The GMC has concluded discussions and scoring for the Round 20 (December 7 - January 7) Grants/Bounties/RA Award Round.
This post also begins the fourteen-day clock during which, according to RPIP-15, “[a]nyone MAY file an RPIP disputing a grant, bounty, or retrospective award within two weeks of the announcement of recipients. Such an RPIP SHALL be subject to a snapshot vote.” Any awards not subject to such a challenge will become official on February 9, 2025 at 23:59 UTC.
General Updates
Target Members Hours Updated To 15
GMC has decided to adjust the target members hours from 13 to 15. Adjusting the monthly target member hours to 15 updates the compensation and expectation to better reflect the current output. View forum post here.
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Cyfrin DeFi Course Being Reviewed
The GMC is reviewing the first course developed by Cyfrin. The course is likely to launch in the next few weeks.
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GMC Selecting A STAR Overseer
The GMC is reviewing three applicants for the STAR Overseer position. They will be posting the result shortly. Learn more here.
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GMC Member Compensation System
With a growing workload and an upcoming budget increase, a more efficient system is needed to ensure fair compensation for members’ contributions. The committee is currently reviewing the draft of a new system for compensating members.
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rETH Incubator
The GMC is seeking help converting some of the high quality rETH Incubator submissions into actionable items. You can review the status board here.
Current GMC Roster
- Ken
- Waq
- LFO
- Dr Doofus
- Destroyaaa
- Steely
- Kevster.eth
- sckuzzle
- LenofTawa
Application Breakdown
- Total Grant Applications: 4
- Total Bounty Applications: 2
- Total Retro Applications: 3
- Total Applications Transferred From Last Round: 1
- Total Amount Grants Requested: $121,470
- Total Amount Bounties Requested: $11,000
- Total Amount Retros Requested: $6,600
- Total Amount Grants / Bounties / Retros Requested: $302,970
- Total Amount Incoming Funds This Period: $46,000
- Total Amount Reserves: $557,000
USD values calculated at the time GMC began deliberating on applications.
Awards, Average Overall Scores
| Number | Applicant | Title | Decision | Amount (USD) | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GA182405 | Sleety | Token Motion Design Subscription | Approve | $16,783.20 | 3 |
| GA202502 | Ken | Community Call Hosting | Approve | $3,600.00 | 3.63 |
| GA202504 | Waq | Rocket Fuel | Approve | $40,000.00 | 4.14 |
| RA202503 | Ken | Additional Community Calls | Approve | $1,200.00 | 4 |
| GA202503 | Patches (ETHStaker) | Rescue Node | Approve | $3,900.00 | 4.67 |
| BA202501 | Patches | Just Exit My Validators | Approve | $6,000.00 | 4.17 |
| RA202502 | ShfRyn | MC Gas Reimbursement | Approve | $2,500 - $4,000 | 4.5 |
| BA202502 | ramana | Fee Switch Preview Calculator | Approve | $5,000.00 | 4 |
| RA202501 | calurduran | Clear Queue Gas Reimbursement | Approve | $1,200 - $1,600 | 3 |
| GA202501 | LocalAgent | LocalAgent | Decline | $44,000.00 |
Detailed Award Results
Name: Token Motion Design Subscription
Proposer: Sleety
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: All
Link to Application: Round 18 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is November 7 - #7 by sleety
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $29,970
Awarded Funding: $16,783.20
Score: 3
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the Token Motion Design Subscription at 56% of the original budget, allocating 7 hours per week over six months.
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Recognizing the Need for Adaptability:
While concerns remain about the absence of a structured plan or clear deliverables, the reduced scope offers a flexible and low-risk starting point to address immediate and evolving community needs. -
Balancing Cost and Value:
This decision reflects current treasury constraints and prioritizes a community-driven approach over hiring external contractors. By involving a trusted community member, the proposal supports initiatives like STAR and rETH marketing while allowing room for adjustment based on demonstrated demand and outcomes. -
Encouraging Proactive Planning:
The GMC encourages preparatory work to commence immediately, aligning the subscription’s official start date with the STAR initiative’s launch. This ensures readiness to deliver impactful assets as soon as key initiatives take off, mitigating concerns about idle time. -
Commitment to Evolution:
The approval comes with the understanding that funding and scope may evolve as demand and effectiveness are assessed. If successful, the subscription may expand, ensuring it continues to align with Rocket Pool’s ecosystem goals and community priorities.
This funding decision reflects the GMC’s dedication to balancing fiscal responsibility with strategic growth opportunities for Rocket Pool.
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Name: Community Call Hosting
Proposer: Ken
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: All
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #3 by ken
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $3,600
Awarded Funding: $3,600
Score: 3.63
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the Community Call Hosting application, supporting its role in fostering community engagement and providing consistent team updates.
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Recognizing the Need for Enhanced Engagement:
While the calls offer valuable updates and a platform for outreach, they can be improved to better engage the community and encourage more interaction with the team. Adjustments to the format are encouraged to achieve these goals. -
Encouraging Innovation:
The GMC recommends exploring new formats, such as Twitter Spaces, and incorporating interactive elements like listener Q&A sessions. Additionally, aligning content with community interests, such as updates on using rETH in DeFi tools, can further enhance the value of these calls. -
Commitment to Progress:
Ken is encouraged to implement these changes during the funding period to maximize the effectiveness of the calls. The GMC will review the results and provide additional feedback to ensure continuous improvement.
This funding decision reflects the GMC’s commitment to maintaining open communication and fostering stronger connections within the Rocket Pool community.
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Name: Rocket Fuel
Proposer: Waq
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: All
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #5 by waqwaqattack
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $40,000+
Awarded Funding: $40,000
Score: 4.14
Comments: The GMC approves funding for Rocket Fuel, recognizing its value in consolidating and presenting critical Rocket Pool and Ethereum updates in a concise, accessible format.
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Recognizing Its Community Impact:
Rocket Fuel has proven to be an essential resource, helping to maintain and grow the Rocket Pool community by providing updates that save members from navigating extensive and often low-value chatter. Its role in outreach and inreach is both impactful and appreciated by the community. -
Encouraging Optimization:
While the daily frequency ensures timely updates, the GMC encourages exploring alternative schedules or other methods to balance content volume with cost efficiency. Adjusting aspects like the monthly raffle or show frequency could enhance sustainability while maintaining engagement. -
Commitment to Growth:
The GMC values Rocket Fuel as a key communication tool and encourages continued efforts to improve quality and reach. Aligning the show’s content with community needs and exploring ways to enhance production value will ensure it continues to be a mutually beneficial asset to Rocket Pool.
This approval underscores the GMC’s dedication to supporting high-impact initiatives that strengthen community ties and foster Rocket Pool’s ecosystem growth.
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Name: Additional Community Calls
Proposer: Ken
Type: Retro
Subcommittee: All
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Retrospective Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #4 by ken
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $1,200
Awarded Funding: $1,200
Score: 4
Comments: The GMC approves funding for additional community calls, acknowledging their role in fostering communication and collaboration within the Rocket Pool community.
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Recognizing Their Value:
While opinions on the overall impact vary, the calls have been recognized as valuable by many members for maintaining engagement and providing outreach opportunities. They offer a consistent platform for community updates and interaction at a relatively low cost. -
Encouraging Alignment with Feedback:
The GMC encourages using this funding period to gather feedback and refine the format for future calls. Ensuring alignment with the broader community’s needs and priorities will enhance their effectiveness and value. -
Commitment to Ongoing Communication:
These additional sessions are an extension of Rocket Pool’s broader communication efforts, and their approval reflects the GMC’s dedication to supporting initiatives that strengthen community engagement and cohesion.
This funding decision emphasizes the importance of maintaining open communication channels and adapting them to best serve the Rocket Pool ecosystem.
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Name: Rescue Node Renewal
Proposer: Patches (ETHStaker)
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Dev
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #4 by Patches
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $3,900
Awarded Funding: $3,900
Score: 4.67
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the Rescue Node, recognizing its critical role in supporting the Rocket Pool network and enhancing node operator performance.
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Recognizing Its Ongoing Value:
While its importance was particularly pronounced during earlier periods of unstable clients, the Rescue Node remains vital, especially around network upgrades. With upcoming changes like Pectra, this service can mitigate potential disruptions and benefit node operators. -
Supporting Protocol Performance:
The Rescue Node directly contributes to rETH performance by reducing operational burdens for node operators and maintaining the network’s efficiency. Its continued operation helps optimize rETH APR, providing tangible value to the ecosystem. -
Minimal Risk, High Value:
The requested increased funding covers server rental costs, with all support and upkeep currently provided pro bono by the team. This makes it a low-risk, high-value investment for the protocol, with flexibility to adjust funding in future periods as needed.
This approval reflects the GMC’s commitment to supporting essential infrastructure that underpins Rocket Pool’s reliability and growth.
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Name: Just Exit My Validators
Proposer: Patches
Type: Bounty
Subcommittee: Dev
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Bounty Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #5 by Patches
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $6,000
Awarded Funding: $6,000
Score: 4.17
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the ‘Just Exit My Validators’ tool, recognizing its potential to address common concerns among Node Operators at an excellent price point.
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Recognizing Its Value:
This tool directly addresses a significant pain point for potential and current Node Operators by simplifying validator exits. By resolving these fears affordably, it offers substantial value to the Rocket Pool ecosystem. -
Emphasizing Security and Delivery:
While the cost is highly reasonable for the development effort, it is critical to address any security concerns to ensure the tool does not lead to a loss of funds. The GMC recommends considering a phased grant delivery, focusing first on a detailed design phase before full implementation, to ensure robust and secure execution. -
Providing Interim Support:
Although it serves as a stopgap measure until Saturn 2’s eventual release, the tool meets a recurring community need, as highlighted in #support discussions. Its development aligns with Rocket Pool’s broader goal of improving the Node Operator experience.
This funding reflects the GMC’s support for practical and timely tools that enhance the usability and confidence of the Rocket Pool ecosystem.
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Name: MC Gas Reimbursement
Proposer: ShfRyn
Type: Retro
Subcommittee: Research
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Retrospective Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #3 by ShfRyn
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $2,500 - $4,000
Awarded Funding: $2,500 - $4,000
Score: 4.5
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the MC gas reimbursement, recognizing it as an essential operational expense.
This funding ensures that the management committees can cover transaction costs, a necessary function for maintaining operations. Without this reimbursement, the management committee’s ability to function effectively would be compromised.
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Name: Fee Switch Preview Calculator
Proposer: ramana
Type: Bounty
Subcommittee: Marketing
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Bounty Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #6 by ramana
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $5,000
Awarded Funding: $5,000
Score: 4
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the Fee Switch Preview Calculator bounty, recognizing its potential to inspire and educate the community while helping them explore the implications of protocol economics.
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Recognizing Its Value:
These calculators are highly appreciated by the community, offering an engaging way to explore potential scenarios and understand the impact of different economic decisions. They spark curiosity and hope, which are invaluable for driving community interest and engagement. -
Balancing Cost and Impact:
While the tool is considered a “nice to have,” its cost is higher than typical for such initiatives. The GMC recommends exploring ways to optimize the scope or cost, such as integrating educational content about how Saturn works or simplifying the tool to fit within a smaller budget. However, full funding is acceptable if these additional benefits are included. -
Legal and Language Considerations:
The GMC emphasizes that any deliverable must avoid speculative or misleading language, ensuring compliance with legal standards. The tool should focus on factual inputs and outputs without making exaggerated claims about potential earnings. Regular monitoring of the messaging will be critical. -
Encouraging Education and Usability:
Enhancements that educate users about protocol mechanisms, such as Saturn, can further increase the tool’s value. A simple integration of explanatory content would make the calculator not just a useful tool but also an educational resource. -
Defining Actionable Steps for Bounty Hunters:
The GMC will require a detailed scope of work outlining the calculator’s required features, budget tiers, and compliance standards, along with a clear submission and review process to ensure alignment with expectations and deliverables. Bounty definition submissions are encouraged.
This funding decision reflects the GMC’s support for community-driven resources that enhance understanding and engagement while maintaining fiscal responsibility and compliance.
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Name: Clear Queue Gas Reimbursement
Proposer: calurduran
Type: Retro
Subcommittee: Research
Link to Application: Round 20 - GMC Call for Retrospective Applications - Deadline is January 7 - #2 by Patches
Decision: Approve
Requested Funding: $1,200 - $1,600
Awarded Funding: $1,200 - $1,600
Score: 3
Comments: The GMC approves funding for the clear queue gas reimbursement.
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Acknowledging Immediate Impact:
Clearing the queue provided short-term relief to Node Operators and helped address backlog concerns, particularly during a period of low gas prices. While this action had some benefits, its impact on rETH holders, especially during a persistent discount, warrants caution in future funding decisions. -
Setting Expectations for Future Requests:
The GMC emphasizes that this approval does not establish a precedent for funding similar requests in the future. Any future queue-clearing reimbursement requests must explicitly and clearly demonstrate substantial value to the Rocket Pool ecosystem. Retroactive requests for queue clearing are strongly discouraged unless they meet stringent criteria for ecosystem benefit.
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Name: LocalAgent
Proposer: LocalAgent
Type: Grant
Subcommittee: Marketing
Link to Application: Round 19 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is December 7 - #3 by daveytea
Decision: Decline
Requested Funding: $44,000
Comments: The GMC has carefully considered the LocalAgent proposal but expresses significant concerns about its feasibility, value for money, and alignment with Rocket Pool’s goals.
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Concerns About Feasibility and Delivery:
The proposal is ambitious, but the applicant has not sufficiently demonstrated the expertise or track record required to instill confidence in its successful execution. Given the technical and operational complexity, the GMC is not convinced the applicant can deliver on their commitments. -
Questionable Alignment and Value:
The high budget request does not align with the perceived benefits. Additionally, reliance on AI for critical tasks poses a significant risk of errors that could result in substantial financial losses for users. The focus on Telegram as a platform is also misaligned with Rocket Pool’s priorities and target audience. -
Risk Assessment:
The GMC acknowledges the potential value of exploring innovative solutions, but this proposal carries excessive risk and uncertainty. The likelihood of achieving the stated goals does not justify the requested funding.
Based on these considerations, the GMC cannot approve this proposal in its current form. Applicants are encouraged to refine their approach, clearly articulate deliverables, and address these concerns in any future submissions.
Bounties That Need Definitions
GMC is requesting support writing a definition for the following bounties:
Member Participation
All members participated in the decision process.
Final Voting Stages
There were no amendments declared during this period, and no members chose to reject the final vote slate.
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