General Guidelines for Grant Applications

Dear RootstockCollective Community,

I’m thrilled to introduce our refreshed grant guidelines (V3.1), launching alongside our latest dApp update (V7.1)! :sparkles: These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting innovative builders while ensuring our resources drive meaningful impact across the Rootstock ecosystem.

If you have already passed your KYC, you are ready to create your offchain proposal here. Here is our suggested Template:

Title Format: [YYMM Grant] Project Name.
For example: [2511 Grant 3] Amazing Protocol XYZ

Proposal Content:

  1. A. Project Name:
    B. Classification:
    - Project stage (MVP, Beta, Growth, Mature)
    - Sector (DeFi, Infrastructure, Developer Tools, Consumer Apps, etc.)
    - Target audience

  2. Submission Date:

  3. Founder Information:

      • Founder name(s)
        
        Professional background
        
        LinkedIn profiles
        
        GitHub profiles
        
        Prior blockchain experience
        
  4. Team:

    • Key team members and roles
      
      Relevant experience and expertise
      
      Previous blockchain/web3 projects
      
      
      1. Media & Resources:
      Pitch deck link (self-hosted)
      
      Demo video/prototype link
      
      Screenshots/mockups
      
      Technical documentation
      
  5. Traction & Metrics:

    • Current user base (if applicable)
      
      Transaction volume (if applicable)
      
      TVL (if applicable)
      
      Growth trajectory
      
      Key achievements to date
      
  6. Grant Request:

    • Total amount requested
      
      Milestone breakdown with associated deliverables and dates
      
      Amounts per milestone in desired coin/token: USDRIF, rBTC
      
  7. Mission & Vision:

    • How your project aligns with Rootstock ecosystem goals?
  8. Product Details:

    • Core features and functionality
      
      Technical architecture
      
      Integration with Rootstock
      
      Security considerations
      
  9. Description:

    • Core problem being solved
      
      Solution overview
      
      Unique value proposition
      
      Competitive analysis
      
      
      
    1. Project Roadmap:
    • Clear timeline with measurable deliverables
      
      Major milestones and expected completion dates
      
      Key success metrics for each phase
      
  10. Performance Targets: Specific, measurable goals for:

    • Transaction volume
      
      TVL (Total Value Locked)
      
      User acquisition
      
      Other relevant metrics
      
  11. Conclusion:

    • Summary of key points

    • Call to action for community support

  12. Social & Community:

    • Website
      
      Twitter/X
      
      Discord/Telegram
      
      GitHub repository
      
      
      

      Note on AI Usage: We encourage applicants to use AI tools to help correct typos or improve narrative flow in their proposals. However, excessive AI-generated content that lacks authentic project voice or specific technical details will be flagged during review. The strongest proposals demonstrate genuine team expertise and project understanding that can’t be fully replicated by generative AI. Use these tools to enhance your communication, not replace your unique project perspective.

Our program focuses on projects delivering measurable value to Rootstock in the near term, with three grant tiers:

Small Grants (up to $10,000) 💡

For early experiments and marketing initiatives


Medium Grants ($10,000 - $25,000) 🌱

For working products seeking growth



Large Grants ($25,000 - $75,000 or more) 🚀

For established projects with significant impact potential

Key performance metrics include transaction volume, TVL, user adoption, developer activity, and community growth.

Key performance metrics include transaction volume, TVL, user adoption, developer activity, and community growth. While these amounts are estimative, please note that community will request detailed justification for all requested funds.

We encourage established projects to consider applying for smaller grants for targeted integrations when appropriate. These tiers are indicative but not mandatory - the focus is on demonstrating clear value relative to the requested amount.

  1. Guidelines on approval: While we support promising projects through the application process, we cannot guarantee positive community votes even when proposals meet all guidelines. The final decision rests with the decentralized community governance process.

  2. Process Order: KYC first → off-chain submission → on-chain proposal

  3. Eligibility: :warning: U.S.-based companies/UBOs not eligible at this time (updated November 3rd 2025)

  4. Community Period: Allow 1-3 weeks for feedback and delegate engagement on your off-chain proposal (forum).

  5. Sharktank Sessions: Be prepared for potential live presentation opportunities on our X Spaces with moderators from the Collective, Rootstock or KOLs.

We’re excited about empowering builders expanding Bitcoin’s potential through Rootstock. We encourage you to take a good look around our website: https://rootstockcollective.xyz/ for more documentation, and of course, our amazing dapp to check the latest proposals and more! : https://app.rootstockcollective.xyz/.

Have any other doubt? Reach out to the team via the General Channels on our Telegram channels, leave your comment on the Forum thread of interest or tag us on X - we are here to help!

GLHF :high_voltage:
The Rootstock Collective Team

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