{"signature": "0x3d850f307ac893846a66c75a4979526d7aa0dba109b0d7675f9d6b0cc6d25b0659c7970d778ba885d9775f15b8cd06b2e1010c1b86adc00cc8208836cee59c671b", "application": {"round": "0x0c0412ddb846096ea1e37de717921ebf4fef9a39", "answers": [{"type": "email", "hidden": true, "question": "Email Address", "questionId": 0, "encryptedAnswer": {"ciphertext": "WYsd5V7RWJWwx2YrRfl40uxbEPex4/hdzzae9LNLfBsvCzZyz9aD2jDlL6g9PbIW", "encryptedSymmetricKey": "b4c73a5b7804c3b0eba2561885836c8be21563fc40fea6828507b1e964d2c02638a7c2f23129b4734e6e2dd179e84103bc4774177c8fa8be074e8914a5353337276677ccb4ab6227d697c60f9f198248bab4463aea02bf7f717bbbba7e02e9a3624cf3918ecacf9b7595b045441a02cd90f18c09a7a6bac589c7d221ddc5dcb500000000000000201fa49b311da43fbf69f7d0c038367fc1f5f65228b6a60a6e8a9cd938a8332f93e6beebaa7b68e2b4f93fb26c31f27282"}}, {"type": "short-answer", "answer": "Self-funding, crowdfunding and sponsorship", "hidden": false, "question": "Funding Sources", "questionId": 1}, {"type": "number", "answer": "5", "hidden": false, "question": "Team Size", "questionId": 2}, {"type": "short-answer", "hidden": true, "question": "Telegram username", "questionId": 3}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "110K", "hidden": true, "question": "Total prior funding for project in USD", "questionId": 4}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "@HiroTHamadaJP\n@nimotougou\nhttps://x.com/46takagi", "hidden": true, "question": "Profiles or socials of other main team members publicly associated with project", "questionId": 5}, {"type": "short-answer", "answer": "17", "hidden": true, "question": "How old is the project? (Months)", "questionId": 6}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "**DeSci Tokyo** was established in **2023** to address critical challenges in Japan’s scientific ecosystem, such as **declining research quality** and **inefficiencies in technology transfer**. DeSci Tokyo aims to introduce **decentralized science (DeSci)** principles, fostering a more **resilient** and **regeneratable (sustainable)** research environment.\n\nThe organization seeks to **decentralize governance, infrastructure, and ecosystems** within science, empowering diverse stakeholders and promoting **open access to knowledge**. For example, in **2024**, we co-hosted **Funding the Commons Tokyo**, which explores innovative funding models, and projects such as the **Dig DAO Matching Donation** initiative, which uses **Quadratic Funding** to allocate resources based on community preferences to the digital commons. This initiative is particularly supported by us because it aligns with our mission of exploring **innovative research ecosystems** by providing a balanced approach between **direct citizen funding** and **expert-led distribution**, allowing citizens to directly back research they find meaningful.\n\nIn **2023**, DeSci Tokyo launched our initiatives by hosting meetups, publishing articles, and organizing a major DeSci conference. As mentioned, in **2024**, we successfully hosted the **Funding the Commons Tokyo** conference with brilliant speakers such as **Audrey Tang**, **Glen Weyl**, and **Ken Suzuki** etc.. For the rest of **2024**, we remain committed to supporting philanthropy initiatives in Japan, such as **Dig DAO**, and are preparing to release a **whitepaper on decentralized science** by **mid-2025**. These efforts aim to create a lasting impact on Japan’s scientific ecosystem and pioneer new approaches to research and funding.", "hidden": false, "question": "Describe your project in a few paragraphs (ideally including a problem statement, solution, roadmap, and timeline for implementation)", "questionId": 7}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "Our organization, **DeSci Tokyo**, directly aligns with and supports the mission and goals of **decentralized science (DeSci)** by addressing critical challenges, especially focusing on Japan's scientific ecosystem through **innovative, decentralized approaches**. We aim to decentralize key aspects of scientific research, including **governance, infrastructure, and ecosystems**, to create a more **regeneratable** and **resilient** environment for research and innovation.\n\nBy hosting conferences like **Funding the Commons Tokyo** this year and supporting experimental funding projects such as the **Dig DAO Matching Donation** initiative, we are exploring and implementing new models for **funding** and **resource allocation** that are more reflective of **community preferences**. These initiatives not only promote **open access to knowledge** but also empower diverse stakeholders to participate in and shape the future of science. In doing so, our project embodies the core principles of **DeSci**, fostering a more **\"nameraka\"**, **democratic**, and **effective** scientific landscape in Japan.", "hidden": false, "question": "How does your project support the mission or goals of DeSci?", "questionId": 8}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "**DeSci Tokyo** will use funds from the grants program to support key initiatives, advancing our mission to **decentralize** and **innovate** Japan's scientific ecosystem and to deliver **Japanese regional** but **innovative practices** and **thoughts** that have emerged in Japan to the world.", "hidden": false, "question": "Describe how funds from the grants program will be used for your project. ", "questionId": 9}, {"type": "paragraph", "hidden": true, "question": "If you participated in past grant rounds (i.e. DeSci GR15/ Beta) using a different project payout wallet address, please share it here.", "questionId": 10}, {"type": "paragraph", "answer": "Since the last grant round, DeSci Tokyo has achieved key milestones:\n\n1. **Funding the Commons Tokyo Conference:**  \n   We successfully co-hosted a major event, expanding our network and increasing awareness of decentralized science in Japan.\n\n2. **Dig DAO Matching Donation Project:**  \n   We launched additional rounds of this project, using Quadratic Funding (QF) to support digital public goods, attracting more participants and demonstrating the effectiveness of decentralized funding models.\n\n3. **Research and Publications:**  \n   We've published new articles and are preparing a whitepaper on decentralized science, solidifying our position as a leading voice in the field.\n\nThese milestones highlight our continued progress and commitment to advancing decentralized science.\n", "hidden": false, "question": "If this project participated in past grant rounds, please share any new updates or milestones since the last round.", "questionId": 11}, {"type": "paragraph", "hidden": true, "question": "Is there any other information you would like to share about your project, previous work, other project affiliations, or potential conflicts of interest? (or anything not covered elsewhere in this application that you feel is relevant to share)", "questionId": 12}, {"type": "checkbox", "answer": ["Yes"], "hidden": false, "question": "Does 50% of your team reflect the diversity of the community your project serves with a particular emphasis on including women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC), individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community?", "questionId": 13}, {"type": "multiple-choice", "answer": "I already read the above exclusion criteria and understand those exclusion criteria are not permitted and will result in rejection or removal from the round.", "hidden": true, "question": "Please read the following exclusion criteria that are not permitted and will result in rejection or removal from the round.", "questionId": 14}], "project": {"id": "0x8d590a9d748884846dbcca625d5f10b0cb9292ba6a04ac98a9a3d32b314fcbcf", "title": "DeSci Tokyo", "logoImg": "bafkreid7ga5prar6e74k7sd4sdbup26zjzpok4dwkfglkh7guqvuxmd764", "metaPtr": {"pointer": "bafkreibhm4vxucvilxggpixqegvo6spvgwhhucqqkxepfp5al2fcvyzalu", "protocol": "undefined"}, "website": "https://desci-tokyo.jp/", "bannerImg": "bafkreihuwis3v5yw2oqonprerwkk5qzpjql3f6du34z727vdrdni4u2uvq", "createdAt": 1713791276291, "credentials": {"twitter": {"type": ["VerifiableCredential"], "proof": {"jws": "eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSIsImNyaXQiOlsiYjY0Il0sImI2NCI6ZmFsc2V9..2bF4bpsrf3lV07k12Gs3jZkAM1ApRQljf9pNcUWqGYlVnW-hfZTizU1znXkYpcQxt_mhZHa7yP2Fa9-jEeXWBw", "type": "Ed25519Signature2018", "created": "2024-08-10T22:51:05.865Z", "proofPurpose": "assertionMethod", "verificationMethod": "did:key:z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC#z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC"}, "issuer": "did:key:z6MkghvGHLobLEdj1bgRLhS4LPGJAvbMA1tn2zcRyqmYU5LC", "@context": ["https://www.w3.org/2018/credentials/v1"], "issuanceDate": "2024-08-10T22:51:05.865Z", "expirationDate": "2024-11-08T22:51:05.865Z", "credentialSubject": {"id": "did:pkh:eip155:1:0x37F890E0De63b6974D41040bEDa834CA15740a11", "hash": "v0.0.0:8Ph3Rg+iHiqzAdpEC0FZ/AdReDJ2aerb+1bJjon4vu8=", "@context": [{"hash": "https://schema.org/Text", "provider": "https://schema.org/Text"}], "provider": "ClearTextTwitter#DeSciTokyo"}}}, "description": "\n## **What is DeSci Tokyo?**\nDeSci Tokyo, which started in 2023, is an exploratory organization aimed at addressing systemic challenges in the Japanese science ecosystem. Here’s a detailed summary of what DeSci Tokyo is and its goals:\n\n## Overview:\n### Purpose: \nDeSci Tokyo seeks to tackle key issues in the Japanese science landscape, including declining research quality, a reduced number of Ph.D. holders, and inadequate technology transfer processes and introduce DeSci Tokyo and our vision for inventing new forms of science.\n### Vision: \nThe organization envisions transforming traditional scientific practices by introducing innovative approaches to research and data management.\nSite: https://desci-tokyo.jp/\n\n\n# **2023**\nIn 2023, we hosted three social meetups and wrote multiple articles including an academic paper.\n\n## Meetups \n- DeSci Labs with Dr.Hill\n- Scisets with Dr. Hsia\n- AthenaDAO\n\n## Articles:\n### Impact Citations\nhttps://mirror.xyz/hirotaiyohamada.eth/4kc5T0_aQU4BsUfFJC9eER1jF6h80oj4mjBHvJFmHOw\n\n### Emerging Trends in Decentralized Science (DeSci) in Japan\nhttps://mirror.xyz/hirotaiyohamada.eth/3rNTPZLm3mRIysZ8tVvYwE5uP8aPp5N4L2egEzgtJP0\n\n### Hamada, 2024. A novel ecosystem by decentralized\nscience: Roles of DeSci.Tokyo. INFOSTA, 74 (3). https://doi.org/10.18919/jkg.74.3_86\n\nWe organized one of the largest DeSci conferences in the world and raising over * $ 50K * by crowdfunding and sponsorships.\nhttps://academist-cf.com/projects/290/progresses/3607?lang=en\n\n\n# **2024**\nIn 2024, we co-hosted a large conference, Funding the Commons Tokyo,in Shibuya, Japan. \n\n# Funding the Commons\n### What is Funding the Commons?\nThe Funding the Commons explores innovative funding models for supporting public goods and shared resources, also known as \"commons.\" It highlights sustainable and equitable approaches, such as decentralized finance and community-driven initiatives, to address the challenges of funding common-pool resources. It hosts multiple international conferences to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss and advance these funding models.\n\n## What was Funding the Commons Tokyo?\nFunding the Commons Tokyo is a conference focusing on innovative funding models for regenerating public goods and common even though we have been facing challenges such as declining population.\n\n### Day 1:\nThe conference opens with talks on decentralized science and emerging technologies. Key topics include funding for deeptech, AI democratization using Web3, and lab automation. The afternoon covers Japan's economic strategy, academic metrics, and the intersection between science and citizenship. The day ends with discussions on decentralizing research and DeSci DAO architecture. \n### Day 2:\nThe focus shifts to digital public goods and institutional innovations. Day 2 highlights digital public goods accelerators, quadratic funding experiments in Japan, and blockchain solutions for social good. The afternoon covers topics like East Asia's population decline, AI in governance, and funding digital infrastructure. The conference concludes with talks on AI-Commerce alignment and designing for plurality, featuring speakers like Audrey Tang and Glen Weyl. This day emphasizes practical applications in governance, community building, and future technologies.\n\n\n### Speakers:\n- ​Audrey Tang (Plurality.net)\n- ​Glen Weyl (Plurality Institute)\n- ​Aya Miyaguchi (Ethereum Foundation)\n- Cheeky Gorilla (Protocol Guild)\n- ​Ryota Kanai (Araya Inc.)\n- Ken Suzuki (Smart News Inc.)\n- Hiro Hamada (Araya Inc.)\n- Gus Domel (Boost VC)\n- Yusuke Obinata (Polkadot)\n- Cheryl Ng (UNICEF)\n- Masaaki Taira (the House of Representatives in Japan)\n\n​Previous conferences included public goods thought-leaders such as Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Juan Benet (Protocol Labs), Kevin Owocki (Gitcoin), Karl Floersch (Optimism),  Sarah Horowitz (Freelancers Union), Jaan Tallinn (Skype, Future of Life Institute & Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, CSER, at Cambridge University), Isabela Fernandes (Tor Project), Tom Kalil (Schmidt Ventures), and many more.\n\n# **Funding Practice in Japan**\nDig DAO Matching Donation Project: Innovating Digital Public Goods Funding\nThe Dig DAO, a Web3 research group spun off from Japan's Digital Agency, is exploring new approaches to public goods and individual contribution visibility. Led by prominent figures like Joi Ito and Hal Seki, the group is running various projects, including the Dig DAO Matching Donation initiative.\nThis project, with funding provided by DeSci Tokyo, utilizes Quadratic Funding (QF) to distribute resources to digital public goods. QF is a mechanism that allocates funds based on the number of contributors and the amount of donations, rather than just the amount of donations. This approach aims to better reflect citizens’ preferences and fund projects backed by broader communities.\nThe Dig DAO Matching Donation project finished its first round, with an initial funding pool of ¥100,000provided by DeSci Tokyo. 18Japanese civic-tech projects joined, and the initiative is open to any public-interest project seeking to experiment with this new funding model.\n\nDeSci Tokyo supports this initiative because:\n\n1. It aligns with their mission to explore new research ecosystems and support methods.\n2. It represents a middle ground between direct citizen funding and indirect distribution by experts or bureaucrats.\n3. It allows citizens to directly support research they find meaningful.\n\nThe experiment is expected to reveal challenges, provide opportunities for social experimentation reflection, and increase understanding of its significance among a wider audience.\nMore details: https://www.digdao.jp/en/\n\n## **Future Practices in Decentralized Science (DeSci)**\n\nDeSci Tokyo is advancing the concept of decentralized science beyond traditional blockchain-based approaches. It redefines DeSci through three main perspectives: **governance**, **infrastructure**, and **ecosystem**. \n\n- **Decentralization in governance** involves distributing decision-making power among diverse individuals rather than centralizing it.\n- **Decentralization in infrastructure** focuses on dispersing data, intellectual property, and AI models across a broader network rather than centralizing them in specific institutions.\n- **Decentralization in the ecosystem** emphasizes the coexistence of various independent players and institutes with unique goals and methodologies.\n\nThis broader perspective acknowledges that while blockchain can support decentralized systems, it's not a prerequisite for DeSci. Alternatives like IPFS and quadratic funding, which do not rely on blockchain, exemplify this. DeSci Tokyo aims to foster this inclusive vision by supporting smaller research groups, enhancing decentralized infrastructure for knowledge and IP sharing, and stimulating new research models. Our roadmap includes hosting conferences/meetups, experimenting with quadratic funding, and releasing a whitepaper by **mid-2025**.\nSee our details : https://mirror.xyz/0xBc5CBb9ED745dAc0F9f125a4d178804EA6e2373a/oUnJj1_jtBwaiCdH7PP0g12C3Xqzf0J0kq-MrWQ91fI\n\n\nHelp us in this round to proceed this movement in Japan for the rest of 2024 and our future!!!\nAdditionally, to keep you updated,  **please follow our X!**\n", "lastUpdated": 0, "projectTwitter": "DeSciTokyo"}, "recipient": "0x37F890E0De63b6974D41040bEDa834CA15740a11"}}