## Historical / Cohort #1 terms
The figures below ( **5 NEAR** monthly fee on the 1st of each month, and **40,000 NEAR** program delegation) are the **published terms for Node Studio Program cohort #1** as documented for that cohort. They are **not** a current universal Node Studio rate card.

**Program #1 (one-year cohort) is completed/closed** (historical record). Live Node Studio marketing (verified 2026-09-22) is at [https://nodestudio.metapool.app](https://nodestudio.metapool.app/) and advertises from **$25 or less**, plus marketing callouts about **10,000 NEAR** (delegation-support application) and **25,000 NEAR** (ready-to-launch) thresholds — confirm current pricing and any open program on the live site before applying or paying. Exact current program delegation amounts are not published publicly without a wallet.

## Payment details
- **Monthly Fee:** 5 NEAR Tokens.
- **Payment Method:** NEAR (via Meta Pool platform) [https://nodestudio.metapool.app/](https://nodestudio.metapool.app/)
- **Payment Date:** The charge will be made on the **1st of each month.**

## How to Pay the Monthly Fee?
**Step 1:** Go to [https://nodestudio.metapool.app/](https://nodestudio.metapool.app/)

**Step 2:** Connect the NEAR wallet you want to use for the payment.

**Step 3:** Add your validator and complete the required information.

**Step 4:** Add the amount of NEAR you want to keep in your account. You can deposit any amount you wish (min. 5 NEAR). These tokens will always remain in your possession and can be withdrawn at any time. Meta Pool will only take 5 NEAR tokens on the 1st day of each month.

- For example, if you deposit 10 NEAR, Meta Pool will take 5 NEAR on the first day of the next month, and the remaining 5 NEAR the following month.
- This system allows users to prepay for as many months as they want without having to deposit additional NEAR every month.

## What does the monthly payment include?

1. **Guaranteed delegation of 40,000 NEAR**  
   Each participant receives an initial delegation of 40,000 NEAR to launch or boost their validator.

2. **Access to the Meta Pool Validator Platform**  
   Participants can receive additional delegation based on:
   - Performance (APY)
   - Community votes

3. **Dedicated technical support**  
   Ongoing support for setup, operation, and maintenance of your validator.

4. **Critical updates and maintenance support**  
   Guidance on required updates to keep your validator safe and online.

5. **24/7 Validator Monitoring Dashboard**  
   Access to a dashboard with real-time status, alerts, and validator performance.

6. **Participation in the Meta Pool Validator League**  
   - Annual competition.
   - Requires a minimum of 5 points per month to qualify and keep in the program.
   - Prize distribution:
     - 40% in stablecoins (USDT/USDC).
     - 60% in mpDAO tokens locked for 300 days.

## Additional Benefits
- Visibility within the NEAR and Meta Pool ecosystem.
- Priority access to new programs.
- Access to training resources, learning sessions, and community networking.