Superteam is widely recognized as one of the most supportive and developer-friendly communities in the blockchain space. In November 2024, SuperteamNG awarded $99,300 in alone grants, playing a crucial role in the growth of Solana and its ecosystem. These grants have helped fuel innovation, foster collaboration, and support projects that push the boundaries of blockchain technology.

However, while the amount of funding is impressive, it’s important to understand that securing a grant from Superteam is not an easy task. The community is built upon a group of highly committed individuals who are passionate about advancing blockchain technology and fostering meaningful progress. This means that to capture their attention, you must go beyond just having an idea—you need to demonstrate your dedication, work ethic, and ability to contribute to the ecosystem.

Before diving into the process of winning a grant, let’s first clarify what a grant actually is.

What Is a Grant?

A grant is financial support provided by organizations, foundations, or blockchain projects to fund initiatives that align with their mission. In the blockchain space, grants are typically awarded to developers, researchers, startups, and community-driven projects that are working to drive innovation and increase the adoption of blockchain technology.

Grants can cover a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Development of blockchain tools or applications
• Creation of educational content
• Research projects
• Organizing community events

With that in mind, let’s explore the different types of grants you may encounter when applying for funding:

• Writing Grants: For individuals creating educational materials, documentation, or guides that make blockchain more accessible to the wider community.
• Research Grants: For those researching innovative ways to improve blockchain systems or explore new use cases.
• Development Grants: For developers building tools, dApps, or integrations that enhance the Solana ecosystem.
• Product Grants: For creators designing blockchain-based products that can solve real-world problems.
• Training Grants: For individuals hosting workshops, tutorials, or courses aimed at educating others about blockchain technology.

How to Win a Grant: Key Strategies for Success

While there’s no guaranteed formula to win a grant, several strategies can increase your chances of success. Let’s break them down.

1. Demonstrate Consistent Effort and Dedication

Looking at successful Superteam grant winners, one key trait they all share is a strong commitment to the community. Consider the examples of Amaka, who organized impactful training sessions; olawande0x, who contributed by building comprehensive documentation; @ObinnaMH, who got a grant for facilitating the Research, Writing Cohort and thelilinuel, who led training events for the community and wazobiadcreator who created video contents for the superteam community.

These individuals exemplify what it means to be an engaged, proactive member of Superteam. To stand out and increase your chances of winning a grant, you need to go the extra mile and showcase your own contributions. The more effort you put into supporting the community, the better your chances will be.

2. Create Projects That Add Real Value

Before applying for a grant, ensure you’ve already started building or organizing something meaningful. Superteam thrives on innovation, and being part of this community means you can’t afford to be average. Whether it’s developing a tool that aids the Solana ecosystem, hosting a training session to help other members learn new skills, or organizing an event to onboard new users, ensure that your project is valuable, innovative, and aligned with the goals of the community.

The key is to build something that solves a problem, adds value, and makes a tangible impact within the ecosystem.

3. Engage Actively Within the Community

One of the most effective ways to increase your chances of winning a grant is by being an active participant in the community. To do this, consider:

• Attending events (both virtual and in-person)
• Asking questions during community discussions
• Hosting Twitter Spaces or other online meetups
• Joining Superteam calls to stay connected with other members

Active engagement allows you to understand the challenges the community faces and gives you an opportunity to connect with others, share ideas, and gather feedback. The more involved you are, the better you’ll understand the needs of the ecosystem, and the more likely you’ll be to contribute in a meaningful way.

4. Consult With Your StateMod

Before submitting your grant proposal, it’s a good idea to reach out to your StateMod, a key community member who can provide guidance and feedback. StateMods are there to help applicants refine their proposals, ensure they’re aligned with the goals of the grant, and give valuable advice on the dos and don’ts of the process.

Since only the top 5% of proposals typically receive grants, working closely with your StateMod is crucial to ensure your submission is polished and impactful.

5. Build in Public

Building in public is a powerful way to get noticed and grow your reputation within the community. It allows you to share your progress, highlight milestones, and receive valuable feedback from others. More importantly, it gives decision-makers visibility into your work, making it easier for them to recognize your potential.

By building publicly, you can:

• Establish your reputation as a reliable and innovative member of the community
• Connect with like-minded individuals
• Gather feedback and refine your project based on input from others

Final Thoughts: The Impact Should Be Your Focus, Not the Grant

While securing a grant is undoubtedly a rewarding achievement, the real goal should be to create a meaningful impact, drive innovation, and support the community. These values should guide your efforts. If you focus on contributing to the ecosystem, grant funding will naturally follow.

Remember, grant winners like wazobiadcreator, olawande0x, @ObinnaMH, and thelilinuel, didn’t simply win grants by applying—they were already deeply committed to building, innovating, and supporting others in the community. Their grants were a recognition of the work they had already put in.

So, whether or not you win a grant, the most important thing is to keep building, keep innovating, and keep contributing to the growth of the Solana ecosystem. Your impact will be the true measure of your success.