Be clear and concise — reviewers read a lot of applications, so make your answers easy to understand.

• Focus on impact — how will your project move the Stacks ecosystem forward? Who benefits?
• Be realistic — provide achievable milestones, timelines, and budgets.
• Show commitment — explain why you or your team are the right people to build this.
• Think beyond the grant — how will your project live on after Cohort 3?

Q: Do I need to be an experienced developer?
A: No. We support a wide range of projects — from community and creative initiatives to developer tools and DeFi protocols.
Q: Can I apply if I’ve received Stacks funding before?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to disclose it and explain how this proposal is different.
Q: Will my application be public?
A: Yes, for transparency all proposals are published.
Q: What’s the time commitment if I’m selected?
A: Projects are expected to deliver milestones between October 2025 - February 2026, with regular updates.
Q: How will decisions be made?
A: Applications are reviewed and scored by Stewards, with input from community discussion.

Our decision-making process is guided by 5 key evaluation review criteria. These criteria help us identify the projects with the greatest potential of benefiting the Stacks community.

• Impact Evaluating a proposed project's potential impact can lead to meaningful and positive contributions to the Stacks ecosystem.

>> If successful, how would this project benefit Stacks community members? How many community members would it affect? How many builders would it affect? How much impact would it have on the blockchain itself? Usage or otherwise.

• Feasibility Evaluating the feasibility of a proposed project is essential to ensure that it can be successfully executed. This includes assessing whether the project's goals are achievable with the available resources and within the proposed timeline.

>> Is this project achievable with the available resources and within the proposed timeline?

• Team Experience The experience and expertise of the team behind the project are one of the most important factors. A team with a track record of successful projects and relevant experience is more likely to execute the grant effectively.

>> Does the team have relevant experience and a track record of executing other projects successfully?

• Innovation and Quality We assess the project's level of innovation and the quality of the proposal, recognizing and rewarding innovative ideas and well-crafted proposals.

>> Has this been done before? If so, does it meaningfully improve on previous implementations?

• Self-Sustainability Evaluating the extent to which the proposed project demonstrates the potential for self-sustainability beyond the grant period. It assesses whether the project has clear strategies, resources, and plans in place to continue its impact and operations once the grant funding ends.

>> Does the proposal lay out a plan with clear strategies and resources for continuing project operations once grant funding ends?