Summary
The NEAR Research Collective (NRC) is seeking funding of $5,700 USD equivalent from the NEAR treasury in $NEAR or stable coins to bolster our ongoing efforts in supporting the NEAR Certified Researcher (NCR) course, facilitating learning opportunities, and nurturing a vibrant research community within the NEAR ecosystem. This funding will contribute to the operational expenses of the NRC, including compensation for facilitators and guest lecturers, as well as provide earning opportunities for students and alumni to pursue their research initiatives. By investing in our educational initiatives and community development, we aim to cultivate a robust ecosystem of researchers and innovators committed to advancing blockchain technology within the NEAR ecosystem and wider web 3 space.
Links
NCR BOS Course Page | Web 2 Course Page
Achievements / Objectives
Although the NRC is relatively new, we have achieved significant milestones:
- Enlisted six guest lecturers for the first 12-week NCR course.
- Engaged a dedicated group of 10 students actively participating in the course, completing assignments, and on track to submit their final projects.
- Collaborated with Meta Pool DAO to produce 3 articles by our researchers.
- Directed 3 researchers to the Technical Speakers Program (TSP).
- Hired and trained 2 co-facilitators Nedlar, and BGem to assist with the set-up and running of NCR course.
- Collected 7 student Final project NFT’s on the DAO from cohort 1 of the NCR course.
Our objectives for April are:
- Retain at least 12 students active in cohort 2.
- Bring on at least 3 guest lecturers.
- Fund at least 3 research proposals from alumni of the NCR course.
Objectives over Q2 include:
- Bringing on 7 or more guest lecturers for cohort 2 of the NCR course.
- Have 1 or more alumni of the NCR course be a guest lecturer in cohort 2.
- Expanding the NRC researcher role to over 100 members.
- Have atleast 10 students complete cohort 2 and be added to “alumni” group.
Student activity post-course completion:
- Staying active in the NEAR ecosystem for 6 months after the course, evidenced by on-chain activity.
- Publishing research findings in the year following certification.
- 50% or more of alumni remaining active in the NEAR Research Collective (claiming bounties, participating in polls, attending weekly insight forum etc.).
Budget
| Expense Category | Amount | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Guest Lecturers | $1,000 | Compensation for four guest lecturers ($250 each). |
| Earning Opportunities | $1,000 | Bounties for NCR students for their studies. |
| Operation | $1,200 | Support for NRC Council ($400 per member). |
| Course facilitators | $2000 | $1000 for Lead facilitator and $500 each for 2 co-facilitators |
| Research Proposals | $500 | Funds allocated for research proposals in April. |
Total Budget: $5,700
Council Members
xvii.near
hannah17.near
earnestetim.near
For more information about the NRC, including long-term goals and objectives, check out our Charter.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to continue advancing the NEAR ecosystem together.
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