GIP FAQ
Everything you need to know about creating and passing a GIP.
1. What is a GIP?
A GIP (Gnosis Improvement Proposal) is a formal proposal to change something in the GnosisDAO ecosystem. This can include:
- Parameter changes
- Treasury allocations
- Grant programs
- Governance process changes
2. How do I create a GIP?
The GIP process has four phases:
Phase 1: Ideation (7+ days)
- Go to forum.gnosis.io and create a new topic in the GnosisDAO category.
- We recommend using the GIP Template from the start, but it is not mandatory at this stage.
- Describe your idea clearly — what you're proposing, why it matters, and what it would cost.
- Engage the community: respond to questions, join Discord discussions, and contact the Gnosis Ltd Ecosystem & Community team for support.
- Run a temperature check (optional but recommended) with a forum poll.
- Aim for at least 5 substantive replies before moving to Phase 2.
Phase 2: Formal GIP (5-day poll, ~14 days with discussion)
- Structure your proposal using the GIP Template, covering all required sections: Abstract, Motivation, Specification, Budget, and Risks.
- Post a 5-day forum poll. Under the Participation Agreement, your proposal advances to Phase 3 unless rejected by a relative majority. By convention (per the GIP Template), polls include a "Make no changes" option — if it wins, the proposal does not advance.
- Get a technical review if your proposal involves smart contract changes or protocol upgrades.
- Aim for at least 10 poll votes before advancing.
Phase 3: Snapshot Vote (7 days)
- Submit your proposal to Snapshot (gnosis.eth) — the Ecosystem & Community team can help you navigate the submission process.
- Voting is GNO-weighted with a minimum 7-day period.
- The proposal passes if it achieves a majority of YES votes and meets the 75,000 GNO quorum threshold.
Phase 4: Accountability (ongoing)
- If your proposal passes, you are expected to deliver on the promised outcomes.
- Post progress updates at 30, 60, and 90 days after execution as a minimum.
- Publish a final completion report to the forum.
For a detailed walkthrough, see How to Create a GIP.
3. How long does the process take?
Based on historical data:
| Phase | Minimum | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Ideation | 7 days | 28 days |
| Formal GIP | 5 days | 14 days |
| Snapshot Vote | 7 days | 7 days |
| Total | 19 days | ~7 weeks |
The median proposal duration is 22 days from first forum post to Snapshot result, but most proposals take 4–8 weeks when accounting for discussion and iteration.
Some proposals take much longer, usually due to complex discussion, lack of clarity, or the need to build broader support.
4. What is "quorum" and how do I meet it?
Quorum is the minimum number of YES votes needed for a result to be valid. The current threshold is 75,000 GNO votes. Only YES votes count toward quorum — voting NO does not contribute to meeting the threshold.
Tips to build support and set up a successful vote:
- Test sentiment before voting — Run a forum poll or invite informal reactions to check community temperature.
- Promote your proposal — Share in relevant Discord channels, on Twitter, the forum, and community calls. Ask project teams or influencers to help amplify.
- Ask for feedback early — Respond to questions, update your post, and actively engage in discussion to address concerns.
- Reach out to key voters and delegates — Directly contact active participants or known delegates and invite them to weigh in before voting.
- Support your proposal with clear evidence and rationale — The more confident voters are in your idea, the more likely they are to participate.
- Give enough time for review — Don't rush to Snapshot. Allow the discussion to mature and give people notice before voting begins.
5. How do I write a winning proposal?
Do:
- Use a clear, specific title
- Explain the problem first
- Provide a detailed solution
- Include an implementation timeline
- Show community support (comments, reactions)
- Address potential objections
Use the GIP Template:
Start your proposal with the official GIP Template. This ensures you cover all required sections (abstract, motivation, specification, budget, risks), makes it easier for reviewers to follow your logic, and speeds up feedback and acceptance. Proposals that follow the template are more likely to be taken seriously and succeed.
Don't:
- Submit vague or overly complex proposals
- Skip the discussion phase
- Rush to a vote without consensus
- Ignore feedback
6. What are common reasons for failure?
| Reason | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Quorum not met | Promote the vote and allow enough time |
| Unclear proposal | Write clearly and provide examples |
| No community support | Build consensus first |
| Technical concerns | Get feedback from developers |
| Wrong timing | Consider timing relative to ongoing discussions and community focus |
7. Can I resubmit a failed proposal?
Yes. Many successful GIPs were resubmissions.
- Address why the original proposal failed
- Wait for improved timing if relevant
- Build broader support before resubmitting
8. What happens after my GIP passes?
Passing a Snapshot vote is not the end — you are expected to deliver on the promised outcomes and demonstrate accountability.
- Begin implementation — if your proposal involves a treasury transfer, this will be co-ordinated with the GnosisDAO treasury manager. As of February 2026, Noca manages the GnosisDAO treasury (GIP-148).
- Post progress updates at 30, 60, and 90 days after execution as a minimum. For projects running longer than 90 days, monthly updates are strongly recommended.
- Publish a completion report to the forum when your project is done, covering what was delivered, key metrics against stated goals, and any lessons learned.
- Non-delivery has consequences — GIPs can be introduced to terminate agreements for proposals that fail to deliver. If you receive funding and don't provide updates or results, future proposals from your team will face significant scepticism.
The Gnosis Ltd Ecosystem & Community team facilitate update sessions where you can present to the community.
9. Where can I get help?
- Forum: forum.gnosis.io
- Discord: #governance channel
- Gnosis Ltd Ecosystem & Community team: Reach out via this form for assistance on governance and GIPs
- Community calls: Check Discord for schedule, or RSVP on Lu.ma for the next Ecosystem Event to connect with the GnosisDAO community.
10. When I participate, am I agreeing to anything legally?
Yes. Submitting a GIP, running a Phase 2 forum poll, or voting on Snapshot digitally signs the GnosisDAO Participation Agreement (Clause 2.2). The Participation Agreement is the legal source of truth for GnosisDAO governance — it is published in the GnosisDAO Forum and amended from time to time.
Key things every participant should know before engaging:
- Indemnity (Clause 17) — participants indemnify GnosisDAO and other participants against losses arising from their own breaches of the Agreement.
- Waiver of class actions and jury trials (Clause 27.2) — disputes are resolved individually, not as part of a class action, and without a jury.
- Governing law and arbitration (Clauses 27–28) — the Agreement is governed by English law, with disputes settled by ICC arbitration.
- Inactivity (Participant Termination Event) — a Participant who is inactive for 180 days may be treated as having ceased to participate. (The 14-day "Stale" tag on forum threads is a separate housekeeping convention, not the legal exit.)
If you're unsure how any of this applies to your situation, take legal advice before participating.
Last updated: April 2026