What kind of grants do you offer?
We will employ three methods
A. Passive open grants: applicants find an idea they have an interest in and submit their applications. Please note that the categories listed above are the ones the ATOM Accelerator will be focusing on but they are not exhaustive
B. Outreach based grants where the ATOM Accelerator proactively seeks out to fund specific initiatives and encourages specific individual or teams to apply for a grant
C. RFPs. In a few instances, the ATOM Accelerator will manifest its interest in projects its Reviewer Committee deems strategic for ATOM and will be publishing more detailed guidelines on its functional and technical needs. Multiple teams are encouraged to participate and submit their application.
A. Passive open grants: applicants find an idea they have an interest in and submit their applications. Please note that the categories listed above are the ones the ATOM Accelerator will be focusing on but they are not exhaustive
B. Outreach based grants where the ATOM Accelerator proactively seeks out to fund specific initiatives and encourages specific individual or teams to apply for a grant
C. RFPs. In a few instances, the ATOM Accelerator will manifest its interest in projects its Reviewer Committee deems strategic for ATOM and will be publishing more detailed guidelines on its functional and technical needs. Multiple teams are encouraged to participate and submit their application.
How do you assess applications?
We assess applications a rating sheet is used by to pre-screen applications. Two randomly assigned members of the Reviewer Committee complete the pre-screening task. A total of 16 points is possible and an average grade of 13.5 or higher from the two reviewers is the threshold needed for an application to move on to the interview stage.
The rating criteria can be read here.
The rating criteria can be read here.
What is the maximum amount available?
Grants range from $10k to $1m and are paid in $USDC to a Noble address. We don’t anticipate many projects requiring that level of support but if you have a big idea that is going to be open source and drive value to $ATOM then we would love to hear from you.
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
Conflicts of interest are covered in our Code of Conduct policy a copy of which is readable here:
1) Conduct our business activities and transactions with the highest level of integrity and ethical standards.
2) Conflict of interest:
• All conflicts of interest, including potential conflicts of interest, must be disclosed to the Oversight committee.
• Do not take any business related action for your personal financial benefit.
• Do not use the Program financial resources for personal use and protect them as if they were your own.
• Do not take for yourself any opportunities that are discovered or advanced through the use of your position within the Program.
• No family member should report directly to another family member.
• Do not accept money, token equity, fees, commissions, or any other financial incentive from any person or business involved in any business with the Program.
3) Bribery: Do not offer, give, accept, or receive a bribe to/from anyone. Bribery and corruption can cause irreparable harm to the Program and the communities where we do business.
4) Fraud, Dishonesty or Criminal Conduct• We place a great deal of trust and confidence in our team members. In return, we expect each team member to act ethically and honestly. Any use of fraudulent or illegal tactics violates that trust and carries consequences, including discipline, up to and including termination.
• We do not encourage taking unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair dealing practice.
• If any fraud, dishonesty, or criminal conduct is detected or suspected of any team member or anyone doing business with the Atom Accelerator DAO, such activities should be reported to the Oversight Committee.
5) Employment Practices:
• Team members must treat each other with respect and dignity.
• Value the contributions of others and listen to their viewpoints.
• Maintain fairness in all relationships.
• Never discriminate against anyone.
• Consult with the Oversight Committee when suspecting of any unethical situation.
6) Disclosure:
• Make sure that any business information reported is accurate, complete, and timely. Be certain that any document prepared or signed is correct, complete and truthful. Providing false or misleading records or altering records violate our code of conduct and it will be .
• Promptly report suspicious transactions or activities and refer questions relating to these topics to the Oversight Committee.
7) Disciplinary Actions Team members may be the subject of disciplinary action for matters relating to their performance, capacity or conduct, including but not limited to the following:Unsatisfactory Performance,Unacceptable Conduct Wilful or Serious Misconduct Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, the following: verbal warning/counselling; written warning; dismissal.
1) Conduct our business activities and transactions with the highest level of integrity and ethical standards.
2) Conflict of interest:
• All conflicts of interest, including potential conflicts of interest, must be disclosed to the Oversight committee.
• Do not take any business related action for your personal financial benefit.
• Do not use the Program financial resources for personal use and protect them as if they were your own.
• Do not take for yourself any opportunities that are discovered or advanced through the use of your position within the Program.
• No family member should report directly to another family member.
• Do not accept money, token equity, fees, commissions, or any other financial incentive from any person or business involved in any business with the Program.
3) Bribery: Do not offer, give, accept, or receive a bribe to/from anyone. Bribery and corruption can cause irreparable harm to the Program and the communities where we do business.
4) Fraud, Dishonesty or Criminal Conduct• We place a great deal of trust and confidence in our team members. In return, we expect each team member to act ethically and honestly. Any use of fraudulent or illegal tactics violates that trust and carries consequences, including discipline, up to and including termination.
• We do not encourage taking unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other unfair dealing practice.
• If any fraud, dishonesty, or criminal conduct is detected or suspected of any team member or anyone doing business with the Atom Accelerator DAO, such activities should be reported to the Oversight Committee.
5) Employment Practices:
• Team members must treat each other with respect and dignity.
• Value the contributions of others and listen to their viewpoints.
• Maintain fairness in all relationships.
• Never discriminate against anyone.
• Consult with the Oversight Committee when suspecting of any unethical situation.
6) Disclosure:
• Make sure that any business information reported is accurate, complete, and timely. Be certain that any document prepared or signed is correct, complete and truthful. Providing false or misleading records or altering records violate our code of conduct and it will be .
• Promptly report suspicious transactions or activities and refer questions relating to these topics to the Oversight Committee.
7) Disciplinary Actions Team members may be the subject of disciplinary action for matters relating to their performance, capacity or conduct, including but not limited to the following:Unsatisfactory Performance,Unacceptable Conduct Wilful or Serious Misconduct Disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, the following: verbal warning/counselling; written warning; dismissal.
Who will review my application?
Applications will be initially screened by a member of our Reviewer Committee team focusing on the area of your application. There will then be an interview stage and finally a vote. Reviewer Committee members with a potential conflict of interest will be recused from the vote. The reviewer committee is:
Mark, Built and sold three software companies. Hosted 120+ Cosmos teams on spaces. Passionate about helping teams succeed.
Reena Shtedle, Founding team, Web3 native with an academic background in Math, CS, and Social theory. Held key roles at Paradigm Research and Citadel.one where she co-founded and served as CBDO and DevRel.
Joni Z, Co-founder of educational Blockchain Insight Group.
Mark, Built and sold three software companies. Hosted 120+ Cosmos teams on spaces. Passionate about helping teams succeed.
Reena Shtedle, Founding team, Web3 native with an academic background in Math, CS, and Social theory. Held key roles at Paradigm Research and Citadel.one where she co-founded and served as CBDO and DevRel.
Joni Z, Co-founder of educational Blockchain Insight Group.
What is the role of the Oversight Committee?
The Oversight Committee’s role is:
1. Internal controls of the ATOM Accelerator DAO such as expenditure controls, monitoring of conflicts of interest as well as publishing of monthly transparency reports. As we develop our website there will be a section where these can be found. The first transparency report can be read here
2. Oversight & accountability of grant recipients through follow-ups on milestones and deliverables
3. Interface with the ATOM community at large to inform of the latest developments.
The oversight committee consists of:
Patricia Mizuki, formerly PwC auditor, over 10 years of experience of audit, risk management and process improvements.
Damien Bonello, Protocol Specialist and Governance Lead for Simply Staking. He holds a background in Finance and Economics.
1. Internal controls of the ATOM Accelerator DAO such as expenditure controls, monitoring of conflicts of interest as well as publishing of monthly transparency reports. As we develop our website there will be a section where these can be found. The first transparency report can be read here
2. Oversight & accountability of grant recipients through follow-ups on milestones and deliverables
3. Interface with the ATOM community at large to inform of the latest developments.
The oversight committee consists of:
Patricia Mizuki, formerly PwC auditor, over 10 years of experience of audit, risk management and process improvements.
Damien Bonello, Protocol Specialist and Governance Lead for Simply Staking. He holds a background in Finance and Economics.
I want to apply for a grant but I don’t see my category. Can I still apply?
Absolutely, although we expect to give funding priority to the categories we listed on our website. We are aware some grant ideas might not be covered in the listed categories and as such are committed to process them as well.
What is your funding policy regarding Interchain public goods such as the Cosmos SDK or CosmWasm?
The ATOM Accelerator is focused on the Cosmos Hub and the ATOM token. Since our funding is not unlimited and because Interchain public goods are often expensive, our stance is to fund some in association with other app-chain grant programs. We have a liaison with these grant programs and will coordinate with them when necessary to fund together Interchain public goods.