Add substrate-interface maintenance application

[sterliakov]

Project Abstract

py-polkadot-sdk (available on PyPI as substrate-interface) is a Python SDK for interfacing with Substrate nodes. This package powers hundreds, if not thousands, of real-world projects: 235k PyPI downloads last month, 258 GitHub stars and no signs of decreasing usage. It is the primary Python SDK for interacting with Substrate, which means it is one of the cornerstones of server-side development that needs access to Substrate information and modifications.

Unfortunately, currently it is essentially unmaintained, with unit tests failing, lint violations silenced in CI, Python support lagging two versions behind, low type annotations coverage and tickets involving runtime crashes accumulating.

Grant level

• Level 1: Up to $10,000, 2 approvals
• Level 2: Up to $30,000, 3 approvals
• Level 3: Unlimited, 5 approvals (for >$100k: Web3 Foundation Council approval)

Application Checklist

• The application template has been copied and aptly renamed (project_name.md).
• I have read the application guidelines.
• Payment details have been provided (Polkadot AssetHub (USDC & DOT) address in the application and bank details via email, if applicable).
• I understand that an agreed upon percentage of each milestone will be paid in vested DOT, to the Polkadot address listed in the application.
• I am aware that, in order to receive a grant, I (and the entity I represent) have to successfully complete a KYC/KYB check.
• The software delivered for this grant will be released under an open-source license specified in the application.
• The initial PR contains only one commit (squash and force-push if needed).
• The grant will only be announced once the first milestone has been accepted (see the announcement guidelines).
• I prefer the discussion of this application to take place in a private Element/Matrix channel. My username is: @_______:matrix.org (change the homeserver if you use a different one)

[github-actions]

CLA Assistant Lite bot All contributors have signed the CLA ✍️ ✅

[sterliakov]

I have read and hereby sign the Contributor License Agreement.

[semuelle]

Hi @sterliakov. thanks for the application. Sounds like a good idea, and the maintainer already responded positively to your message. Let's just wait until there is a clearer agreement in place with regard to what the contributions and general maintenance will look like.