5️⃣Day 5: Compile all the information

You've made it! Day 5 is about bringing everything together into a strong SCF submission. This is the first thing reviewers will see—make it count.

The Stellar Community Fund (SCF) Build Award supports teams with validated traction building Stellar-based products. Awards can be up to $150,000 in XLM and are distributed across three development tranches: MVP, Testnet, and Mainnet.

Before You Begin

  • Carefully review the SCF Official Rules & Guidelines to confirm you're eligible for a Build Award

  • Make sure your project is already created on the SCF dashboard. If not, go to the Projects tab and set it up before returning to the form.

  • Know What You’re Applying For: Build Awards are meant for projects with clear validation, traction, and a plan to launch on mainnet within ~6 months.


Step-by-Step Form Breakdown

1. Project

Select your existing project.

  • Tip: Double-check your project has been properly created. If it’s missing here, go back and create it in the Projects tab first.


2. Round

Choose: #37


3. Award Type

Choose: SCF Build Award


4. Submission Title

Unique title different from your project name. Max: 40 characters

  • Tip: Focus the title on the milestone or product scope you're requesting funding for. Good: “Stellar Lending MVP” Poor: “Our Project Name Again”


5. One Sentence Description

A concise, compelling summary. Max: 130 characters

  • 🪄 Formula: “[Product/Service] to help [target users] solve [problem] using [unique feature]”


6. Project URL

Add a link to your landing page, website, or project hub.

  • Tip: Use a professional and active link.


7. Code URL

Link to your GitHub repo.

  • Tip: At minimum, show structure, past commits, or early builds. All repos should be publicly accessible so reviewers can access them.


8. Video URL

Your 2–3 minute pitch video.

  • Tip: Cover the core product, target audience, Stellar integration, and traction. Speak clearly, and to the point. Ensure the link is accessible.


9. Soroban

Are you using Soroban smart contracts?

  • Choose: Yes / No / Maybe Later


10. Products & Services

Describe what you’re building or improving, and how Stellar fits in.

  • 🧠 Tip: For each feature you should answer:

  1. What’s being added?

  2. How does Stellar help?

  3. What’s the impact?


11. Traction Evidence

Show you’re beyond the idea stage. Include things like:

  • On-chain usage (e.g. testnet or mainnet txns)

  • User research

  • Waitlists, signups, or beta users

  • Articles or partnerships

Tip: Use links! Include spreadsheets, dashboards, or research notes. Ensure all links are publicly available.


12. Resubmission Feedback

If you’re resubmitting your project use this field to directly respond to prior feedback point-by-point.


13. Technical Architecture

Add a public or viewable link to your architecture doc. Make sure your doc is publicly accessible.

  • Must Include:

    • Stellar integration (Soroban, anchors, payments, etc.)

    • Flow diagrams or component diagrams

    • Key infrastructure & contract design choices


14. Thumbnail

Your project thumbnail goes here, it must be 16:9.


15. SCF Build Tranche Deliverables

Break down deliverables into 3 stages: MVP → Testnet → Mainnet. All 3 tranches should follow the same format:

Tranche 1 - MVP:

[Deliverable n]

  • Brief description

  • How to measure completion

  • Estimated date of completion

  • Budget

Tranche 2 - Testnet:

[Deliverable n]

  • Brief description

  • How to measure completion

  • Estimated date of completion

  • Budget

Tranche 3 - Mainnet:

[Deliverable n]

  • Brief description

  • How to measure completion

  • Estimated date of completion

  • Budget

🛑 Tips:

  • No marketing expenses

  • No audit costs (LaunchKit covers this)

  • Be realistic on timing and expenses: ~6 months total is expected


14. Budget

Total USD budget across all milestones

  • Stay under the max ($150,000 in XLM). Use the SCF Budget Guidelines to ensure compliance.

  • Make sure that your budget breakdown in your deliverables adds up to the total budget you request.


15. Go-To-Market Plan

Your strategy for getting users or integrations post-launch.

Include:

  • Launch timeline

  • Target audience and channels (e.g. dev communities, fintech partners)

  • Strategic partners or pilots

  • How you'll measure early adoption

  • Tip: Remember that Build Award funding does not cover Marketing expenses.


16. Success Criteria

Define what “success” looks like.

Example:

  • Output: 10,000 testnet users

  • Outcome: Increased financial access for underbanked workers in LATAM


17. Submission Reference

If you're working with someone from the Stellar/Soroban ecosystem, list them here (name, org).

  • Tip: Make sure that you have worked with them and that they agree on being a reference for your project.


Final Best Practices

  • Use clear, structured writing—bullets and headings help reviewers skim.

  • Provide evidence for claims.

  • Keep timelines realistic (not rushed or overly ambitious).

Hit the submit button, and you are done! Congratulations!

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