XMTP Grants: Inspiring public goods

✨ Mission​

Support projects, ideas, and people building on XMTP to foster ecosystem growth through public good creation.

📜 Request for proposals​

We are open to any and all ideas! Below are just a few categories of projects we are particularly excited about.

🎨 Custom content types​

• Media: Attachments, Voicenotes, Images
• Threading: Emoji reactions, Reply threads
• Transactions and payments

💾 Novel applications​

• Rabbithole Quest
• Gitcoin messaging
• Pay to message

🎒 Portable consent backpack​

• Follow
• Block/spam

🧠 Protocol development​

• Multi-chain support (e.g. Solana, Bitcoin, Tezos, etc)
• Account abstraction

👨🏼‍💻 Developer tools​

• Plug and play notification server
• Web3 resolver library

👀 Unique features​

• Read receipts - opt-in, performant, interoperable
• Personalizable conversation sorting and filtering

🔍 Grant types​

We offer two types of grants: Micro grants and Kickstarter grants.

Micro grants (<$5k):

• Smaller project scope, faster review process
• Examples:
  • Opt-in, interoperable, performant read receipts
  • Rabbithole quest

Kickstarter grants (<$10K):

• Bigger project scope, fast review process
• Examples:
  • Cross-chain support or account abstraction
  • Portable and interoperable consent backpack

📣 If you are unsure, message us via XMTP at grants.xmtp.eth and we'll be happy to help you figure out the grant type that's right for you.

🎯 Evaluation criteria​

We love and encourage diversity of ideas in grant applications. This section lists the baseline expectations we have for all applications.

Example applications:

• Qualifies: a project that will introduce a novel feature (e.g. emoji reactions, read receipts, account abstraction, etc) and propose an XIP for a standard way to do it across different applications.
• Does not qualify: a project to integrate with XMTP to create a cool messaging app that doesn't create community resources (e.g. XIPs, dev tools, etc).

XMTP Grants are not for:

• Integrating with XMTP: Merely integrating with XMTP does not qualify for a grant. Grant projects must create public goods for the ecosystem. Check out the Request for Proposal section for ideas.
• Marketing budgets: Grant money should not be used towards promoting or advertising projects.
• Travel budgets: Grants are not meant to fund plane tickets, accommodation costs, and other travel expenses.
• Replacements for venture funding: Grants are not substitutions for a round of funding. They are aimed at enabling discrete projects that create a public good for the ecosystem.
• Free money: Please don’t abuse this system. Our program’s mission is to support people who believe in the potential of web3 messaging and want to contribute to building in the space.
• Stress relief: Our grants are not intended to extend your runway or alleviate financial stress. You should aim to build long-term in our ecosystem.

Consider the following criteria if you’re uncertain whether your project qualifies for an XMTP grant:

• Building in public: Not all projects require code, but they should be built in the spirit of open-sourcing your learnings (and code if appropriate) for everyone to learn from.
• Action > Perfection: Show us how you or your team have the skills and potential to bring the proposal to life.
• Definitive use case: Articulate your idea clearly on how your project uses XMTP and adds value to the ecosystem. Please do not try to overthink or overcomplicate it.
• Public Good creation: Show clear connection between your proposal and the value it generates for the broader ecosystem.
• Collaborate: Be collaborative and open to offering support to other members of our community. Let’s grow together!

❓ FAQ​

Q: Any deadlines to keep in mind?

Nope! We’re always on the lookout for cool ideas - so applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Q: Will I hear back if my application is rejected?

Yes, you will hear back either from us irrespective or whether your application is successful or not.

Q: I have not heard back on my application yet, can I get an update?

Please check your XMTP inbox for the ENS (or EVM address) you shared with us in your application.

Q: When will I receive a decision for my application?

We will get back to you within 3-4 weeks of your submission.

Q: How much money is the grant?

Grants are up to $10K.

Q: What is the deadline to deliver?

Milestone dates are agreed upon by the project team and XMTP. They can be amended within reason.

Q: How do I follow up once a milestone has been reached?

You can fill in the form available at Claim Payments to notify us of your progress and unlock the next portion of your grant!

✨ Resources and inspiration​

Vision​

• XMTP roadmap

Documentation​

• Start building with XMTP

Project showcase​

• Built with XMTP

💬 Contact us​

🧑‍💻 Ask questions and file bugs on GitHub

🕊️ Holler at us on 𝕏

👾 Join the community at Discord

📬 DM us via XMTP at grants.xmtp.eth for anything else