👨‍💻 👩‍🔬 Cardano-Specific Fellowship for Scientists and Developers

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dr Bharat Harbham

[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

Erin Magennis

[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)

A six-month structured programme bringing together scientists and Cardano developers.

We provide teaching and support to the group to incubate a project on Cardano.

[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.”

N/A

[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

All code and materials will be made public

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

TL;DR

• MuseMatrix is a Decentralized Research Institute applying Web3 tools in science.
• We are currently running a Fellowship of scientists/developers through an Ethereum-funded grant.
• We propose to run a specific cohort of scientists/Cardano developers through our six-month programme.
• We aim to develop tangible DeSci projects on the Cardano Blockchain.

MuseMatrix is a Decentralised Research Institute focused on applying web3 tooling in science. It is currently running a Fellowship that groups scientists, Web3 developers, AI, and zK researchers together for a six-month programme. This program includes two months of peer-to-peer learning and four months of project incubation. Cross-pollinating different groups that normally don't overlap is a core part of the Fellowship. The current Cohort is funded by grants from the Ethereum ecosystem.

MuseMatrix has an emphasis on cross-chain and chain-agnostic tooling, and we propose the following: 

• Curriculum Integration: MuseMatrix will include Cardano in the blockchain curriculum for all Fellows

• Cardano-Specific Cohort: MuseMatrix will run a Cardano-specific cohort for the Fellowship consisting of 10 scientists/cardano developers in a six-month programme culminating in a demo day. 

• Project Bounties: Offer bounties for fellows who choose to develop their DeSci projects on Cardano.

• Expert Engagement: Invite Cardano developers, thought leaders and academics to conduct workshops or speak at events.

The fellowship will be structured around peer-to-peer learning, mentorship, workshops, and weekly check-ins. It will culminate in a demo day, during which participants will showcase their projects to the community.

The Ethereum and Cardano cohorts will have plenty of opportunities to interact with each other as we welcome cross-pollination of skills, ideas, and ecosystems!

This project will engage Cardano developers, scientists, the Cardano community, and the broader blockchain Community. The impact will be demonstrated by successfully running the Fellowship and producing tangible products/scientific research articles. The project is unique as it would directly fund the creation of a Cardano cohort in a Decentralised Science Fellowship. Our approach of mixing different skills/ecosystems with a focus on cross-chain and chain-agnostic tools is also unique.

Objectives

• Drive the development of tangible DeSci projects on Cardano.
• Enhance participants' skills in blockchain technology and expose them to Cardano's smart contract languages and tools.
• Upskill Cardano developers in DeSci opportunities so they can continue building useful Cardano DeSci projects in the future
• Foster a collaborative and supportive community of scientists and developers within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Long-term Impact: Establish a sustainable pipeline of innovative scientific projects that continue to grow and evolve on Cardano.

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

Community Engagement

By training a cohort of scientists and developers in Cardano's technology, the program expands the community of users capable of contributing high-quality projects to the Cardano ecosystem.

• Measurement: Track the number of participants, their subsequent involvement in the Cardano community, and the projects they develop.
• Sharing Outputs: Regular updates and success stories will be shared through Cardano’s community channels, social media, and dedicated webinars.

Innovation and Adoption

The development of new scientific applications on Cardano will demonstrate the blockchain's versatility and attract further interest from both the scientific and developer communities.

• Measurement: Monitor the number and quality of applications developed and feedback from the scientific and developer communities.
• Sharing Outputs: Publish detailed case studies, and project showcases on Cardano forums, blogs, and community events.

Visibility and Credibility

As participants share their projects within and beyond the Cardano community, Cardano's visibility and credibility as a platform for scientific innovation will increase.

• Measurement: Assess media coverage, mentions in scientific publications, and references in blockchain-related content.
• Sharing Outputs: Disseminate achievements through press releases, academic journals, and blockchain conferences.

Probability of Success

Having Fellows collaborate on one/two major projects rather than many smaller ones increases the likelihood of successful execution.

• Measurement: Evaluate project milestones, completion rates, and overall impact on the Cardano ecosystem.
• Sharing Outputs: Report progress and outcomes through detailed updates on project platforms and community meetings.

[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?

Answer:

We already have a cohort of scientists/developers running through a Fellowship funded by grants from the Ethereum ecosystem. Adding a Cardano-specific group would be feasible and within our capacity. This de-risks this proposal as the idea has already been somewhat validated, someone is already working on it, and there is some evidence that they can be trusted with grant funding.

We have the structure and educational content in place, so we are well-poised to deliver on this project. We can also apply what we learn from our current cohort to the Cardano cohort, ensuring its success.

For Context:

• Bharat and Erin are co-founders of MuseMatrix. They each have 2+ years of experience in DeSci.
• Bharat is a medical doctor with experience in academia, product development and web3.
• Bharat is the founder of DeSci London, the largest IRL DeSci community. They organise workshops, meetups, hackathons, and conferences. Cardano had a presence at their recent conference.
• Erin is a neuroscientist with experience in marketing, tech startups and web3
• Erin helped launch 18 science-tech ecosystems, led the DeSci Research Landscape Analysis, and is core team at the largest blockchain ecosystem in the Midwest (conference, monthly workshops, & hackathons)

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

Milestone 1: Recruitment, Partnership Development, and Onboarding (Month 1)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Market the program to scientists and developers through targeted outreach campaigns.
• Select and onboard 10-20 scientists and Cardano developers for the cohort.
• Host an orientation session introducing Cardano technology, setting expectations, and discussing project possibilities.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successfully recruit 10-20 participants, with signed agreements confirming their commitment.
• Conduct an orientation session with full participation from the cohort, providing an overview of the Cardano ecosystem and the fellowship goals.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• List of 10-20 confirmed participants with signed agreements.
• Documentation of partnership agreements or collaborations with Cardano ecosystem stakeholders.
• Attendance records and materials (slides, videos) from the orientation session.

Milestone 2: Intensive Training and Project Planning (Months 2-3)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Conduct a series of workshops focusing on Cardano development tools (Plutus, Marlowe, etc.) and DeSci problem-solving methodologies.
• Facilitate project ideation sessions where participants finalize their project proposals.
• Participants form teams around specific Cardano-based DeSci projects.
• Provide mentorship to guide participants in designing useful projects that align with the Cardano ecosystem's needs.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• At least 4 workshops completed, with active participation from all cohort members.
• Each participant submits a final project proposal, with teams formed around 3-5 Cardano-based DeSci projects.
• Mentors assigned to teams for ongoing support during the project development phase.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Workshop attendance records and materials (recordings, slides, etc.).
• Copies of final project proposals from each team.
• Confirmation of team formation and assignment of mentors for ongoing project development.

Milestone 3: Project Development and Mid-Point Review (Months 4-6)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Teams work on developing their projects with regular mentorship and check-ins.
• Mid-point review conducted to assess progress, provide feedback, and make adjustments if needed.
• Continuous collaboration with the Cardano community to ensure project relevance and integration with the ecosystem.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Each team submits a mid-point progress report detailing the development of their projects.
• Mid-point review session conducted, with feedback provided to each team.
• At least 3 Cardano-based DeSci projects progressing toward their completion.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Mid-point progress reports submitted by each team.
• Feedback and assessment notes from the mid-point review session.
• Documentation of ongoing collaborations with Cardano community stakeholders.

Milestone 4: Demo Day and Final Evaluation (Month 7)

A: Milestone Outputs

• Host a Demo Day where participants present their completed projects to a panel of Cardano experts, potential investors, and the wider community.
• Collect feedback on each project’s feasibility, innovation, and potential impact.
• Prepare a final evaluation report summarizing the outcomes of the fellowship and suggesting improvements for future cohorts.

B: Acceptance Criteria

• Successful completion of Demo Day, with presentations from all teams.
• Feedback collected from the panel of experts and investors on each project.
• Final evaluation report prepared and shared with participants, stakeholders, and the Cardano community.

C: Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Demo Day agenda, recordings of project presentations, and feedback from the expert panel.
• Final evaluation report published and distributed to relevant parties (Cardano community, stakeholders, etc.).
• Post-Demo Day participant surveys to gauge program success and areas for improvement.
• Link to the final document on the Catalyst platform.  
• Summary video available to the Catalyst community.

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

Bharat: LinkedIn, Twitter

Erin: LinkedIn, Twitter

MuseMatix already has an organisational structure in place to deliver the Fellowship, though it would need to recruit a Cardano Technical Lead and a few mentors. We anticipate this will not be difficult due to some positive discussions we've had with members of the Cardano Community!

Please see [CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] for more info on the team.

We have a range of proposals focused on DeSci within the Cardano ecosystem, which we have linked to this proposal.

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

Below is an approximation of our costs which we estimate to be around $45 to 50K:

1. Personnel and Instructors: $10,000 - Salaries for instructors specialising in Cardano technologies and project mentors.
2. Programme Operational Costs: $8000
3. Technology and Tools: $1,000 - Software, APIs, and online tools for development on the Cardano platform.
4. Marketing and Recruitment: $3,000 - Promotions to attract the right talent and collaborations with Cardano communities.
5. Fellow Stipends: $20,000 - Bounties and stipends for fellows focusing on Cardano projects.
6. Travel and Accommodations: $6,000 - For guest speakers, key mentors and possibly Fellows.
7. Misc/Contintengy - $2000
8. Total: $50,000

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

• The program directly invests in building capabilities within the Cardano ecosystem, promising long-term benefits as projects developed may lead to sustainable innovations. The fellowship aims to generate ongoing value for the Cardano ecosystem, making the initial investment worthwhile.

• Skill Development: This program enhances participants' technical skills, increasing the pool of developers and scientists proficient in Cardano’s technologies.

• Community Building: Strengthens the global Cardano community by fostering new connections and collaborations between scientists and developers.

• High Impact and Efficiency: Our fellowship program's structured approach ensures that resources are used efficiently to produce high-impact results. Combining skill development, community building, and direct project support creates a comprehensive value proposition for the Cardano ecosystem.

• Long-Term Benefits: The projects and collaborations initiated through this program are expected to grow and evolve, providing ongoing benefits and advancements for Cardano.