Proposals

Last Revision: April 25, 2024


If you've got an idea to build on or improve Urbit, the Urbit Foundation can fund you to make it real. We fund all sorts of projects: apps, core system work, developer tools, integrations with other technologies, community formation, and more.

Send us your proposal, and we'll let you know. We can either accept it or give you useful feedback.

Getting Help

If you need help writing a proposal, we are available for you. Please reach out via email to grants@urbit.org, DM ~tamlut-modnys on the network, or stop by the Grants Office Hours which are held Thursdays at 1pm Eastern Time in the Urbit Hacker House.

The Proposal Process

1. Write your Application

Your proposal should clearly articulate your idea and the value it will bring to the Urbit network.

Good proposals include the following:

— A detailed and clear description of the project. If you're proposing something technical, user stories can help explain what people will be able to do with your creation.

— An overview of why you are the right person for the job. A description of your background, familiarity with the project, and professional/education experience are useful.

— Milestones. Your project should be composed of milestones, each of which has a completion date, funding amount and deliverables. Funding should be denominated in Urbit stars. Each milestone can receive payout upon completion.

Generally, your proposal's first milestone should be targeted within 2 months, and proposals should have a maximum of five milestones.

For writing guidance, you can look at past completed grants here

2. Submit your Application

Using the grant application link, send in your proposal.

Each grant has a champion, an experienced community member who will help you, keep track of the grant, and be your point of contact. Usually, we will assign a champion for you. However, if you have a choice of champion in mind, please mention that in the application.

3. Get Approved

After applying, we will review your application. In some cases, we may schedule a quick follow-up interview.

4. Sign a Contract

If your application is accepted, you will undergo a quick KYC process and recieve a contract for signature.

5. Work and Get Paid

After you've finished your work on a given milestone, you can receive a payout. To do so, contact your champion and demonstrate to them that you've completed the work. After they verify your work and send their approval to the Foundation, you can submit an invoice.

Once we receive both approval and an invoice for a milestone, we will pay your reward to the ETH address you provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I talk to people about grants?

What are grants funded with?

How much funding should I request?

Do grants have a timeline?

Can I modify an already approved grant?

Can grants be cancelled?

When will I hear back about my proposal?

What does a champion do?

What paperwork will I need to fill out?

How does the payment process work?

Are there any tax implications to receiving stars?