[](https://postimg.cc/nM0Y2nQJ)

Welcome, **Explorers** and **Alchemists**.

You’ve just stumbled into a coordination experiment disguised as a research program. The [Cookie Jar Research](https://research.allo.capital/t/decentralized-research-funding-using-cookie-jar/122) Raid. This is our attempt to unlock *community-driven capital allocation research*.

> **Your mission:**
Explore the domain of on-chain coordination. Return with insights that can make Allo flow :droplet:.

---
# WTF Research Raid?

Research Raids are seasonal, time-boxed research sprints that will seek to turn **collective intelligence into coordination infrastructure** for Ethereum-aligned ecosystems.

This Raid will be a **6-week research sprint**, where selected **Explorers** and **Alchemists** will dive into allocators pain points, coordination frictions, and UX blockers. Returning with insights, prototypes, and artifacts to evolve Ethereum’s public goods stack and TVF outcomes. This raid is governed by **conviction voting on Gardens**, and uses a weekly [Cookie Jar](https://cookiejar.wtf) to fund a small cohort of researchers that will:

1. Explore research prompts
2. Share insights
3. Produce artifacts that unblock real capital flow
4. Seed reusable **refined prompts, emergent patterns, and prototypes** for future builders and buildings

[](https://postimg.cc/LJhnfbtp)

---

# Roles

|Role|Core Function|Weekly Commitment|
| --- | --- | --- |
|**Explorer**|Deep-dive into one Research Track prompt; produce outputs|5–6 h|
|**Alchemist**|Sense-make across Exploration Tracks; weave insights; steward the Raid OS|5–6 h|

# Research Tracks

The research raid is designed around **three exploration tracks** and **one alchemy track**. These prompts frame the big questions we aim to answer. Explorers will tackle the track prompts in the **Explorer Circle** thread, and Alchemists will synthesize insights in the **Alchemist Circle** thread.

## Exploration

> ### Track 1: Allocator Pain Mapping & Signal Architectures
>
> **Prompt:**
> How do different types of allocators (DAO stewards, ReFi leads, NGOs, L2 teams) experience friction in making capital allocation decisions. And what kinds of signals help them trust where to send funds?
>
> **Why it matters:**
> This track supports the “broad listening” challenge. Understanding allocator perception is key to designing mechanisms that move real capital.
>
> **Sub-questions you might explore:**
>
> * What makes a coordination effort legible to funders?
> * How do allocators differ in their readiness to act on signals?
> * What patterns emerge in ecosystem “cold spots” where good work goes unfunded?
>---
> ### Track 2: Growth, Activation & Strategic Readiness
>
> **Prompt:**
> What conditions make an ecosystem (e.g. DeSci hub, ReFi group, city DAO) “funding-ready”? And how can we detect and support these inflection points before they fade?
>
> **Why it matters:**
> This track aligns with vertical adoption efforts from Allo, Gitcoin, and the Ethereum Foundation. Especially around sustaining momentum in emerging ecosystems.
>
> **Sub-questions you might explore:**
>
> * What signal mix precedes successful rounds or pilots?
> * When do ecosystems stall despite capital or talent?
> * What does “shipping velocity” look like in practice?
>---
> ### Track 3: Product & Mechanism R&D (UX, Coordination, Interop)
>
> **Prompt:**
> Where are developers and contributors dropping off in the Ethereum coordination stack? And what UX, mechanism, or protocol designs could reduce those frictions without adding overhead?
>
> **Why it matters:**
> UX is one of EF’s core priorities. Understanding contributor pain and reducing coordination overhead is key to ecosystem resilience.
>
> **Sub-questions you might explore:**
>
> * What barriers stop new contributors from maintaining open infra?
> * What types of stateless flows can reduce user fatigue?
> * What lessons can we borrow from Solana, Stellar, or NEAR app flows?
---
## Alchemy

>### Meta track: Evolving the Raid OS
>**Prompt:**
>*How might we design Cookie Jar Raid OS to unlock 10× researcher throughput and TVF?*
>
>
> **Why it matters:**
>* Supports deeper application-layer infrastructure design
>* Resonates with EF’s focus on UX, coordination, and governance
>* Helps Allo, Gitcoin, and others evolve intent-based capital flow
>* Serves ecosystem stewards looking for reusable research systems
>
> **Sub-questions to explore**
>
> * What design patterns or blockers are recurring across Tracks?
> * How might prompts evolve into products, patterns, or new roles?
> * When do meta-items actually reduce friction, and when do they add it?
> * How do we know when a research insight is TVF-relevant or funding-ready?
> * How should we version rules, approve changes, and assess impact, through TVF and other metrics?
> * Where can smart-contracts, bots, EAS, or templates replace manual bottlenecks?
> * Which raid rules & meta-items drive the most collaboration value, and which add noise?
> * Quorum & votings – Hypercert weightschema – TVF-reflection rubric
>---
Alchemists don’t pick a Track, they track the Tracks. This prompt asks them to surface the design patterns, coordination insights, and infrastructure upgrades that emerge as the Raid unfolds. Their job is to spot systemic learnings and make them useful not just now, but for future Raids and funding experiments.

---
## How can you participate?
- Choose your role
- Submit your proposal in one of the **2 signaling Pools** created on [Gitcoin Grants Garden](https://app.gardens.fund/gardens/10/0x1eba7a6a72c894026cd654ac5cdcf83a46445b08/0xd3345828914b740fddd1b8ae4f4d2ce03d1e0960)
- _**Explorers Pool**_
- _**Alchemists Pool**_
- **Only Allo NFT holders** will be allowlisted to vote.
- **Ranked conviction voting** will determine the selected cohort:
- **Top 4 Explorers**
- **Top 3 Alchemists**

Selection will favor:
- Alignment with Allo’s real-world questions and strategy
- Clear scoping and realistic deliverables
- Creativity and praticality

---

## Rewards

- Each selected participant receives **0.08 ETH / week** from the Cookie Jar.
- Weekly updates links (Circle Threads and replies) are required to claim.
- Missed updates = 1 week - forfeited payout for that week, 2 weeks - removed by the Raid Council

---

## Forum Threads
To track everything, we’ll use three main threads:

- ` [Research Raid #1] – Call to Adventure – Ethereum’s Biggest Problems`
- ` [Research Raid #1] – Explorers Circle`
- ` [Research Raid #1] – Alchemists Circle`

These will be the official hubs for weekly updates, meta-item usage, and shared discoveries.

---

## Timeline

- **July 21** – Call to Adventure
- **Aug 05** – Gardens selection ends
- **Aug 06** – Raid Begins
- **September 20** – Raid Chronicle published

---

## Meta-Items

Meta-items are specific processes designed to reduce friction and unlock collective intelligence. For this Raid, here’s what’s live:

| Meta-Item | Function | Who Can Use It | Activation Protocol |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| **Research Aid**| Call for help, feedback, or peer review. Tag `@Alchemists` in your post. | Explorers | Tag in your thread when you need signal support. |
| **Signal Beacon** | Launch a lightweight sensemaking tool (poll, Slido, form). | Alchemists | Community outreach + summary in Alchemist Circle. |
| **Prompt Fragment** | Post a distilled research insight or prompt seed. May evolve into future raid themes. | Alchemists | Post directly in the Alchemists Circle. |
| **Call the Wizard** | Schedule a 30-min call with Kevin (or a designated Wizard). Max 3 per raid. | Alchemists | Tag `@owocki` in the Alchemist Circle to coordinate.|
| **Party** | Propose a co-working or brainstorm session to align or energize the group. | Alchemists and Explorers | Share time, agenda, and host info in either Circle. |

---

## What To Include in Your Proposal (via Gardens Pool)

- Your research focus or synthesis intent
- What track (or lane) you’ll contribute to
- What artifact(s) you plan to produce
- TVF Impact Statement (**Example:** _“If adopted, this work could unlock $X of value for Y allocator group, by Z mechanism.”)_
- A **TVF Reflection** on the statement will be required at the end of the raid from all participants.

## Ready to enter the Raid?

Get the templates below, submit your proposal in the respective Garden pool, and get ready to blaze a trail.

### [Explorers Submission Pool](https://app.gardens.fund/gardens/10/0x1eba7a6a72c894026cd654ac5cdcf83a46445b08/0xd3345828914b740fddd1b8ae4f4d2ce03d1e0960/161)

## Explorer Application – [Your Wallet]

**1. Track you're applying to (pick one):**  
[ ] Track 1 – Allocator Pain Mapping & Signal Architectures  
[ ] Track 2 – Growth, Activation & Strategic Readiness  
[ ] Track 3 – Product & Mechanism R&D (UX, Coordination, Interop)

**2. Why this track excites you (max 4 sentences):**  
Tell us why this question matters to you. What drives your curiosity here?

**3. Relevant experience:**  
Any work, research, or contributions that show you’re ready for this topic. Links welcome.

**4. Research approach (3 bullet outline):**  
How do you plan to explore this question? Interviews, dashboards, diagrams, forum archeology, etc.

**5. Intended output format:**  
What form will your final artifact take? Report, prototype, Figma flow, data viz, strategy brief, etc.

**6. TVF Impact Statement (max 150 words):**  
If adopted, how might this research unlock future value flow? Who benefits, and how?

### [Alchemists Submission Pool](https://app.gardens.fund/gardens/10/0x1eba7a6a72c894026cd654ac5cdcf83a46445b08/0xd3345828914b740fddd1b8ae4f4d2ce03d1e0960/162)

## Alchemist Application – [Your Wallet]

**1. Why this excites you (max 4 sentences):**  
What draws you to sensemaking, research synthesis, and meta-level insight work?

**2. Which evidence base will you focus on?**  
[ ] Allocator Archetypes (Allo)  
[ ] Ethereum’s Biggest Problems (Gitcoin + EF forum sensemaking)

**3. Relevant experience:**  
Share examples of your research, facilitation, systems thinking, or coordination background. Include links if helpful.

**4. Meta-Track focus (1–2 sentences):**  
What aspect of the funding coordination problem are you most curious to synthesize across?

**5. Weekly synthesis flow (3 bullets):**  
How will you track, connect, and surface patterns? (e.g. forum scanning, prompt harvesting, visual frameworks, workshop recaps)

**6. Meta-items you’re excited to test:**  
Which of the following meta-items will you lean on and how?  
 Signal Beacon · Prompt Fragment · Call the Wizard · Party

## Resources to Explore Before Applying

- [Gitcoin: X SPACE - Ethereum’s Biggest Problems](https://x.com/gitcoin/status/1942977015055110492)
- [Gitcoin Forum Sensemaking Threads](https://gov.gitcoin.co)
- [EF: Future of Ecosystem Development (July 2025)](https://blog.ethereum.org/2025/07/10/future-of-ecodev)
- [Allocator Archetypes](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w-ivyDmBIDoe8Ey-gPDlT2Ua0_6cEqh2O2JPLcy9RZ0/edit)
- [Capital Allocation Pattern Language (v0.1)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1007VfKNMGqX4Limj9rRj9q4IzDiBeMib4LruIJ8tQxU)
- [Allo Capital Podcast - Ethereum Biggest Problems 2025 - Tomasz Stanczak](https://youtu.be/UzVYPQKzRBM?si=xA_Ug4Sht2_QBNJo)

---
---
---

# Explorers Pool Description

## Join the Cookie Jar Research Raid as an Explorer

**Duration:** 6 weeks
**Start:** August 6 · **End:** September 20
**Weekly Reward:** 0.08 ETH

Explorers are frontline researchers. They deep-dive into a specific research prompt across one of three tracks, working to surface usable insights, prototypes, and new signals for Ethereum-aligned capital allocators.

---

## Research Tracks

- **Track 1**: Allocator Pain Mapping & Signal Architectures
- **Track 2**: Growth, Activation & Strategic Readiness
- **Track 3**: Product & Mechanism R&D (UX, Coordination, Interop)

Explore friction. Map insight. Prototype tools. Propose new primitives.

---

## Responsibilities

* Pursue a track prompt (choose one of the 3) and define your specific angle of inquiry.
* Join the **Kickoff Call** on **August 6**.
* Post a weekly update in the `Explorers Circle` thread (progress, blockers, learnings).
* Share links to your weekly thread replies on [cookiejar.wtf](https://www.cookiejar.wtf/jar/0x4E7eBA1BF7b982f4E482d5cE082a7Dd24d12A321) to claim your payout.
* Activate Meta-Items *(**Research Aid** and **Party**)* as needed
* Collaborate with Alchemists to refine your research and distill insights.
* Deliver your final Artifact, Insight Map, and TVF Reflection by the end of the Raid.
* Join the closing call.

---

## Meta-Items You’ll Use

| Meta-Item | Use Case |
| ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Scope Relief** | Request clarification, feedback, or unblockers by tagging `@Alchemists` in your thread |
| **Party** | Propose a co-work session to jam or align; share back in Explorers Circle |

---
## Possible Artifacts & Outcomes

**Insight Maps** | Allocator personas, signal maps, decision journeys
**Reports** | Forum archaeology, landscape review, coordination pain taxonomy
**Prototypes** | UX flows, dashboards, signaling mockups
**Frameworks** | Signal emergence models, readiness indices, tooling typologies
**Memos/Briefs** | “Why X ecosystem stalled”, “Signal gap analysis”

---

## Submit your proposal with the template below 👇

## Explorer Application - 
[Telegram or Discord Handle] 
[Your Wallet]

**1. Track you're applying to (pick one):**  
[ ] Track 1 – Allocator Pain Mapping & Signal Architectures  
[ ] Track 2 – Growth, Activation & Strategic Readiness  
[ ] Track 3 – Product & Mechanism R&D (UX, Coordination, Interop)

**2. Why this track excites you (max 4 sentences):**  
Tell us why this question matters to you. What drives your curiosity here?

**3. Relevant experience:**  
Any work, research, or contributions that show you’re ready for this topic. Links welcome.

**4. Research approach (3 bullet outline):**  
How do you plan to explore this question? Interviews, dashboards, diagrams, forum archeology, etc.

**5. Intended output format:**  
What form will your final artifact take? Report, prototype, Figma flow, data viz, strategy brief, etc.

**6. TVF Impact Statement (max 150 words):**  
If adopted, how might this research unlock future value flow? Who benefits, and how?

---
## Selection
- Ranked Conviction Voting (Top 4 Explorers selected)
- Voting Eligibility: **[Allo NFT](https://www.allo.capital/patron) holders**

### Evaluation Criteria
- Alignment with Allo’s real-world questions and strategy
- Clear scoping and realistic deliverables
- Creativity and praticality

---
## Follow up

Stay tuned on [Allo Research](https://research.allo.capital/) for updates. We’ll use three main threads to share the research raid insights and outcomes:

- ` [Research Raid #1] – Call to Adventure – Ethereum’s Biggest Problems`
- ` [Research Raid #1] – Explorers Circle`
- ` [Research Raid #1] – Alchemists Circle`

---
# Alchemists Pool Description

## Join the Cookie Jar Research Raid as an Alchemist

**Duration:** 6 weeks
**Start:** August 6 · **End:** September 20
**Weekly Reward:** 0.08 ETH

Alchemists in this Raid will be collectively diving into one shared prompt for the Research Raid it self. They will not choose research tracks like Explorers; instead, they will focus on weaving across all threads and evolving the Raid OS itself. Their synthesis will help to evolve prompts, meta-items, and to align researches with real-world capital flows.

---

## Meta-Track - Evolving the Raid OS

### Alchemy

**Prompt:**
*How might we architect longform, high-trust funding flows? Where ecosystem needs, community intents, and shared infrastructure converge?*

---

## Responsibilities

* Join the **Kickoff Call** on **August 6**.
* Read all Explorer updates; share a weekly digest in the `Alchemist Circle` thread.
* Coordinate with Explorers to reduce friction and support scope refinement.
* Use meta-items (see below) to surface prompts, patterns, and ecosystem signals.
* Share thread reply links on [cookiejar.wtf](https://www.cookiejar.wtf/jar/0x4E7eBA1BF7b982f4E482d5cE082a7Dd24d12A321) each week to claim your payout.
* Co-author the **Raid Chronicle** — a shareable artifact for the ecosystem.

---

## Meta-Items You’ll Activate

| Meta-Item | Use Case |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Signal Beacon** | Launch a poll, form, or interactive sensemaking tool to explore pattern salience. |
| **Prompt Fragment** | Distill an insight or question from Explorer threads; log it for future Raids. |
| **Call the Wizard** | Schedule a call with @owocki or other invited experts (up to 3 uses per Raid). |
| **Party** | Host a co-working or thematic synthesis session; publish recap in Alchemist Circle. |

---

## Possible Artifacts & Outcomes

**Digest Threads** | Weekly synthesis across Explorer tracks
**Prompt Library** | Curated prompt seeds + fragments for future raids
**Meta-Item Report** | Ledger of meta-tools used and what frictions they resolved
**Pattern Briefs** | Coordination legibility frameworks and synthesis maps
**Chronicle** | Narrative + operational summary of the Raid with recommendations
**TVF Reflections** | Statements of how these insights may unlock capital flow
**Reports and Memos** | Notes and reports summarizing ecosystem insights
**Feature Wishlist** | Review-claim flow, Forum ↔ GitHub, Chronicle generator
**Governance Playbook** | Quorum & voting, Hypercert schema, Research Raid Manual

---

## Submit your proposal with the template below 👇

## Alchemist Application 
[Telegram or Discord Handle] 
[Your Wallet]

**1. Why this excites you (max 4 sentences):**  
What draws you to sensemaking, research synthesis, and meta-level insight work?

**2. Which evidence base will you focus on?**  
[ ] Allocator Archetypes (Allo)  
[ ] Ethereum’s Biggest Problems (Gitcoin + EF forum sensemaking)

**3. Relevant experience:**  
Share examples of your research, facilitation, systems thinking, or coordination background. Include links if helpful.

**4. Meta-Track focus (1–2 sentences):**  
What aspect of the funding coordination problem are you most curious to synthesize across?

**5. Weekly synthesis flow (3 bullets):**  
How will you track, connect, and surface patterns? (e.g. forum scanning, prompt harvesting, visual frameworks, workshop recaps)

**6. Meta-items you’re excited to test:**  
Which of the following meta-items will you lean on and how?  
 Signal Beacon · Prompt Fragment · Call the Wizard · Party

---

## Selection

* Ranked Conviction Voting (Top 3 Alchemists selected)
* Voting Eligibility: **[Allo NFT](https://www.allo.capital/patron) holders**

### Evaluation Criteria

* Systems thinking and pattern recognition capacity
* Research, governance, or facilitation experience
* Intent to evolve the Raid OS with clarity and care

---

## Follow Up

Stay tuned on [Allo Research](https://research.allo.capital/) for updates. We’ll use three main threads to share the research raid insights and outcomes:

* ` [Research Raid #1] – Call to Adventure – Ethereum’s Biggest Problems`
* ` [Research Raid #1] – Explorers Circle`
* ` [Research Raid #1] – Alchemists Circle`

---