Input Output Global (IOG) Asks Cardano Community to Bankroll Its 2025 R&D Vision

Input Output Global (IOG)'s research arm has formally asked the Cardano community to bankroll a twelve-month program of cutting-edge R&D

Input Output Global (IOG), the company behind the Cardano blockchain, has formally requested funding for a twelve-month program of cutting-edge R&D from the Cardano community through the Cardano Gov Tool.

The proposal, titled "Input Output Research (IOR): Cardano Vision - Work Program 2025" and located in the Research budget category, aims to collect 26.848 million ADA,li>

The message goes on to spell out the scope of the request: twenty fundamental research streams—among them Ouroboros, Tokenomics, Hydra and Interchains—and six technology-validation streams covering Leios, Minotaur, Jolteon Liveness, RSnarks and a revamped anti-grinding defence, all of them “aimed at scalability, sustainability & interoperability and defined through an evidence-based approach.”

The proposal, no 1 on the current agenda and now in the final stages of approval, is set to be voted on by Thursday. It has already garnered support from 63% of the participating Delegated Representatives, signaling their belief in the importance of this research initiative.

The proposal highlights the pressing need for continuous innovation to keep Cardano competitive in the evolving blockchain landscape. As commercializing deep technologies like Web3 cannot rely solely on market demand, it depends on sustained scientific and technical excellence.

Without proactive investment, valuable opportunities might be lost. Cardano, known for its clean record of 100% uptime, needs to integrate quantum-resistant cryptography, high-throughput zero-knowledge proofs and sophisticated smart-contract logic to maintain its technological edge.

The proposal focuses on high-potential R&D areas, aiming to build a strong foundation for innovation, accelerate time to market, and drive meaningful economic and societal outcomes.

The research department would receive 5.895 million for 27.5 full-time equivalents (FTEs), while the innovation arm would absorb 7.525 million to field 28.6 FTEs. Together, they would be handling 56.1 FTEs and the associated equipment, licences, subcontracting and overhead.

According to IOG, this equates to an average burdened cost of about $239,000 per person, or $1,030 per working day.

The proposal also highlights the multidisciplinary teams working on the research initiative. Mobilizing the leading blockchain research network worldwide including more than 14 universities, the consortium has already produced over 200 peer-reviewed papers.

The researchers are expected to deliver at least 20 peer-reviewed publications and artefacts every year in a typical time frame of two years for a paper to proceed from inception through conference acceptance.

Six of those streams are expected to graduate every year to technology-validation status, yielding formal specifications, prototypes, simulations, Cardano Problem Statements and Cardano Improvement Proposals.

Prototypes and technical documentation will provide in-depth analysis and serve as critical foundations for product development within the Cardano ecosystem, while CIPs will promote transparency and community-driven evolution.