Access to research funding remains one of the greatest bottlenecks in science — often centralized, opaque, and risk-averse.

Decentralized Science challenges this status quo, enabling new models for community-driven funding, radical transparency, and local control. Here’s how:

Web3 & Blockchain-Based Approaches:

Science DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations): Global communities pool capital and vote to fund proposals.

Tokenized Incentives: Reputation, contributions, and IP can be rewarded with tokens or NFTs, aligning incentives for openness and reproducibility.

On-Chain Governance: Enables transparent, auditable decision-making.

Peer-to-Peer Crowdfunding — Real-World Success

Blockchain isn't the only option. Traditional crowdfunding has proven effective for science when aligned with community needs.

Platforms like Crowdcube, Kickstarter, and emerging cooperative crowdfunding systems are enabling researchers to build direct relationships with communities — from local environmental monitors to global health tools.

These approaches address the brain drain from regions like the North-West to global centres by keeping talent rooted in place, supported by local governance, shared infrastructure, and community-aligned funding.