Cardano Scholar

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Develop a system which will be used by academicians to publish their work and receive funds by those who are interested in their publications and workshops.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

In the future, we plan to release all the source code for the application publicly on GitHub. However, the release will be gradual rather than immediate. This phased approach helps protect our innovative ideas from being prematurely exposed to potential competitors within the industry.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

This project introduces a revolutionary web application designed specifically for academics. By employing Cardano smart contracts, it not only facilitates hosting and sharing of scholarly work but also ensures maximum financial returns to the content creators by entirely removing commission fees compared to traditional platforms (IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, etc.).

Technical Architecture

Web Application:

• User Interface: The user interface is designed to be simple and user-friendly, allowing academics to easily navigate through the platform. Key features include tools for uploading academic papers, creating detailed profiles, and setting specific access permissions for each piece of work.
• Web Hosting: The platform utilizes a robust web hosting setup to maintain academic profiles and store all uploaded content securely. Each academic's profile acts as a personal repository where they can manage their publications. The hosting service also includes functionality to handle permissions given by smart contract execution, ensuring that only authorized users, who have paid, can access the protected content.

Cardano Smart Contracts:

• Transparent Access Management: Utilizes smart contracts to handle access permissions, ensuring only authorized users can engage with the content based on the owner's stipulations.
• Immutable Transaction Records: Employs Cardano’s blockchain to log transactions, maintaining a transparent and tamper-proof record of access and payments.
• ADA Wallet Integration: Facilitates integration with Cardano wallets, optimizing transaction efficiency and reducing costs, which allows more funds to directly benefit the content creators.

Security and Privacy:

• Robust Authentication: Implements strong authentication protocols, including two-factor authentication, to protect user accounts.

Financial Benefits

• Removed Platform Commission Fees: By removing scholaring platform (such as IEEE, Elsevier, etc.) commision fees and leveraging the cost-effective transaction capabilities of Cardano’s blockchain, the application ensures a greater proportion of any revenue generated (from access fees, subscriptions, or donations) is received by the academics themselves.
• Direct Monetization Options: Academicians have the opportunity to set their own pricing models for access to their work, be it through one-time payments, all facilitated through ADA smart contracts.

This application aims to empower academics by providing them a platform where they are in full control of their work and its monetization, counteracting the high fees and lack of transparency often associated with conventional publishing and hosting platforms (such as IEEE, Elsevier, etc.). By using Cardano's blockchain technology, the project promises enhanced security, reduced operational costs, and an equitable distribution of income, ensuring that the majority of the financial benefits go directly to the creators of the content. This approach not only supports the academic community financially but also encourages a broader dissemination of knowledge.

Use Case: Professor Smith sets up a profile on the Cardano Scholar website and posts his research similar to how one might on Google Scholar. Interested individuals can then pay Professor Smith directly in ADA coin for access to his publications or to attend his workshops. All transactions are secured and validated using Cardano Smart Contracts, allowing Professor Smith to retain the full amount he sets, unlike traditional publishing platforms like IEEE and Elsevier that often take significant commissions. This cost-effective model could encourage more academics to use Cardano Scholar.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Enhanced Utility of Cardano Blockchain:

• Increased Adoption: By deploying a web application that utilizes Cardano smart contracts for academic content management, our project will attract academicians and institutions to the Cardano ecosystem, thereby increasing the blockchain's adoption and utility.
• Showcasing Versatility: The application demonstrates the versatility of Cardano's blockchain beyond typical financial transactions, highlighting its potential in academic and intellectual property management.

Economic Opportunities:

• Monetization for Academics: By providing a platform that allows academics to monetize their work effectively and retain more profits, the project encourages more quality content creation within the Cardano ecosystem. This could lead to a more vibrant market for academic materials, all transacted in ADA, thus increasing the token's utility and demand.
• Reduced Transaction Costs: Leveraging Cardano's efficient transaction system, the project ensures low fees for access transactions, which can be appealing to users who are burdened by high fees on other platforms.

Community Growth and Engagement:

• Collaborations and Partnerships: The project could serve as a foundation for collaborations between academic institutions and the Cardano community, fostering a bridge between blockchain technology and educational sectors.
• Community Contributions: Academics involved in the project may contribute to the Cardano community by publishing their research on blockchain technology, smart contracts, and other relevant topics, enriching the community’s knowledge base.

Innovation and Research:

• Research on Blockchain Applications: The application provides a real-world testbed for researching effective blockchain uses in content management and access control, which can lead to further innovations within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Feedback for Improvement: Continuous use and feedback from academic users will provide valuable insights into the scalability, security, and functionality of Cardano smart contracts, guiding future improvements and developments.

Transparency and Trust:

• Immutable Record Keeping: Utilizing blockchain technology for managing academic content access ensures that all transactions are recorded transparently and immutably, increasing trust among users.
• Fair Access to Information: The project promotes a fair and equitable access model for academic content, aligning with the ethos of decentralization and equal access that is central to the blockchain community.

Through these impacts, our project not only contributes to the growth and diversification of the Cardano ecosystem but also sets a precedent for how blockchain technology can be integrated into niche markets and professional sectors, driving wider adoption and innovative uses of the technology. This alignment with the goals of broader accessibility, economic empowerment, and technological innovation underscores the value of our project to the Cardano community.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Team Expertise and Experience:

Our project team consists of two highly skilled developers, me and my co-proposer, who bring complementary expertise to the project.

1. Me:

• Role: Software Developer
• Experience: I am a skilled frontend developer, specializing in creating user-friendly interfaces. I have a keen eye for design and usability, ensuring that the application will be intuitive and accessible.
• Contribution: My expertise will contribute to an engaging and user-centric application, providing an optimal user experience that meets the needs of academics.
• Software Skills: Web development, JavaScript, React, Smart Contracts (both on Cardano and Ethereum Blockchains)

1. My co-proposer:

• Role: Software Developer
• Experience: He has an extensive experience in backend development, with a strong background in building secure and scalable server-side applications. His expertise includes database management, server configurations, and developing robust APIs.
• Contribution: His proficiency ensures that our project will have a solid foundation, with secure and efficient backend systems that align with the project’s requirements.
• Software Skills: Web development, Backend development, Node.js, .NET, Smart Contracts (both on Cardano and Ethereum Blockchains)

Both team members are versatile and will participate in all aspects of the project, providing mutual support and enhancing overall accountability.

Feasibility Assessment

• Pilot testing will involve a selected group of academics to gather feedback on usability, functionality, and overall performance.
• Our development process will follow an iterative approach, enabling us to incorporate feedback and make necessary adjustments at each stage.
• Regular testing and validation will ensure that any issues are identified and resolved promptly.
• We plan to engage with potential users, such as academic institutions and researchers, to validate our approach and ensure it aligns with their needs and expectations.
• Continuous feedback from academics will guide our development process and enhance the project's relevance and feasibility.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Backend Architecture Development

Objective: Develop the backend architecture for the website, enabling a user to manage his/her profile effectively.

Tasks:

1. Backend Setup: Establish a robust backend system capable of managing user registrations, logins.
2. Publication Management: Develop functionalities for users to upload, manage, and organize their academic publications on the platform.
3. Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing of the backend for functionality and security, addressing any issues identified.

Frontend Architecture Development

Objective: Develop the frontend architecture of the website.

Tasks:

1. Frontend Setup: Build a responsive and user-friendly frontend system that aligns with backend functionalities.
2. User Experience Design: Ensure the interface is intuitive and facilitates easy navigation and interaction with publication controls.
3. Usability Testing: Perform extensive testing to ensure the frontend is user-friendly and meets academic needs.
4. Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing of the frontend for functionality and security, addressing any issues identified.

Smart Contract Integration and Testing on Cardano Testnets

Objective: Test the entire system on Cardano testnets to ensure the integration of email sign-ups, publication management, and smart contracts works.

Tasks:

1. System Deployment: Deploy the smart contracts on the system.
2. Functionality and Security Testing: Validate the functionality of email sign-ups, publication management, and smart contract executions.
3. Performance Evaluation: Assess system performance, including load testing and response times on Cardano testnets.
4. Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing of the backend and the frontend for functionality and security, addressing any issues identified.

Launch on Cardano Mainnet

Objective: Launch the full system on the Cardano mainnet after ensuring all functionalities work correctly and securely.

Tasks:

1. Mainnet Deployment: Transition the system from testnets to the Cardano mainnet.
2. Final Testing and Validation: Confirm all systems operate smoothly in a live environment, including email-based user management and smart contract functionalities.
3. Public Launch: Officially release the system to the public and monitor initial operations.
4. Testing and Debugging: Conduct thorough testing of the backend and the frontend for functionality and security, addressing any issues identified.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

We have:

• Me - Frontend and Blockchain developer (Özgür Bülent Kılıç | LinkedIn)
• My co-proposer - Backend and Blockchain developer (Buğra Alp Çevikgibi | LinkedIn)

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: 10k ADA

Expected Output:Backend System Implementation: A fully functional backend system capable of managing user registrations and logins.

Milestone 2: 10k ADA

Expected Output: A fully developed and responsive frontend system with a user-friendly interface that allows for easy deployment.

Milestone 3: 10k ADA

Expected Output: Integration of smart contracts and proof of successful deployment of the website on Cardano testnets.

Milestone 4: 10k ADA

Expected Output: Integration of smart contracts and evidence of the live deployment of the website on the Cardano mainnet.

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Cost breakdown:

• Personal Costs: 20k ADA (for the developers of this project)
• Operational Costs: 10k ADA (for cloud infrastructure, web hosting services)
• Marketing Costs: 10k ADA

Our project provides exceptional value for money within the Cardano ecosystem by promoting broader adoption and innovation. By integrating Cardano smart contracts for academic content management, we not only broaden the blockchain's utility but also reduce the operational costs typically associated with academic publishing. This approach removes commission fees and enhances efficiency, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional models. Additionally, the platform encourages greater participation from the academic community, fostering both growth and active engagement within the Cardano ecosystem. By enabling academics to monetize their research directly through ADA, our project supports a sustainable economic model that leverages Cardano’s low-cost infrastructure to deliver long-term benefits to the community. This positions our initiative as a strategic investment that drives technological advancement and community development in the Cardano ecosystem. This cost-effective model could encourage more academics to use Cardano Scholar.