# Grants Committee: Q3 2025 Review **URL:** \ **Category:** CoW Grants Program\ **Created:** [October 3, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.cow.fi/t/grants-committee-q3-2025-review/3208 "2025-10-03T18:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mfw78](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.cow.fi/mfw78/32/1598_2.png) [@mfw78](https://forum.cow.fi/u/mfw78)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2025, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.cow.fi/t/grants-committee-q3-2025-review/3208/1 "2025-10-03T18:40:36Z")
Q3 2025 marked a period of operational continuity and development for the CoW DAO Grants Committee. Following the work established in H1, the committee successfully delivered key grants, navigated membership changes, and began exploring new approaches to funding mechanisms while maintaining operations. ## Committee Composition Changes **Major Transition** : The committee experienced a change in Q3 with Kubesqrt stepping down on August 5th, 2025. With this, the committee now has the following members: **Current Committee Composition** (Post Q3): - @mfw78 - Technical lead - @Chim9 - Grant steward, administrative coordinator - @middleway.eth - Core Team member, grant stewardship - @Master_CoW - Core Team member, strategic alignment - @Sov - Grant steward, operations specialist **Core Team Liaison** : @NotSoFormal has taken on the role of liaison between the grants committee and the CoW core team, facilitating coordination and providing strategic input on grant alignment with core team priorities. **Safe Infrastructure Update** : Following Kubesqrt’s departure, the committee updated the grants safe structure: - **Previous** : 4/6 multisig - **Current** : 3/5 multisig (implemented September 16th, 2025) - **Benefits** : Maintains security while significantly reducing signing burden and addressing previous transaction delays ## Major Grant Completions & Outcomes ### Successfully Delivered Projects 1. **Python SDK (cow-py) - COMPLETED** 2. **Framework Agnostic SDK - COMPLETED** 3. **Data Pipeline for CoWAMM Pools - COMPLETED** 4. **ZeroMEV Infrastructure Maintenance - CONCLUDED** ## Retroactive Funding **Development** : Q3 saw progress on the retroactive funding initiative, with @Sov leading the framework development. **Marketing Preparation** : Coordinated social media outreach prepared for announcement, with collaboration between grants committee and CoW marketing team. **Philosophy** : Focus on rewarding “demonstrated impact rather than upfront promises” - a shift from traditional grant models. **Timeline** : Framework preparation completed in Q3, with launch targeting broader ecosystem participation. ## Active Evaluations & Challenges ### Ongoing Assessments 1. **Internationalization (i18n) RFP - PAUSED** 2. **Processing Efficiency Improvements** ## RFP Development & Strategic Planning ### Recent RFP Initiatives **September RFP Planning** : Committee effort focused on developing new RFPs based on Core Team feedback and wider ecosystem needs: 1. **Governance Dashboard Enhancement RFP** 2. **CoW Playground Formalization** 3. **Backend Diagnostics Tools** **Collaborative Development** : @Sov and @NotSoFormal leading RFP ideation with input from core team priorities and ecosystem needs. **Impact Goals** : Committee defining “challenging but achievable” targets for remainder of 2025, aligned with strategic RFP development. ## Operational Metrics & Financial Management ### Financial Position - **Safe Holdings** : Approximately 300K xDAI, providing strong operational buffer - **Monthly Operations** : Regular committee stipends and grant payments processed - **Budget Efficiency** : Maintained disciplined approach to grant allocation ### Processing Activity - **July Payments** : Committee stipend, ZeroMEV monthly, completion payments for data pipeline and Python SDK - **August Payments** : Committee stipend, final ZeroMEV payment - **September Payments** : Framework Agnostic SDK completion payments ## Core Team Coordination **Enhanced Liaison Function** : @NotSoFormal’s role as core team liaison improved coordination between grants committee and core team priorities. **Strategic Alignment** : Regular collaboration on grant evaluation, particularly for technical infrastructure grants requiring core team input. **RFP Validation** : Core team involvement in RFP development ensuring feasibility and strategic alignment. ## Process Improvements ### Implemented Improvements - **Safe Infrastructure** : Streamlined from 4/6 to 3/5 multisig, resolving transaction delay issues - **Core Team Coordination** : Enhanced through @NotSoFormal liaison role - **RFP Pipeline** : Worked with the Core Team to identifying and developing strategic RFPs ### Supporting Infrastructure - **Discord/Discourse Integration** : Administrative access discussions ongoing for improved coordination - **Documentation** : Maintained tracking of grant progress and committee decisions ## Looking Forward ### Immediate Priorities 1. **RFP Launch** : Finalize and publish prioritized RFPs for governance dashboard and playground formalization by mid-October 2. **Retroactive Funding** : Continue sourcing proposals and driving interest from builders to the retro round 3. **Committee Renewal** : Prepare forum update and CIP renewal for end of year 4. **Ecosystem Expansion** : Sov engaged with Core Team via DAO to pursue targeted ecosystem grants. ### Strategic Goals - **Ecosystem Growth** : Support targeted infrastructure development through strategic RFPs - **Quality Maintenance** : Continue high standards while improving processing efficiency through structural improvements ## Conclusion Q3 2025 demonstrated the CoW DAO Grants Committee’s transition from operational stabilization to strategic growth initiatives. Key achievements include successful completion of high-impact grants—particularly the Framework Agnostic SDK now integrated into CoW Swap—resolution of operational inefficiencies through structural changes, and strategic RFP development targeting ecosystem priorities. The committee has navigated membership transitions while establishing a foundation for meaningful performance and impact in Q4 2025. The period established clear momentum toward scalable, targeted grant distribution aligned with core team priorities and ecosystem development needs. ---
**Author:** ![vegayp](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.cow.fi/vegayp/32/1454_2.png) [@vegayp](https://forum.cow.fi/u/vegayp)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 9:45am UTC](https://forum.cow.fi/t/grants-committee-q3-2025-review/3208/2 "2025-10-06T09:45:50Z")
This is amazing! May I add, if it is possible to add links to the projects? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Sov](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forum.cow.fi/sov/32/1295_2.png) [@Sov](https://forum.cow.fi/u/Sov)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.cow.fi/t/grants-committee-q3-2025-review/3208/3 "2025-10-16T17:32:47Z")
Thanks for the kind words! All of them have submitted proposals and are tracked here in the forum under the grants section.