2 KiB
2 KiB
META-036: Fund Futarchy Applications Research — Robin Hanson at George Mason University
Proposed: 2026-03-21
Status: Active (50% likelihood)
Amount: $80,007 USDC
Duration: 6 months
Category: Academic research grant
Summary
MetaDAO proposal to fund the first rigorous experimental validation of futarchy decision-market governance at George Mason University, led by Dr. Robin Hanson (inventor of futarchy) and co-investigator Dr. Daniel Houser.
Scope
- 500 student participants ($50 each) in controlled decision-making experiments
- IRB-reviewed experimental protocols
- Graduate research assistant for full academic year + summer
- First systematic experimental evidence on information-aggregation efficiency of futarchy governance mechanisms
Budget Breakdown
- Hanson summer salary: ~$30,000
- Houser co-investigator: ~$6,000
- Graduate research assistant: ~$19,000
- Participant payments: $25,000
- Total: $80,007 USDC
Disbursement Structure
50/50 split:
- 50% on execution
- 50% on interim report delivery
Market Data (2026-03-21)
- Likelihood: 50%
- Volume: $42,160
- Pass token: $3.4590 (+0.52%)
- Fail token: $3.3242 (-3.40%)
- Time remaining: ~2 days
Significance
This represents the first academic research proposal to experimentally validate futarchy mechanisms in controlled settings. The engagement brings futarchy's inventor back to formally study the production implementations that have emerged since his original theoretical work.
The 50% market likelihood suggests uncertainty about either:
- The value of academic validation versus continued production iteration
- Treasury allocation priorities at this stage of MetaDAO development
- Confidence in research deliverables justifying the cost
Proposers
- m3taversal
- metanallok
References
- Proposal URL: https://www.metadao.fi/projects/metadao/proposal/Dt6QxTtaPz87oEK4m95ztP36wZCXA9LGLrJf1sDYAwxi
- Tweet: @MetaDAOProject, 2026-03-21