Grant for the Web Proposals - What You Need to Know

Grant for the Web Proposals – What You Need to Know

It's been a long time coming, especially if you were one of the excited ones waiting since the initial Grant for the Web announcement back in September 2019.

What is Grant for the Web?

Grant for the Web is a $100M fund available to individuals and teams who have innovative ideas and projects to help move the Web Monetization ecosystem forward in a big way. Over the next 5 years, various amounts of funding will be distributed to those who complete the proposal process and are selected to receive grant money. Distributions will come through 6 months at a time to help propel specific projects toward completion.

Proposals

As promised back in March 2020, proposals are now open to those who have a strong desire to advance Web Monetization through innovative channels both creative as well as technical. Tech experts can devise websites, apps, and other related advancements that integrate Web Monetization and Interledger technology. Creatives, on the other hand, have the opportunity to create content that aligns with the vision of Web Monetization, helping spread the word to wider audiences.

Submissions are handled through a site called Submittable, allowing one to fully complete and manage their submissions all in one place. You will need to sign up for a free Submittable account before completing the Grant for the Web application, which only takes a minute or two. The Grant for the Web application is rather lengthy and will require some preparation before completing.

Preparation

First things first, you will want to complete a quick 2-minute eligibility questionnaire to determine if it's worth it for you to complete the entire application. The last thing you want to do is spend a significant amount of time completing the application, only to find out you were never eligible for funding in the first place.

Assuming you are eligible for Grant for the Web funding, next you will want to prepare to answer the following:

✸ Short project summary

✸ The problem your project addresses

✸ How you will integrate Web Monetization

✸ The goals of your project

✸ Timeline template

✸ Budget template

✸ Team member resumes / LinkedIn profiles

✸ Prior experience with Web Monetization and/or Interledger if applicable

✸ Your plan for licensing any content, software, or documentation involved in your project

✸ How your project will widen participation in Web Monetization in your own community.

✸ What you hope to learn by the end of the project

✸ How you will communicate publicly about your work

The application process will take multiple hours or days to fully complete after factoring in the preparation needed to answer all questions involved. Grant for the Web is only funding those who are serious about their project and who take the time to fill out the form truthfully and completely.

Utilize the 2 links in the list above to access both the Timeline Template and the Budget Template. Each of these documents will take time to fill out and then upload to the application page.

**Helpful note:** since the application will more than likely not get done in a single sitting, scroll down to the bottom and click on save draft so that you can return back to it later inside your Submittable account dashboard.

Grant levels

Different grant amounts will be distributed to individuals and teams depending on the type, scope, and magnitude of the project at hand. Be sure that you know how much funding to ask for when filling out the application.

✫ Spark level – $5,000-$15,000

The spark level grant will be rewarded to smaller-scale projects that promote the use of Web Monetization via events, documentation, and various content monetization experimentation.

✫ Mid level – $15,000-$50,000

Mid level grants are mainly for projects that are building tech advancements such as API's, plugin's, and similar Web Monetization tools. The grant amount will also be rewarded to larger-scale creative works such as whitepapers and academic research.

✫ Flagship level – $50,000-$100,000

You are an absolute Web Monetization boss if you are awarded this level of support from Grant for the Web. Should your project require this level of funding to help make it a success, be sure to enter that number in when filling out the application.

Take action

In my opinion, if you have your idea / project prepared, it is better to submit your application now so that you don't put it off and perhaps miss the call. June 12th is the last day one can apply for the first round of funding. There will be additional calls for proposals if you happen to miss this one due to timing issues or unfortunate life circumstances.

Go here to view the official Grant for the Web announcement article. From there, follow the instructions and visit the Apply page. Make sure that you read over the entire Apply page before actually applying to ensure you fully understand what to expect during the application process.

What happens next?

After you complete the application, it will be received by the Grant for the Web team for review. Don't expect a reply from the team sooner than June 12th when the proposal window closes. Decisions will be made behind the scenes regarding who will receive funding and also how much they will get. Please be patient, and give yourself a pat on the back for even completing the application process in the first place.

Last words

Don't have an idea or project yet? Don't sweat it. Grant for the Web will be offering more opportunities to get involved in the near future. The program is just now getting the ball rolling and is nowhere close to being done at this point. Remember this... if you want something bad enough, you will stop at nothing to get it. Stay determined, stay disciplined, and stay committed to long-term success in Web Monetization. The future looks bright, and we are sitting pretty at the beginning of a worldwide revolution. ✦

About the author:

Ken Melendez is a blockchain freelance writer and avid cryptocurrency blogger. He runs a website called Proof of Legacy, providing writing services to blockchain companies and individuals across the globe. He is a proud husband to his beautiful bride of 9 years and father of 3 young sons.