Over at Cosmic Variance, Sean has posted a very nice "Alternative science respectability checklist" . The extensive (and somewhat amusing...) commentary there brings up in places an important point. Suppose there are, in fact, people with genuinely interesting and deep physics ideas who are not part of the standard academic track (e.g. Einstein), or otherwise 'marginalized' by our current research-support system. How do we find them, take them seriously, and even potentially fund them, without wasting an immense amount of time on those who do not fulfill, e.g., Sean's respectability checklist? (Note that Einstein certainly would have!)
Since FQXi does, in fact, hope to find, take seriously, and even fund such people, how do we do it? We've got some ideas, but it isn't easy, and your proposals are welcome. Remember that your proposal must
(a) Avoid using up huge quantities of time by talented scientists reviewing proposals/theories/papers.
(b) Avoid wasting large quantities of money on worthless research or on paying above talented scientists for their time.
(c) Avoid administrative nightmares for FQXi.