Abstract#

Our friends at Open Lunar Foundation are fundraising for their research program and we have been invited to contribute as a sponsor of a researcher (or multiple).

We have previously engaged with Open Lunar to discuss governance systems for the Moon, and use their insights on the governance of MoonDAO itself. Their research fellowship program advances proposed solutions for challenges involved in living and working on the Moon, has a strong track record and as we speak they’re shortlisting from more than 75 applicants for their next round. A handful of other organizations are sponsoring a fellow through the #fundafellow campaign and we could too, and in doing so put ourselves on the map in the lunar ecosystem.

Case studies, stories from fellows, videos about the work, links to prior published research and more is available here: www.openlunar.org/fellow

Specification#

This proposal will support Moon Phase 3 (Provide funding to space research and exploration) part of our Roadmap to the Moon. The objective would be to collaborate with Open Lunar by funding their research fellowship program. For background, Open Lunar is a 501c3 nonprofit in California, catalyzing an open, cooperative, long term lunar future. They address risks of monopoly, facilitate international cooperation, and incentivise governance systems to ensure we put humanity’s best foot forward on the Moon. Open Lunar works at the intersections of policy and technology, and puts policy into action in order to set precedents. More here: openlunar.org.

This proposal aims at deciding whether we would support the Open Lunar fellowship program and what level of support we can provide.

The support tiers are classified as:

Sponsor a Fellow#

$5,000

• Invite only access to an AMA with astronaut Chris Hadfield about the future of the Moon
• An advisory relationship with a research fellow
• Access to behind the scenes new research and events with Fellows

Cohort Champion#

$25,000

• Joining Open Lunar donor circle called the Zenith Group which participates in strategic updates across all of Open Lunar’s work, VIP event access and private discussions about the sector.

Open Lunar provides wraparound support with research supervision, coaching and development, group collaboration sessions, showcase events for presenting findings and more. This is all factored into their existing costs, so our contribution is contributed directly to stipends to enable fellows to access the opportunity.

This contribution would result in a long-term relationship with Open Lunar. As #fundafellow sponsors, we will be invited to:

• Tell Open Lunar what topics or key issues for lunar development MoonDAO is interested in so they can factor that into selection of fellows.

• Nominate additional possible fellows from our network whom we’d like to see shortlisted in the selection process.

• Work with Open Lunar to do marketing around our sponsorship story as a leading sponsor of their research as a cohort champion, or be connected specifically with one fellow who fits our interest set, for both storytelling and research relationship.

Vote#

Their next intake of researchers is happening in August, so we need to decide by Sunday August 15th about our support. If you have questions you can DM Chelsea#6740 in Discord from their team, or email c@openlunar.org