Cardano for DeSci: Fostering Innovation and Collaboration in LATAM

[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)

Through educational initiatives and community-building efforts, the goal is to build a solid network of LATAM scientists that can educate and promote Cardano usage on DeSci. 

[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

This is not a software project, nevertheless all information regarding events organization and all dissemination articles will be open sourced under creative common licenses. Furthermore the community will be open to anyone interested in joining.

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

• How do you perceive the problem you are solving

We identify the problem as multifaceted: firstly, there exists a significant lack of awareness and understanding of Cardano's blockchain technology within the life sciences community in LATAM. Secondly, there is a notable absence of dedicated initiatives aimed at bridging this knowledge gap and fostering engagement within this specific domain. Thirdly, even those scientists who are already aware of Cardano’s potential for decentralized science (DeSci) remain scattered and are not effectively interconnected. All of this hampers the potential for leveraging blockchain technology to revolutionize scientific research and collaboration, within the life sciences sector in LATAM.

• What are your reasons for approaching it in the way that you have

We are approaching this issue through a multifaceted and non-technical approach that combines awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and community development efforts. This approach is chosen to address the root causes of the problem comprehensively. By raising awareness, providing educational resources, and fostering a dedicated community, we aim to empower scientists, researchers, and students within the life sciences to understand and leverage the potential of Cardano technology effectively on their own needs.

• Who will your project engage

Our project will engage various stakeholders within the life sciences community in LATAM, including researchers, scientists, academics, students, and institutions. By targeting this diverse audience, we aim to create a vibrant and inclusive community that fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation.

• How will you demonstrate or prove your impact

We will measure the impact of our project through various metrics, including the increase in awareness and understanding of Cardano technology within the life sciences community, the growth of our community membership, engagement levels in educational activities and discussions, number of people participating in the events, and the implementation of Cardano technology in the broad scientific environment. Additionally, feedback surveys and testimonials from participants will provide qualitative insights into the project's effectiveness.

• Explain what is unique about your solution, who will benefit, and why this is important to Cardano

What sets our solution apart is its focus on a specific niche - the intersection of blockchain technology and the life sciences. By tailoring our efforts to this niche audience, we can provide targeted and impactful educational resources and community-building initiatives. The beneficiaries of our project include scientists, researchers, students, and institutions within the life sciences sector who stand to benefit from enhanced awareness, understanding, and utilization of Cardano technology. Importantly, this initiative is crucial to Cardano as it expands its reach into new domains and demonstrates its potential for real-world applications beyond finance and decentralized applications. By fostering adoption and innovation within the life sciences, our project contributes to Cardano's broader vision of creating a decentralized science and inclusive ecosystem for global change. 

An outstanding feature of this project is its leadership by women researchers with vast experience in the scientific domain throughout Latin America. Their expertise spans various domains including research, education, and management. Notably, they have been actively involved in biotechnology companies. One such example is BIOTALIFE, demonstrating their proficiency in both academic and industrial spheres, as well as their commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. Biotalife Skin submitted its proposal in Fund 11 to enhance the protection and transparency of biomedical data by improving the accuracy and traceability of several key components. The company is currently developing a solution on the Cardano blockchain to securely and transparently manage patient information. Biotalife serves as a tangible example that Cardano can effectively be applied in life sciences, demonstrating the potential for DeSci initiatives in LATAM.

Our strong connections with universities and scientists have already resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UADE, one of Argentina's most prominent private universities. You can find more details in this document.

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

1) In what way will the success of your project bring value to the Cardano Community? 

The success of our project will bring value to the Cardano community in several ways. Firstly, by fostering awareness and understanding of blockchain technology's applications in the life sciences sector, we contribute to expanding Cardano's user base beyond its traditional domains. This diversification strengthens Cardano's ecosystem and positions it as a versatile platform with real-world utility. Secondly, by building a dedicated community of professionals and students within the life sciences, we create opportunities for collaboration and innovation that can extend beyond our project's scope. This collaborative network enhances Cardano's reputation as a technology that supports interdisciplinary partnerships and fosters creative solutions to complex challenges. Promote the adoption of Cardano among the Biotech ecosystem.

2) How will you measure this impact? 

The impact of our project will be measured through both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitatively, we will track indicators such as the growth of our community (e.g., number of members, engagement levels), reach of educational materials (e.g., views, shares), and attendance at events. Qualitatively, we will gather feedback from participants to assess their knowledge acquisition, perception of Cardano's relevance to their work, and intentions for future engagement. Additionally, we will monitor any tangible outcomes resulting from community collaborations, such as research projects, partnerships, or initiatives that leverage Cardano technology. We will track the increase in membership and activity levels within life science Cardano community groups and forums pre- and post-events. Surveys will be conducted to assess changes in community engagement and satisfaction.

We will track the number of new collaborations and projects initiated during or as a result of the events. Participant feedback will be collected to gauge the effectiveness of networking opportunities.

We will follow up with participating companies to record instances of Cardano adoption or integration post-event. Attendance by corporate representatives will also be a key metric.

3) How will you share the outputs and opportunities that result from your project?

We will share the outputs and opportunities that result from our project through various channels within the Cardano community and beyond. This includes publishing reports and case studies detailing our project's impact and lessons learned, presenting findings at relevant conferences and events, and disseminating educational materials through online platforms and social media channels. Additionally, we will actively engage with Cardano community forums, such as Reddit and Discord, to share updates, solicit feedback, and facilitate discussions. By transparently sharing our outputs and opportunities, we aim to inspire and empower others within the Cardano community to initiate similar initiatives or collaborate with us on future endeavors.

[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?

PhD. Vivian Labovsky, co-founder and CEO of Biotalife Skin (has a skilled cross-functional team to carry out the project with high levels of trust and accountability) and a IBYME-CONICET researcher, brings over 25 years of experience in health research with a focus on the human microbiome, healthcare and technological solutions.

Biotalife Skin presented its proposal in Fund 11 (Optimize the protection and transparency of biomedical data by enhancing the accuracy and traceability of: 1) Informed consent, 2) Patient data, 3) Raw microbiome data results, and 4) Microbiome report) and is developing a solution on the Cardano blockchain to securely and audibly manage patient information. Biotalife is a real example that DeSci can be done in LATAM and has a multidisciplinary team capable of taking forward this expansion of the scientific community in Cardano. Part of the committed team are PhD. Elmer Fernandez and Ing. Daniela Orschanski, are experts in data analysis and predictive modeling. We maintain elevated levels of integrity throughout all phases, assuring the trust of all stakeholders.

Vivian is also an active member of the Latam Cardano Community, and very well connected with technical and non-technical Cardano ecosystem, such as Txpipe team and Latam Cardano Community admin team. This networking will be crucial in engaging valuable speakers and content creators for this proposal.

Pamela Valva is a member of the Research Career Program in the National Research Council (CONICET) working at IMIPP. She has been a researcher for more than 20 years in life sciences, particularly in human health, and has a deep knowledge of the scientific landscape of the region. Pamela is member of the board at the Argentine Society of Virology for 7 years now, where she has actively engaged in organizing scientific meetings, congresses and workshops making her a very proficient person for organizing and bringing together scientists, students and stakeholders in Latam. Her participation in this society as well asn in the Argentine Group of Extracellular Vesicles - underlines her dedication to fostering collaboration and advancing scientific knowledge. In addition, as an educator at the University of Buenos Aires, one of the world's top universities in education and science, for more than 20 years, Pamela plays a vital role in potential partnerships and collaborations with this institution. 

Andrea Larangeira has a degree in Genetics, a specialization in Pharmaceutical Marketing and an MBA. She is currently part of the entrepreneurial biotechnology ecosystem in Argentina, bridging the gap between science and business. Andrea has >10 years of experience combining academic scientific research, NGO volunteering, education and teaching, pharmaceutical industry and public sector. She has implemented and led the implementation and development of community projects in both scientific and other sectors, planning and execution of events focused on awareness and education.

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

Milestone 1: Roadmap of events and materials. Digital infrastructure setup

Output: A schedule of events and the details on the dissemination materials and articles we will perform throughout the project and also the setting up of social media accounts and digital infrastructure to support our general goal

Acceptance criteria: the completeness of the report where a detailed description of how the operational phase of the project is going to take place and which digital and communicational tools are going to be used.

Evidence of milestone completion: A comprehensive report outlining the goals set in the output for this milestone and the links to the social media created for communication.

Milestone 2: Content generation for education and awareness campaign for DeSci.

Output: Educational resources such as articles and videos will be created to elucidate the principles and applications of DeSci. In addition, we will create an online platform or resource center for community members to access and interact with educational content on DeSci. 

Acceptance Criteria:

• A predetermined number of articles and videos are published on the online platform (such as google site), addressing various aspects of blockchain technology relevant to the life sciences sector.
• Metrics such as views, engagement rates, and user feedback are tracked to evaluate the effectiveness of the content in educating and engaging the community.

Evidence of milestone completion: A report that outlines the content generated during this milestone and the online platform or resource center.

Milestone 3: Execution of campaigns in the Life-science ecosystem 

Output: Execute two in-person events aimed for individuals interested in blockchain technology and its applications in the life sciences sector.

We have the commitment of a prestigious university in Argentina, UADE (Universidad Argentina de la Empresa) to carry out 1 of the events and promote Cardano.

Ensure the participation of local and international speakers in the events, promoting the representation from academia, industry, and the blockchain community. Host the events through the main educational and research institutions.

Acceptance criteria: Audiovisual material, photographs and survey results presented in a proper quali-quantitative manner, for both successfully performed events in social media and ad-hoc platform.

High attendance and active participation from the community at the events, including scientists, researchers, students, industry professionals, and blockchain enthusiasts.

Positive feedback and testimonials from attendees and speakers regarding the quality, relevance, and strategic significance of the events in fostering knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation within the life sciences and blockchain communities in Argentina and across LATAM.

 Evidence of MS completion: All the content will be made available through the platform and communicated through the different communication channels available. A report with quali-quantitave data on the events will be presented as well. 

Delivery of Final Project Report 

outputs: Provide catalyst community with comprehensive information on how the outputs set on the proposal were performed in a succesful way

Acceptance criteria: The final video and report outline the execution of the events, the dissemination articles, and the creation of a network of scientists and students willing to dive deep in the use of Cardano on Scientific projects as set on the roadmap established on the first milestone

Evidence of milestone completion: a comprehensive final report outlining the achievements of the goals set for this project and a closing video showcasing to the Cardano community the success of this proposal.

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

Our team is perfectly qualified to successfully carry out this project. It is led by researchers with extensive experience in the scientific field in Latin America, and furthermore, with experience in education, management, creation of biotechnology companies such as BIOTALFE and promotion of scientific knowledge. We are fully equipped and prepared to successfully accomplish the objectives of this project.. 

Project manager- Vivian Labovsky 

Product owner: Pamela Valva

Hub operations: Andrea Larangeira

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

• Team of Science Professionals for Community Building:

6 months of specialized community management and social media content creation: 

Total: 20000 ADA

• Content Creation for Education (written articles and videos):

Total: $20000 ADA

• Organization of In-Person Events:

Venue rental fees for two events, Travel and accommodation expenses for speakers, Catering and refreshments for attendees, Marketing and promotional materials; Total: 30000 ADA

Design and printing of promotional materials, Advertising costs for online and offline channels,; Total: 15000 ADA

• Project Management:

6 months project management and , Administrative costs (e.g., communication tools, project management software); Total: 15000 ADA

Total Project Budget: 100000 ADA

Executive summary:

Milestone 1: 20,000 ADA 

Milestone 2: 20,000 ADA

Milestone 3: 45,000 ADA 

Milestone 4: 15,000 ADA 

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

The costs outlined in the project budget represent a significant investment in building awareness, education, and community engagement within the life sciences sector for the Cardano ecosystem. The costs are justified by the expertise and resources required to effectively execute each aspect of the project. Moreover, The cost of the project is a strategic investment for Cardano's expansion and utility beyond financial transactions.

For instance, the expenses associated with hiring science professionals for community building reflect the need for individuals with specialized knowledge and experience in outreach activities to engage effectively with the target audience. Similarly, compensation for content creators with expertise in blockchain applied to science ensures the production of high-quality educational materials that are both informative and accessible.

The costs related to organizing in-person events, including venue rental, travel, and catering, are essential for facilitating meaningful interactions and knowledge exchange among stakeholders. Additionally, marketing and promotional expenses are necessary to reach a wide audience and maximize the impact of the project within the Cardano ecosystem.

In determining the costs of the project, we have taken into account industry standards for freelance rates, as well as the average wage in our country. Furthermore, we have conducted thorough research to ensure that our budget allocations are proportionate to the value they will deliver in terms of increasing awareness, fostering education, and driving community engagement within the life sciences sector for the benefit of the Cardano ecosystem.

Overall, the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem by strategically investing in initiatives that have the potential to catalyze innovation, collaboration, and adoption of blockchain technology in a key industry vertical. The long-term benefits of building a knowledgeable and engaged community within the life sciences sector far outweigh the initial costs incurred, positioning Cardano as a leader in blockchain innovation with real-world applications.

 This initiative not only expands Cardano's adoption in the region but also contributes to the growth of the Cardano community. Additionally, the implementation boosts internal efficiency and enhances trust in the application of blockchain technology in scientific and medical fields. In this sense, the project cost embodies not only an investment in infrastructure but also a strategic boost for the expansion and growth of Cardano in the Latin American ecosystem and beyond focusing on the scientific community which is very eager for innovation which improve cost efficiency, in particular in Latam.