Apply for PGF Funding
Public Goods Funding (PGF) supports projects that benefit the Namada ecosystem. Learn how to apply for funding.
Time & Difficulty
⏱️ Variable | 🎯 Difficulty: Intermediate
What is PGF?
Public Goods Funding is Namada's decentralized grant system:
- 💰 Treasury-funded - From protocol inflation
- 🗳️ Community-governed - Voted on by stakers
- 👥 Steward-managed - Elected community members
- 🌐 Public goods focused - Benefits the ecosystem
What Can Be Funded?
Typical PGF Projects
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Development | Tools, libraries, integrations |
| Education | Tutorials, documentation, videos |
| Community | Events, meetups, programs |
| Research | Analysis, reports, studies |
| Infrastructure | Public nodes, explorers, APIs |
| Security | Audits, bug bounties |
NamWiki Examples
This wiki was funded through community grants! Examples include:
- Educational content creation
- Translation efforts
- Video tutorials
Funding Types
1. Continuous Funding
Ongoing payments for sustained work:
- Monthly payments
- Long-term projects
- Core contributors
2. Retroactive Funding
One-time payment for completed work:
- Finished projects
- Past contributions
- Bounties
3. Steward Grants
Direct funding from elected stewards:
- Faster approval
- Smaller amounts
- Discretionary
The Application Process
1. IDEA
Define your project
2. PROPOSAL
Write detailed proposal
3. DISCUSSION
Community feedback
4. SUBMISSION
On-chain proposal (or steward request)
5. VOTING
Community votes
6. FUNDING
If approved, receive funds
7. DELIVERY
Complete the work
8. REPORTING
Share progress and outcomes
Step 1: Define Your Project
Answer these questions:
- What are you building?
- Why does Namada need this?
- Who will benefit?
- How will you deliver?
- How much funding do you need?
- When will it be complete?
Step 2: Write Your Proposal
Essential Components
# Project Title
## Summary
One paragraph describing the project.
## Problem
What problem does this solve?
## Solution
How does your project solve it?
## Scope
What exactly will be delivered?
## Team
Who is doing the work?
## Budget
Detailed cost breakdown.
## Timeline
Milestones and deadlines.
## Success Metrics
How will success be measured?
Budget Example
| Item | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Development | 3000 NAM | 60 hours @ 50 NAM/hr |
| Design | 500 NAM | UI/UX work |
| Content | 1000 NAM | Documentation |
| Buffer | 500 NAM | Contingency |
| Total | 5000 NAM |
Step 3: Community Discussion
Where to Discuss
-
Forum: forum.namada.net
- Create detailed post
- Respond to feedback
- Iterate on proposal
-
Discord: #governance channel
- Quick feedback
- Informal discussion
- Build relationships
Tips for Discussion
- Be responsive
- Accept constructive criticism
- Show flexibility
- Build support
Step 4: Submit Your Proposal
Option A: Governance Proposal
For larger amounts or continuous funding:
- Create proposal JSON (see Create Proposal)
- Submit on-chain
- Pay deposit
- Campaign for votes
Option B: Steward Request
For smaller amounts or faster approval:
- Contact a PGF steward
- Share your proposal
- Steward evaluates and decides
Current Stewards
Find active stewards on:
- Namada Forum
- Discord #governance
- Block explorer governance section
Step 5: If Approved
Receiving Funds
- Funds sent to your specified address
- Continuous funding arrives each epoch
- One-time grants arrive after proposal passes
Accountability
You're expected to:
- Deliver what you promised
- Provide progress updates
- Share outcomes publicly
- Be available for questions
Proposal Tips
What Works
- ✅ Clear, measurable deliverables
- ✅ Realistic timeline
- ✅ Experienced team
- ✅ Community benefit
- ✅ Reasonable budget
- ✅ Track record
What Doesn't
- ❌ Vague promises
- ❌ Overinflated budgets
- ❌ No prior contribution
- ❌ Personal benefit only
- ❌ Already funded elsewhere
- ❌ No accountability
Budget Guidelines
Reasonable Rates
| Role | Suggested Range |
|---|---|
| Senior Developer | 50-100 NAM/hr |
| Junior Developer | 25-50 NAM/hr |
| Content Writer | 25-50 NAM/hr |
| Designer | 40-75 NAM/hr |
| Community Manager | 20-40 NAM/hr |
Rates are suggestions based on ecosystem norms
Right-Sizing
| Project Size | Funding Range |
|---|---|
| Small (bounty) | 50-500 NAM |
| Medium (project) | 500-5000 NAM |
| Large (initiative) | 5000-50000 NAM |
Example Proposals
Education Project
Title: Namada Video Tutorial Series
Summary: Create 10 beginner-friendly video tutorials
covering all aspects of using Namada.
Deliverables:
- 10 videos (5-10 min each)
- Accompanying written guides
- Translations in Spanish
Budget: 2500 NAM
Timeline: 2 months
Developer Tool
Title: Namada SDK Improvements
Summary: Add missing features to the TypeScript SDK
to enable better dApp development.
Deliverables:
- Shielded transfer support
- Better error handling
- Full documentation
- Example projects
Budget: 8000 NAM
Timeline: 3 months
After Delivery
Report Your Success
Share outcomes with the community:
- Forum update post
- Discord announcement
- Metrics and usage data
- Lessons learned
Build Reputation
Successful delivery:
- Builds trust for future proposals
- Establishes you as contributor
- Opens more opportunities
FAQ
How much can I request?
No hard limit, but be reasonable. Start smaller if new to the community.
How long until I get funded?
- Steward grants: Days to weeks
- Governance proposals: ~2 weeks (voting + grace period)
Can I get funded before delivering?
Yes, but:
- Continuous funding = ongoing payments
- Large one-time grants may be milestoned
- Track record helps
What if my proposal fails?
Learn from feedback, improve, try again. Many successful proposals failed first.
Can non-developers apply?
Absolutely! Education, community, research, and other contributions are valued.
Resources
- PGF Documentation - Official docs
- Forum - Proposal discussions
- Discord - Community chat
- Past Proposals - See what's been funded
Next Steps
- Governance Basics - Understand the system
- Create Proposal - Technical submission
- Vote on Proposals - Participate in governance