth Committee evaluates Ecosystem Awards on a criterion assessing their:
- Network Alignment (25%);
- Ecosystem Impact (25%);
- Technical Ingenuity (15%);
- Operational Feasibility (15%);
- Enduring Contribution (10%); and
- Community Engagement (10%).
- See Appendix A for the full criterion.
Tax Reporting:
- Any recipient of funds for an Ecosystem Award will receive a link to complete their tax reporting included in their notification of award. Award recipients must complete their tax reporting intake within 15 days, or the payment will expire, and any non-complying recipient shall not be eligible to receive the funds absent future Governance Proposal or resubmission and approval of an Ecosystem Award.
3. Community Awards (smaller awards distributed through the growth committee that do not require milestones)
Purpose: Recognize and reward stakeholder participation in the Shape ecosystem, including promotional, organizational, and ecosystem engagement efforts.
Governance & Review:
- Growth Committee Commissioners are appointed through governance with the members of the Structura DUNA being able to appoint or replace the Growth Committee Commissioner via enacted Governance Proposal.
- Award decisions are made directly by the Growth Committee, without requiring full governance votes.
- Any milestones and metrics, as well as a distribution award schedule, will be conveyed by the Growth Committee in the notification of award. Although it is possible that the nature of a Community Award would be disbursed with milestones and metrics attached – given the size of the awards and their intended purposes, it is expected that Community Awards will be distributed fully upon being selected.
Budget:
- The Growth Committee is authorized with an annual token allotment of 60 million SHAPE for Community Awards. As Community Awards could take the form of events or sponsorships, there is no individual token award limit – however, it is expected that Community Awards will not exceed 5 million shape but for unique circumstances. In the event the annual token allotment is exceeded – any member of the Structura DUNA may submit a Governance Proposal to authorize an additional allocation.
Timing:
- Community Awards are evaluated at the time they are submitted to the Growth Committee.
Evaluation Methodology:
- The Growth Committee evaluates Community Awards on a criterion assessing their:
- Strategic Alignment (35%);
- Reputation (20%);
- Community Engagement (20%)
- Operational Feasibility (10%);
- Community Impact (10%); and
- Fun (5%)
- See Appendix B for the full criterion.
Tax Reporting:
- Any recipient of funds for a Community Award will receive a link to complete their tax reporting included in their notification of award. Award recipients must complete their tax reporting intake within 15 days, or the payment will expire, and any non-complying recipient shall not be eligible to receive the funds absent future Governance Proposal or resubmission and approval of a Community Award.
Appendix A - Ecosystem Awards Evaluation Matrix
| Criterion | Weight | 0 – Poor | 1 – Limited | 3 – Strong | 5 – Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Alignment: Effectively advances the network’s operation or roadmap | 25% | No link to network or operational roadmap | Indirect or minimal link to network or operational roadmap | Clearly aligned with at least one strategic objective | Directly accelerates a core protocol objective; high strategic leverage |
| Ecosystem Impact: Tangible improvements for current users or increased adoption of new users | 25% | No benefit articulated | Articulatable benefits to ecosystem; realistic outcome projected | Quantifiable KPIs; milestones established; measurables met would drive results | Transformational impact; quantifiable measurables; milestones met embedded in accomplishing objectives |
| Technical Ingenuity: Reliable application, novel design and/or development of tooling or network function | 15% | Routine copy | Minor modifications to existing function | Innovative features; solid technical design; any duplication of existing function increases decentralization or resiliency | Breakthrough in approach; includes peer-review or audits of novel code; any duplication of existing function provides critical decentralization or resilience |
| Operational Feasibility: Realistic timeline and necessary resources to deliver | 15% | No plan | High-level outline | Detailed roadmap; budget aligned with milestones; credible team | Granular milestones; flexibility in budget depending on need; proven track record |
| Enduring Contribution: Longterm functionality and continued benefit | 10% | Short-term benefit only | Limited lifespan or expected decline in utility over time | Reasonable probability of continued adoption and utility | Clear and lasting contribution; functionality and benefit embedded into network use cases |
| Community Engagement: Effectively messages benefits to users and potential users of the network | 10% | No outreach or document repo | Minimal outreach / document repo not accessible to users | Planned engagement activities and AMAs; public repo | Active co-creation, inclusive implementation and use cases; public repo; planned engagement activities and AMAs |
Appendix B - Community Awards Evaluation Matrix
| Criterion | Weight | 0 – Poor | 1 – Limited | 3 – Strong | 5 – Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strategic Alignment: Effectively advances purpose and / or network roadmap | 35% | No connection | Vague / tangential connection | Clearly aligned with at least one strategic objective | Directly accelerates a core protocol objective; high strategic leverage |
| Reputation: Does submitting person or team have a demonstrable track record with the SHAPE Network | 20% | No member involvement and checkered history with successful building | Limited member involvement but demonstrable record of previously successful grants | Active member with some record of successful project completion through grants | Active member with provable and significant history of completion of successful projects through effective utilization of grant awards |
| Community Engagement: Effectively messages benefits to network users and / or facilitates member contribution | 20% | No outreach or member participation | Minimal outreach | Planned engagement activities | Active co-creation, inclusive implementation and use cases; planned engagement activities and AMAs |
| Operational Feasibility: Realistic timeline and necessary resources to deliver | 10% | No plan | High-level outline | Detailed plan; realistic resources | Plan and budget tied to expected results; proven track record |
| Community Impact: Longterm continued benefit, immediate need, or replicable activity in the future. | 10% | Minimum impact to community with no lasting benefit | Short-term benefit; | Reasonable probability of lasting benefit | Replicable or continued project benefits; functionality and benefit embedded into project summary |
| Fun: Will members enjoy participating | 5% | No creativity | Minimal originality | Novel and engaging | Highly creative and energizing |