Soulforge 🗡️✨

Soulforge 🗡️✨

$100k dedicated to the Soul Society of Plonky3/Circom Development supported by Polygon

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As part of zkBankai’s commitment to the zero-knowledge (zk) landscape, we are excited to launch a comprehensive $100k grants program focused on supporting innovative development, research, and education efforts closely related to Plonky3 and CIRCOM, supported by Polygon Labs 💜.

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🗝️ Key Details

  • Total Grant Pool: $100,000
  • Application Start Date: Sept 11, 2024
  • Application Period: (30 days)
  • Focus Areas: Projects related to implementation, improvements or experimentations around Plonky3 and CIRCOM, with a focus on creativity and technical ingenuity.

💡 Project Ideas

We encourage projects that demonstrate creativity and technical depth. Some potential ideas include:

  • Plonky3 Performance Enhancements/Utilisation: Experiment with ways to optimize the efficiency and speed of proving systems using Plonky3, or apply it to novel use cases.
  • Circom Libraries/Tools: Create new libraries, developer tools, or frameworks to enhance CIRCOM’s usability and adoption.
  • Cross-Protocol Experimentation: Implement hybrid solutions that leverage both Plonky3 and CIRCOM or explore their integration into other zero-knowledge protocols.
  • Educational Resources: Develop tutorials, workshops, or documentation that make Plonky3 and Circom more accessible to the community.
  • Real-World Use Cases: Build applications or proof-of-concepts that demonstrate the potential impact of these technologies in industries like finance, gaming, or privacy-focused applications.
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To qualify for this grant, you don’t need to start a project from scratch, but your submission must demonstrate new work. You can build upon existing projects by porting them to Plonky3 or CIRCOM (as long as licenses allow) or contribute to an ongoing open-source project. However, it’s important to show clear, original contributions. Ensure that the maintainers of the project support your contribution, and tie milestone achievements to the successful integration of your work into the existing project.

An overview of zkBankai Projects can be found here. Feel free to contribute or extend the repos using Plonky3 or CIRCOM as a part of this grant program.

🗃️ Reference Material

Github Repos

Bonus: CIRCOM component implemented in Polygon zkEVM Prover

👏 Team

SoulForge Grants Evaluators and Mentors

This committee consists of prominent individuals and organizations. Our goal is to foster advancements and exploration of Plonky3 and CIRCOM. We have an independent board responsible for evaluating applications and providing feedback.

SoulForge Grants Evaluators

SoulForge Grants Mentors

📜 Guidelines

To ensure a smooth and transparent process, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Open Source Requirement: All code and research produced must be open-sourced, with code available under permissive licenses such as MIT or Apache 2.0, and not rely on closed-source software for complete functionality.
  • Clear Objectives: Projects should have clear and achievable goals with specific outcomes related to the chosen technology.
  • Progress Milestones: Break down your project into well-defined milestones that can be tracked and evaluated over time.
  • No Double Funding: We do not award grants for projects that have raised funds through token sales or venture capital rounds.
  • No Token Focus: Applications should not mention or promote any specific token; the focus should strictly be on the project being developed.
  • Grant Completion: Teams must complete one grant before applying for another.
  • Ethical Projects Only: We do not support projects that promote gambling, illicit trade, or any illegal activities.
  • Timeline: Ensure the proposed project can be completed within 2 months of the proposals acceptance.
  • Collaborative Spirit: We encourage collaboration across teams and the broader zero-knowledge ecosystem.

✏️ Application Process

Please go to “Submit an Application” for entire application plan.

〽️ Timeline

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🚚 Delivery & Payment

  • Payment Structure: Grants will be distributed in installments based on the image ref. above, completion of pre-defined milestone [Milestone 1 and Milestone 2] .
  • Milestone Reporting: Teams are required to submit progress reports at each milestone, demonstrating achievements and any challenges faced.
  • Final Delivery: Upon successful completion of the project, final phase of payments will be made after a thorough review of the deliverables.

🫶 Support

Grant recipients will have access to:

  • Technical Mentorship: Receive guidance from experienced developers and experts in the zero-knowledge and cryptography field.
  • Community Exposure: Showcase your work to a global community of developers, researchers, and innovators through our official channels.
  • Resources: Get access to dedicated channels for support, collaboration, and networking.

The program offers grants and feedback on milestones, but we do not provide hands-on support. However, if you face specific issues, our mentors may help direct you to the right resources.

For any queries, you can reach out to:

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FAQs

Supported by Polygon