Crypto-Economic Analysis of Web3 Funding Programs Using the Grant Maturity Framework
Ben Biedermann, Victoria Kozlova, Fahima Gibrel
TL;DR
The paper tackles the lack of a standardized framework for evaluating Web3 grant programs by introducing the Grant Maturity Framework (GMF), a mixed-methods, indicator-based approach inspired by GovTech maturity concepts. It applies GMF to four Ethereum Layer-2 grant programs (Arbitrum, Optimism, Mantle, Taiko), yielding a four-stage maturity classification and identifying LTIPP and Optimism's Mission Rounds as relatively mature while Mantle and Taiko remain in earlier stages. The methodology combines expert rubric scoring, Delphi-informed data collection, and min-max normalization to produce a composite GMF score that guides benchmarking and platform design. The work also demonstrates how GMF-informed insights can drive user-centric improvements to grant tooling, highlighting practical implications for grant operators and stakeholders in the Web3 ecosystem.
Abstract
Web3 grant programs are evolving mechanisms aimed at supporting innovation within the blockchain ecosystem, yet little is known on about their effectiveness. This paper proposes the concept of maturity to fill this gap and introduces the Grant Maturity Framework (GMF), a mixed-methods model for evaluating the maturity of Web3 grant programs. The GMF provides a systematic approach to assessing the structure, governance, and impact of Web3 grants, applied here to four prominent Ethereum layer-two (L2) grant programs: Arbitrum, Optimism, Mantle, and Taiko. By evaluating these programs using the GMF, the study categorizes them into four maturity stages, ranging from experimental to advanced. The findings reveal that Arbitrum's Long-Term Incentive Pilot Program (LTIPP) and Optimism's Mission Rounds show higher maturity, while Mantle and Taiko are still in their early stages. The research concludes by discussing the user-centric development of a Web3 grant management platform aimed at improving the maturity and effectiveness of Web3 grant management processes based on the findings from the GMF. This work contributes to both practical and theoretical knowledge on Web3 grant program evaluation and tooling, providing a valuable resource for Web3 grant operators and stakeholders.