Cardano Research Hub: A Collaborative Platform for Books, Research and Articles on Cardano

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Martreza Eshetu

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

Individual

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

The rest of the Cardano Research Hub Developers team

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

6

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

No

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

We'll create a platform for Cardano with A.I for research, ideas & books, allowing users to post and comment. It will also crawl reputable sites daily for Cardano content offering free, curated access

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

No

[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?

Yes

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

The platform’s codebase, including the AI-powered recommendation engine and content crawling mechanism, will be open-source. This will allow the wider community to contribute and innovate on top of the foundation we build.

[METADATA] Horizons

Research

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our proposed solution is to create an interactive platform that will act as a central hub for posting, sharing, and commenting on research papers, books, and articles related to Cardano.

The platform will have 11 best core functions:

1. Content Posting & Interaction:
2. Users can post research, books, and articles focused on Cardano and blockchain.
3. Interaction will be encouraged through comments, reviews, and feedback, fostering a collaborative environment where the community can engage in meaningful discussions.
4. Automated Crawling for Cardano-Specific Content:
5. An automated crawling mechanism will aggregate Cardano-related books, research, and articles from top platforms such as Google Scholar, IEEE, arXiv, PubMed, JSTOR, university repositories, and other blockchain-specific databases.
6. Daily crawling will ensure that the latest and most relevant Cardano research is always available in one centralized location.
7. AI-Powered Recommendation System:
8. We will integrate an AI-based recommendation engine that personalizes content for each user based on their preferences, reading history, and interactions.
9. The AI will suggest research papers, books, and articles tailored to their needs, maximizing knowledge discovery and learning efficiency.
10. Free and Open Access:
11. All content—both user-generated and aggregated—will remain freely accessible without any paywalls, ensuring inclusivity and community participation at all levels.
12. Open-source contributors will be encouraged to expand platform functionality, keeping it accessible and scalable.
13. User Feedback Mechanism Integration:
14. We'll integrate user satisfaction surveys and feedback mechanisms to assess platform performance, usability, and content quality.
15. Actively using this feedback to improve UI/UX and introduce new features will ensure continuous development and user engagement.

Additional Features to Make the Platform Stand Out:

1. Content Moderation with Voting System:
2. Users will be able to upvote or downvote content based on its relevance and quality, creating a community-driven rating system.
3. Popular or highly-rated articles will be featured on the front page, helping users quickly access the best content.
4. Author/Researcher Profiles & Contributor Badges:
5. A profile system where authors and researchers can build their academic or professional reputation by contributing valuable research to the Cardano community.
6. Contributor badges and recognition systems will encourage more participation from academics and blockchain experts.
7. Blockchain-Backed Proof of Authorship:
8. Users can verify authorship of their content using Cardano’s blockchain, providing a tamper-proof way to authenticate research and publications.
9. Authors will be able to link their work to their Cardano wallets or identities, offering additional transparency and trust.
10. Collaborative Research Spaces:
11. We'll introduce private, invite-only workspaces where researchers can collaborate on papers, share drafts, and receive feedback before publishing to the public.
12. These spaces will help foster real-time collaboration and make the platform a hub for academic and professional cooperation.
13. Multilingual Support & Translation Service:
14. The platform will support multilingual content, helping to bridge global researchers and experts.
15. An integrated translation service (powered by AI) will ensure that Cardano-related content can be accessed in various languages, fostering inclusivity and global outreach.
16. Cardano Wallet Integration for Tipping/Donations:
17. We’ll enable tipping or donation functionality using ADA tokens to allow users to support their favorite researchers and content creators directly on the platform.
18. This could incentivize high-quality content creation and help sustain academic or expert contributors.

By providing a single, user-friendly platform, we aim to increase accessibility and encourage collaboration within the Cardano research community, fostering further innovation in the ecosystem.

Relevant research papers and specifications

Cardano is a third-generation blockchain platform that aims to provide the community with more advanced features than any protocol yet developed. As a proof-of-stake blockchain, it is built with the rigor of high-assurance formal development methods and aims to achieve the scalability, interoperability, and sustainability needed for real-world applications. Cardano is the first platform to evolve out of scientific philosophy based on discovery, peer review, and cryptographic research.

Building a strong foundation in the blockchain industry, Cardano has an ethos of openness and transparency. All the research and technical specifications that underpin Cardano are publicly published and available to the community.

Cardano’s development roadmap is divided into 5 eras that focus on the foundation, decentralization, smart-contract and multi-asset ledger deployment, scalability, and governance of a pioneering blockchain environment. Relevant research papers and specifications according to the Cardano development roadmap are outlined below.

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

The project will provide substantial value to the Cardano community in several ways:

The proposed platform will significantly enhance the Cardano ecosystem in several impactful ways:

1. Centralized Knowledge Hub:
2. By consolidating Cardano-specific research, books, and ideas in one place, our platform will reduce the time and effort users spend searching for reliable content scattered across multiple sources. This ease of access will facilitate a smoother learning and research process for developers, researchers, and enthusiasts.
3. Increased Collaboration and Innovation:
4. By enabling users to post and share their own research, ideas, and articles, the platform will foster a collaborative environment. This will encourage the Cardano community to engage in intellectual exchanges, discussions, and debates, driving innovation and new ideas for blockchain applications within the ecosystem.
5. Access to High-Quality, Up-to-Date Research:
6. The integration of automated crawling from top-tier platforms (such as Google Scholar, IEEE, arXiv, and university repositories) will ensure users have access to the latest and most credible research. This will not only keep the community informed but also provide a foundation for cutting-edge development and academic exploration in Cardano.
7. AI-Powered Personalized Learning:
8. With an AI-based recommendation engine, users will be guided toward relevant research and content tailored to their specific interests and past interactions. This personalization will enhance the user experience, helping individuals stay engaged and informed on topics that matter most to them.
9. Global Reach and Diverse Engagement:
10. The platform is designed to attract users from all over the world—developers, researchers, students, and educators—facilitating cross-discipline collaboration. This global inclusivity will contribute to accelerating the adoption and understanding of Cardano technology in academic institutions and research circles.
11. Advancing Blockchain Research & Education:
12. With the inclusion of a user-friendly interface and access to curated content, the platform will encourage more academic publications, books, and research to focus on Cardano. This will further cement Cardano’s reputation as a leader in blockchain research and drive its adoption in both academic and professional sectors.
13. Enhancing the Cardano Ecosystem’s Credibility:
14. By hosting a platform that curates high-quality, peer-reviewed research and aggregates reputable resources, we will elevate the Cardano ecosystem’s credibility within the global blockchain research community. It will serve as a trusted source of knowledge for current and future blockchain innovators, setting a standard for blockchain education platforms.

[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?

Our capability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability stems from our team's extensive experience in software development, education, and community engagement. With a proven track record of delivering successful projects and initiatives within the blockchain space, we possess the expertise and dedication required to execute this proposal effectively.

Our team has achieved significant milestones in the realm of educational mobile applications, boasting over 100,000 downloads and maintaining an active user base exceeding 60,000. You can explore our flagship app here: link.

Our team is proud to be partnered with MLOps Community, a global organization at the forefront of machine learning, DevOps, and cutting-edge technology. As hosts and organizers of the Addis Ababa chapter, we facilitate Meetups , YouTube videos, newsletters, podcasts, and more, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and networking. With branches in various countries and partnerships with industry leaders like AWS, NVIDIA, Databricks and more, we have demonstrated our capacity to deliver successful events and initiatives, showcasing our commitment to innovation and community engagement.

Delivery Assurance:

Proven Track Record: High Successfully developed and managed diverse applications, showcasing adaptability and proficiency in meeting user needs.

Experience in website and education: Previous projects in the education technology sector demonstrate a nuanced and high understanding of creating effective and engaging learning platforms.

Team Management: Past roles involved managing developers and products, highlighting leadership skills essential for project coordination.

Our Community Include

• Telegram channels : Ethi_BlockChain_Network Group
• Twitter Handle : Ethio BlockChain Network / X
• General Discussion Channel : Code-Night
• Programmer Union: Programmer Union Ethio

Also we are an Official Partner With Microsoft Startup Founder Hub, We receive more than 45 AI related microsoft products with a mix of technical benefits and business resources.

We’re trusted by Microsoft!

Feasibility Validation:

• Prior Success Metrics: Utilize past project success metrics, such as user adoption rates and positive feedback, as benchmarks for this project.
• Pilot Programs: Implement small-scale pilot programs to validate the effectiveness of the educational content, user engagement strategies, and support systems.

Capability Showcase:

• Technical Proficiency: Proven ability to develop user-friendly applications with a focus on accessibility and inclusivity.
• Commitment to Education: Willingness to contribute personal time for project development, emphasizing dedication to the educational goals of these projects.
• Transparent Budgeting: Clearly outline budget allocations for development, content creation, and community engagement to foster trust.
• Regular Reporting: Provide regular, transparent financial reports to the community, showcasing how funds are utilized and the progress achieved.
• Community Oversight: Engage with the Cardano community for feedback, suggestions, and oversight, ensuring a collaborative and accountable approach.

By leveraging past successes, committing personal time, and emphasizing transparency, this project aims to instill trust and accountability in delivering a valuable educational resource for the Cardano community. This positions us as a reliable and accountable entity capable of delivering this project with a high level of trust.

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

Internal Development: Proof of Concept (1 month)

• Develop initial design concepts and functionality.
• Document proof of concept and core functions.
• Acceptance Criteria: Functional demo of the platform’s core features and documentation.

UX/UI Design, Website Initialization, Front End Development (1.5 month)

• Enhance UI/UX design for a seamless user experience.
• Test various design iterations and integrations.
• Develop the frontend
• Acceptance Criteria: Usability tests, finalized design, and integration feedback, frontend dev.

AI Recommendation System, Backend and Content Crawling (1.5 month)

• Implement an AI-powered recommendation system.
• Develop Backend
• Develop a content crawler that scans reputable research sites for Cardano-related content daily.
• Acceptance Criteria: Fully functional AI recommendation system, backend development and live content crawling.

Preview, Testing, and Community Launch (1 month)

• Launch the platform in a preview mode and gather community feedback.
• Conduct user testing to identify bugs and issues.
• Acceptance Criteria: Community feedback report and issue resolution documentation.

Marketing, Audit, and Full Deployment (1 month)

• Implement marketing strategies to raise awareness.
• Conduct security and compliance audits.
• Acceptance Criteria: Successful platform deployment, security audit report, and marketing metrics.

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

Martreza Eshetu(BSs/MSs): Project Manager | Technical Lead | Blockchain Strategist

• Role: Oversees the project's execution, manages resources, and ensures timely delivery.
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA) - Certificate Number 5352426

Roza Kassa - Fullstack developer | Node.js | React | svelte | Next.js | sveltekit | Postgres | Typescript | Docker | 

• Linkedin : Roza’s_linkedin
• Github: Roza’s Github
• Role: Responsible for web development, focusing on Web-development, UI/UX design and implementation. Dawit brings expertise in creating an intuitive and engaging user interface.

Gerawork Aynekulu - Blockchain Developer and DevOps Engineer with more than 4 years of experience

• Github: gerawork github
• Linkedin : Gerawork Linkedin
• Manages technical and non technical aspects of the project.
• Handles the backend development and integration of the platform.
• Proficient in server-side programming languages.
• Experience in database management and API integration.

Ishak Sebsibe - API Developer | Backend Developer | Quality Assurance Engineer

• Linkedin : Ishak’s Linkedin
• Github : Ishak’s GIthub
• Portofoli : Ishak_Portofoli
•  Ensures all aspects of the platform are tested for bugs and usability.

Hilena Abel - Human Resource and Digital Marketing Specialist

• Our team experienced professional adept at content creation, copywriting, and promotion. Hilena will manage HR tasks while leveraging digital marketing strategies to enhance project visibility and engagement.
• Linkedin - Hilena’s Linkedin

 Partners and Groups with existing educational and experienced experts

• Telegram channels : Ethio_BlockChain_Network Group
• Twitter Handle : Ethio BlockChain Network / X
• General Discussion Channel : Code-Night
• Programmer Union: Programmer Union Etho
• MLOps Community: https://mlops.community/

Team Engagement: All listed team members have been engaged and have confirmed their roles and commitment to the project timelines.

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

The project is requesting a total of 80,000 ADA for a six-month period, with the following breakdown:

1. Development (40,000 ADA)

• Backend Development (15,000 ADA)
• Developing the core platform backend to support file uploads, IPFS integration, Cardano blockchain integration, and smart contract functionality.
• Frontend Development (10,000 ADA)
• Building user interfaces for proposal submission, document viewing, and interaction, ensuring it is user-friendly and responsive across devices.
• AI Engine & Content Crawler (5,000 ADA)
• Implementing an AI-powered document parsing engine to classify and structure documents uploaded by proposal creators.
• Blockchain Development (10,000 ADA)
• Smart contract development for storing IPFS CIDs, and secure interaction with the Cardano blockchain for recording proposal data.

2. UI/UX Design (7,000 ADA)

• Design Iterations (4,000 ADA)
• User interface and experience design focused on ease of use for uploading and interacting with proposal documents.
• User Experience Enhancements (3,000 ADA)
• Focused on improving navigation, accessibility features, and overall user journey.

3. Testing & Quality Assurance (5,000 ADA)

• Functionality Testing (2,500 ADA)
• Thorough testing of all platform features, including document uploads, blockchain interactions, and front-end user flows.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) (1,500 ADA)
• Conducting UAT sessions with a small user base to ensure the platform meets user expectations.
• Testing Documentation (1,000 ADA)
• Creating and maintaining detailed testing documentation to ensure the platform works as intended under various conditions.

4. Marketing & Promotion (5,000 ADA)

• Social Media Marketing (2,500 ADA)
• Campaigns on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to raise awareness of the project within the Cardano community and beyond.
• Community Outreach (1,500 ADA)
• Engaging with Cardano-focused forums, groups, and community channels to drive organic interest.
• Meetups & Webinars (1,000 ADA)
• Hosting virtual events to explain how the platform works and to gather user feedback.

5. Server & Hosting with Deployment (AWS) (8,000 ADA)

• Server Hosting (6,000 ADA)
• Covering server costs for deploying and running the platform for six months, including IPFS node hosting and backend services.
• Domain Registration (1,000 ADA)
• Registering and maintaining the domain name for the platform, ensuring a secure and professional presence.
• Deployment Infrastructure (1,000 ADA)
• Setup and configuration of deployment pipelines, ensuring smooth and continuous delivery for platform updates.

6. Documentation & Reports (4,000 ADA)

• Project Documentation (2,500 ADA)
• Comprehensive technical documentation, including architecture overviews, API guides, and developer onboarding materials.
• Progress Reports (1,500 ADA)
• Regular reports on project milestones and achievements to ensure transparency with stakeholders and the Cardano community.

7. Security & Compliance Audit (6,000 ADA)

• Security Audit (3,500 ADA)
• Conducting a thorough security review of the smart contracts, IPFS integration, and document handling processes.
• Compliance Audit (2,500 ADA)
• Ensuring the platform adheres to relevant data protection and regulatory requirements, particularly in relation to user data and decentralized storage.

8. Risk Contingency Fund (5,000 ADA)

• Unforeseen Challenges (3,500 ADA)
• Reserved for unexpected technical hurdles, development delays, or additional security measures that may arise during the project execution.
• Additional Development Needs (1,500 ADA)
• Allocated for additional development resources that may be needed if the scope of work expands.

Total Budget Requested: 80,000 ADA

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

This project provides exceptional value to the Cardano Ecosystem through a cost-effective and strategically allocated budget. The total requested funding of 80,000 ADA will enable the development and maintenance of an advanced, user-friendly platform that delivers significant long-term benefits to the community:

Centralized Access to Research and Ideas:

• By consolidating Cardano-related research, books, and articles in one platform, we reduce the need for users to spend countless hours navigating through various websites. This efficiency creates a higher return on investment for the ecosystem by increasing productivity and knowledge-sharing within the community.

AI-Driven Recommendations:

• The integration of AI-powered recommendation systems will provide personalized user experiences, enabling researchers, developers, and community members to easily access the most relevant content. This feature increases user engagement and knowledge retention, leading to better decision-making and fostering further innovation in the Cardano space.

High Impact with a Modest Budget:

• Despite a relatively modest budget of 80,000 ADA, the project is designed to be highly impactful. Each ADA invested in this project will directly contribute to:
• Platform development (front-end, back-end, AI integration, and security),
• Server and infrastructure setup,
• Best UX/UI Design to enhance user experience,
• Marketing and outreach efforts to raise awareness and boost platform usage.

Cost Efficiency in Global Context:

• The cost breakdown is proportional to industry standards for web development, cloud hosting, and AI implementation. We have structured the budget to optimize resources, including developers, designers, testers, and marketing experts, ensuring high-quality delivery at an efficient cost.
• By leveraging global freelance rates, we have ensured that development costs remain within reasonable bounds while maintaining high levels of trust and accountability.

Long-Term ROI for the Cardano Ecosystem:

• In terms of community engagement, this platform is expected to attract a global audience of researchers, students, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts. With increased visibility, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, the platform will foster a vibrant and growing research community focused on Cardano.
• The scalable design of the platform ensures that it can continue to grow, accommodating more users, content, and features without requiring excessive ongoing costs, making it a sustainable long-term investment.

Free Access to Knowledge:

• The platform’s open-access model provides free availability of research and educational resources, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent users from gaining knowledge. This ensures wider adoption and fosters an inclusive environment, aligning with the ethos of the Cardano ecosystem.

Marketing and Awareness:

• A portion of the budget is allocated to marketing and community outreach, ensuring that the platform gains visibility and traction within the Cardano community and beyond. This will lead to an increase in platform users, higher engagement, and ultimately, greater adoption of Cardano-based research and technology.

NOTE. The cost and budget allocation was determined based on research and documentation conducted by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and Université du Québec, Montréal. The research paper, which can be found here at https://arc.dev/salaries/web-developers