Note
refer to pZEIP procedure for instructions on how to submit a pZEIP.›
ZRX Pathways is a community-based initiative that aims to make the protocol more performant, innovative, and sustainable via the implementation of enabling structures and actionable pathways, providing a better experience for core protocol contributors.
0x Improvement Proposals (ZEIPs) describe standards and protocol specifications for the 0x protocol.
Core protocol contributors working on ZEIPs may need funding to resource their efforts. This experiment is designed to improve the contributor experience by accelerating the grant process for ZRX Pathways-sponsored contributors working on preliminary ZEIPs (pZEIPs).
This experiment is designed to produce learnings and improvements related to the following desired outcome. It incorporates a user story + hypothesis framing:
How might we make it easier for developers to contribute to the core protocol contracts?
As a [role], I want [goal/desire], so that [benefit].
As a developer, I want to minimize the time and effort associated with grant processes, so that I can focus on the functional job to be done.
We believe [this capability] will result in [this outcome]. We will know we have succeeded when [measurable signal].
We believe that a bespoke grant application and process will result in faster funding. We will know we have succeeded when we see an increase in contributor applications, which is a signal that more contributors are comfortable with the process.
This experiment has two components:
- Grant application template
- Decision process
While the accelerated process streamlines funding, it imposes more rigor on the technical specifications and enforces a per-request (incremental) funding structure to balance the risk.
This template is specific to ZRX Pathways. It incorporates elements of the established ZEIP template. It is designed for protocol contributors who are seeking funding from the treasury and has three goals:
- Frontload technical rigor associated with ZEIPs to inform and accelerate the development process
- Reduce the administrative burden of managing information tangential to the development process
- Mitigate risks associated with accelerated decision-making for community-based funding
The template represents the information that will be required to submit a ZEIP for an onchain vote. As the process of development is iterative by nature, some information may not be fully fleshed out early in the process. Nevertheless, the information provided should demonstrate a thoughtful design and development process, with progressively more mature data and descriptions if incremental funding is sought.
This process is specific to ZRX Pathways. It is designed for core contributors working with ZRX Pathways who are seeking funding from the treasury and has one goal:
- Reduce the time between application submittal and funds disbursal
The process will include the same steps as the existing 0x Grant process, except that the governance forum post and snapshot vote will run concurrently for five days. If the snapshot vote passes, ZRX Pathways will submit the proposal for an onchain vote. This reduces the timeline from 5-6 weeks to 2-3 weeks, depending on the onchain proposal delay (queue).
