# Round 42 - GMC Call for Grant Applications - Deadline is November 7 **URL:** \ **Category:** Grants / Bounties\ **Tags:** gmc\_grant\_apps, gmc\_round\_42\ **Created:** [8 October 2026 00:09 UTC](https://dao.rocketpool.net/t/round-42-gmc-call-for-grant-applications-deadline-is-november-7/4070 "2026-10-08T00:09:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShfRyn](https://dao.rocketpool.net/user_avatar/dao.rocketpool.net/shfryn/32/531_2.png) [@ShfRyn](https://dao.rocketpool.net/u/ShfRyn)\ **Post date:** [8 October 2026 00:09 UTC](https://dao.rocketpool.net/t/round-42-gmc-call-for-grant-applications-deadline-is-november-7/4070/1 "2026-10-08T00:09:15Z")
This thread is for applications for Rocket Pool’s October 7, 2026 - November 7, 2026 grants. Please only post grant applications in this thread. If you would like to discuss and/or ask questions about any applications you see in this [thread](https://dao.rocketpool.net/t/round-42-gmc-community-discussion-of-submitted-applications/4069), we ask that you do so in this forum thread, which has been established for all community discussions related to this round of applications. Only those grant applications that are posted in this thread and timestamped by November 7, 2026 at 23:59 (11:59 PM) UTC will be considered. Any grants posted after that deadline will be carried over to the next award period. This is the expected schedule for round 42: - Application Period (October 7 - November 7) - Scoring Deadline (November 24) - Final Voting Amendments, Discussion and Finalization (November 25 - November 28) - Award Announcement (November 29) > **Differences Between Grants and Bounties** > > Grants are intended to be applied for by those who are wishing to carry out the work themselves. Bounties are open-ended goals that could be met by anyone, including those other than the proposing party. In other words, if I believed that Rocket Pool needed a fifty-foot paper mache orange rocket for publicity purposes and I wanted to be the one to build it, I would apply for a grant. If I instead thought Rocket Pool needed a fifty-foot paper mache orange rocket for publicity purposes but I wanted it to be open to whoever built it first to claim the reward (similar to a prize), then I’d apply for a bounty. To guide you in your application, the GMC has established the following goals and the following scoring rubric: > **GMC Goals** > > Grants, bounties, and retrospective awards should make it easier and/or more attractive to do one or more of the following: > > - become a node operator > > - operate a node, mint rETH > > - hold or use rETH > > - improve the quality of life for the protocol and its community. > **Grants Rubric** > > When evaluating grant applications, the GMC takes into account the following goals: > > - If the application is successful, to what extent does it further the GMC goals? > > - To what extent can the application be feasibly carried out by the person(s) proposed to complete it? > > - If the application is successful, how large is the benefit to the protocol relative to the size of the proposed costs? ## Grant Application Template Please copy paste the template below into a reply. Answer the questions there, feel free to remove or add sections based on relevance. ```auto ## Name of Grant ### What is the work being proposed? ### Is there any related work this builds off of? ### Will the results of this project be entirely open source ([MIT](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT), [GPL](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.en.html), [Apache](https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0), [CC BY](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) license or similar)? If not, which parts will not be, why, and under what license will they be published? ## Benefit | Group | Benefits | |---|---| | Potential rETH holders | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help people looking to stake ETH for rETH? | | rETH holders | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help rETH holders? | | Potential NOs | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help people looking to run a Rocket Pool node for the first time? | | NOs | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help people already running a Rocket Pool node? | | Community | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help the Rocket Pool community? | | RPL holders | If the grant is successfully completed, how does this help RPL holders? | ### Which other non-RPL protocols, DAOs, projects, or individuals, would stand to benefit from this grant? ## Work ### Who is doing the work? ### What is the background of the person(s) doing the work? What experience do they have with such projects in the past? ### What is the breakdown of the proposed work, in terms of milestones and/or deadlines? ### How is the work being tested? Is testing included in the schedule? ### How will the work be maintained after delivery? ## Costs ### What is the acceptance criteria? ### What is the proposed payment schedule for the grant? How much USD $ and over what period of time is the applicant requesting? ### Who will directly receive the payment? (Required — the GMC can only send grants directly to a recipient address and cannot accept invoices.) ### How will the GMC verify that the work delivered matches the proposed cadence? ### What alternatives or options have been considered in order to save costs for the proposed project? ### Have you already been compensated by the RP protocol in any way for this work? ## Conflict of Interest ### Does the person or persons proposing the grant have any conflicts of interest to disclose? (Please disclose here if you are a member of the GMC or if any member of the GMC would benefit directly financially from the grant). ### Will the recipient of the grant, or any protocol or project in which the recipient has a vested interest (other than Rocket Pool), benefit financially if the grant is successful? ``` ### Join the Conversation We encourage prospective applicants to introduce themselves and discuss their ideas in the [Rocket Pool Discord](https://discord.gg/rocketpool), particularly in the GMC public discussion channel, before submitting an application. Engaging with the community is a great way to receive feedback, understand the protocol’s current priorities, and determine whether your proposal aligns with the GMC’s funding goals. While not required, we welcome the opportunity to connect with applicants and discuss ideas before the formal review process. ---
**Author:** ![HannahKrypt](https://dao.rocketpool.net/user_avatar/dao.rocketpool.net/hannahkrypt/32/1716_2.png) [@HannahKrypt](https://dao.rocketpool.net/u/HannahKrypt)\ **Post date:** [8 October 2026 17:52 UTC](https://dao.rocketpool.net/t/round-42-gmc-call-for-grant-applications-deadline-is-november-7/4070/2 "2026-10-08T17:52:55Z")
## Rocket Pool Africa: rETH Education, Content & Community Grant ### What is the work being proposed? I am proposing a 3-month educational and community initiative focused on increasing awareness and understanding of Rocket Pool and rETH among African Web3 users through educational content, video production, and a dedicated in-person community event. The project is designed around three connected activities: 1. **Educational Content** 2. **Educational Video** 3. **Rocket Pool Africa IRL Event** The overall objective is to make Rocket Pool and rETH easier for new users to understand and provide a practical pathway for interested users to learn how to hold and use rETH, while also introducing technically interested users to Rocket Pool node operation. The project will focus on education rather than speculative promotion. * * * ## 1. Educational Content I will create a consistent series of educational content explaining Rocket Pool and rETH in simple, accessible language. Planned content includes: - What is Rocket Pool? - What is rETH? - How does Rocket Pool staking work? - Why would someone hold rETH? - How is rETH different from ETH? - How can users acquire rETH? - What can users do with rETH? - Risks and considerations when using liquid staking. - Rocket Pool’s node-operator model. - What is required to become a Rocket Pool node operator? - Common Rocket Pool and rETH questions. - Beginner-friendly explanations of relevant Ethereum and DeFi concepts. ### Content Deliverables - **20+ short-form educational videos** - **15+ educational X/Twitter posts or threads** - **5+ educational graphics/visual explainers** - **3 beginner-friendly written guides** - A public FAQ based on questions received during the campaign The content will be distributed through X/Twitter, short-form video platforms, Web3 communities, and other relevant channels. * * * ## 2. Educational Video Series In addition to short-form content, I will produce a smaller series of more detailed educational videos. The videos will be designed to answer questions that cannot be adequately covered in a short social media post. Planned videos include: 1. **Rocket Pool Explained for Beginners** 2. **What is rETH and How Does It Work?** 3. **How to Acquire and Use rETH** 4. **Understanding Rocket Pool Node Operation** 5. **Why Run a Rocket Pool Node?** 6. **Rocket Pool Africa Event Recap & Community Interviews** The videos will use practical demonstrations, screen recordings, simple explanations, and visual examples where appropriate. The objective is to create evergreen educational material that can continue to onboard users after the grant period. * * * ## 3. Rocket Pool Africa IRL Event The project will culminate in a dedicated educational community event: ### Rocket Pool Africa: rETH & Ethereum Staking Workshop The event will introduce Rocket Pool and rETH to an audience of Ethereum and Web3 users interested in staking, DeFi, and blockchain infrastructure. The event will focus on education and practical learning rather than being a general crypto meetup. ### Proposed Event Activities **Introduction to Rocket Pool** An accessible overview of Rocket Pool, its purpose, and its role in Ethereum staking. **Understanding rETH** A beginner-friendly explanation of rETH, how it works, and why someone might choose to hold or use it. **Practical rETH Walkthrough** A live demonstration showing the relevant steps for acquiring and interacting with rETH through supported routes. **rETH Use Cases** An educational overview of how rETH can be used within the broader Ethereum ecosystem. **Node Operator Session** An introduction to Rocket Pool node operation, including who may be interested in becoming a node operator and where to find the official technical resources to get started. **Community Q&A** An open session where participants can ask questions about Rocket Pool, rETH, staking, and node operation. **Networking** An opportunity for participants to connect with other Ethereum and Web3 users, builders, and community members. ### Proposed Event Size The initial target is approximately **50–80 participants**. The event will be organized in collaboration with existing Web3/Ethereum communities where possible. * * * ## Event Content Capture The IRL event will also serve as the centerpiece for additional educational content. With appropriate participant consent, I will capture: - Short educational clips - Speaker/interview clips - Community reactions - Event photography - Educational highlights - Short-form videos - Event recap video This means the event continues providing value after it ends through additional educational content distributed online. * * * ## Is there any related work this builds off of? This project builds on my existing experience in Web3 content creation, short-form video production, community management, educational communication, hosting Web3 discussions, and organizing community activities. I have experience communicating technical Web3 concepts to audiences with different levels of knowledge and working with African Web3 communities. The project will also build on Rocket Pool’s existing documentation and resources. Rocket Pool’s official documentation will remain the primary technical source. The purpose of this project is not to replace the documentation but to make the information easier to discover, understand, and apply for new users. * * * ## Will the results of this project be entirely open source? Yes, where applicable. Original written guides, educational resources, graphics, presentation materials, templates, and other original materials created specifically through the grant will be made publicly available under **CC BY 4.0** or a similar permissive license. Rocket Pool will be free to reuse, adapt, translate, distribute, and reference these materials. Video content published through third-party platforms will remain subject to those platforms’ terms of service. Third-party logos, trademarks, screenshots, and copyrighted materials will remain subject to their respective owners’ rights. * * * # Benefit | Group | Benefits | | --- | --- | | Potential rETH holders | Provides accessible education explaining Rocket Pool and rETH, followed by practical video tutorials and an opportunity to ask questions at an IRL event. This reduces the knowledge barrier for users considering rETH. | | rETH holders | Provides additional education about rETH, its underlying protocol, and relevant ways it can be used within the Ethereum ecosystem. | | Potential NOs | Introduces technically interested users to Rocket Pool’s node-operator model and provides a direct educational pathway from learning about rETH to learning how to operate a Rocket Pool node. | | NOs | Increased awareness of Rocket Pool can expand the community of users and create a larger pool of people who may eventually become node operators. | | Community | Creates reusable educational content, brings African Ethereum/Web3 participants together, and gives community members practical resources for explaining Rocket Pool to newcomers. | | RPL holders | Increased awareness and usage of Rocket Pool and rETH can contribute to greater protocol activity and a stronger overall Rocket Pool ecosystem. | ### Which other non-RPL protocols, DAOs, projects, or individuals would stand to benefit from this grant? Ethereum users and communities would benefit from accessible education around Ethereum staking and liquid staking. DeFi protocols that support rETH may also benefit indirectly from greater awareness and usage of rETH. African Web3 communities, Ethereum educators, developers, and community organizers would gain access to reusable educational material and an opportunity to participate in a Rocket Pool-focused educational event. No third-party protocol will receive guaranteed promotion or preferential treatment. * * * # Work ## Project Timeline ### Month 1 — Education & Awareness - Research and validate current Rocket Pool information. - Develop the campaign’s educational content framework. - Begin publishing short-form educational videos. - Publish educational X posts and threads. - Create beginner guides and visual explainers. - Begin outreach to African Ethereum/Web3 communities. - Announce the upcoming Rocket Pool Africa event. ### Month 2 — Video & Community Education - Continue short-form educational content. - Produce detailed Rocket Pool/rETH videos. - Publish practical rETH onboarding content. - Conduct an online educational session. - Finalize event logistics and community partnerships. - Promote the IRL event. ### Month 3 — IRL Event & Final Content - Host the Rocket Pool Africa rETH & Ethereum Staking Workshop. - Conduct practical rETH education and node-operator introduction. - Capture event content with participant consent. - Publish event highlights and recap videos. - Publish remaining educational resources. - Collect community feedback. - Publish a final project report. * * * # Key Deliverables ### Content - 20+ short-form educational videos - 15+ X/Twitter educational posts or threads - 5+ visual explainers - 3 written educational guides - Public Rocket Pool/rETH FAQ ### Video - 5 detailed educational videos - Practical rETH walkthrough - Node-operator educational video - Event recap video - Community/interview clips ### Event - 1 Rocket Pool Africa IRL educational event - Target attendance: 50–80 participants - rETH educational session - Practical onboarding demonstration - Node-operator introduction - Community Q&A - Networking session ### Reporting A public final report will document: - Content produced - Links to all major deliverables - Video views and engagement - Social media reach - Event attendance - Community feedback - Educational questions received - Documented onboarding activity where measurable - Lessons learned - Recommendations for future Rocket Pool community education * * * # Measurement The project will measure both reach and meaningful engagement. Key metrics will include: - Number of educational resources published - Video views - Social media impressions - Engagement - Guide/resource views - Event registrations and attendance - Questions received - Community feedback - Voluntarily reported onboarding activity - Interest in Rocket Pool node operation I will distinguish between **content reach** and **actual adoption** and will not claim that views or event attendance automatically represent new rETH users. Where adoption can be responsibly measured or voluntarily reported, it will be documented separately. * * * # Budget | Budget Item | Amount | | --- | --- | | Short-form & educational video production | $850 | | Detailed video production & editing | $400 | | Educational guides, research & writing | $250 | | Graphics & visual explainers | $200 | | IRL venue & event logistics | $500 | | Audio/visual & power backup | $150 | | Internet & event connectivity | $75 | | Refreshments | $300 | | Photography & event video coverage | $125 | | Community outreach & promotion | $100 | | Reporting & documentation | $50 | | **Total Requested** | **$3,000** | ## Budget Rationale The total requested amount is **$3,000 for three months**. The majority of the budget supports content and educational production that can continue to provide value after the grant period. The event budget is intentionally controlled so that the project remains primarily an educational initiative rather than an expensive promotional event. Existing personal equipment and resources will be used where possible to reduce production costs. The event will also generate additional content, allowing one community activity to produce educational material that can reach people who were unable to attend. * * * # Why This Grant Is Feasible The project is based on skills and activities I already have experience with: - Web3 content creation - Short-form video production - Educational content - Community management - Web3 discussions and spaces - Community outreach - Event organization - African Web3 community engagement The project does not require Rocket Pool to build new infrastructure or depend on a new technical product being developed. The primary work is content production, education, community engagement, event organization, and documentation. * * * # Risks & Mitigation ### Technical information changes Rocket Pool’s official documentation will be used as the primary technical reference, and relevant instructions will be reviewed before publication. ### Content receives views but does not lead to meaningful engagement The campaign will prioritize practical education, tutorials, Q&A, and direct community engagement rather than optimizing solely for impressions. ### Low event attendance The event will be promoted through existing Web3/Ethereum communities and announced sufficiently in advance. ### Third-party DeFi information becomes outdated Third-party applications will be clearly identified, and outdated information will be removed or updated. ### Difficulty measuring actual rETH adoption The project will not overstate results. Engagement, attendance, educational activity, and actual adoption will be reported as separate metrics. * * * # Why I Am Applying I want to use my existing experience in Web3 content creation and African community engagement to introduce more users to Rocket Pool and rETH through education that is practical, accessible, and easy to share. Rather than treating content, video, and an event as separate activities, this grant connects them into one onboarding funnel: **Content → Education → Practical Video → Community Event → rETH Onboarding → Potential Node Operator** This approach allows Rocket Pool to reach users online while also providing an opportunity for interested users to engage directly with the ecosystem. The resulting educational materials will remain publicly available after the grant period, giving the project value beyond the initial three months. # Grant Requested **$3,000 USD for a 3-month Rocket Pool Africa rETH Education, Content & Community initiative.**