The National Science Foundation put out new guidelines for the "Intellectual Merit" part of proposals. They favor "tranformative" research:

"Subject: Transformative Research
At the 399th meeting1 of the National Science Board (Board), the Board unanimously approved a motion to enhance support of transformative research at the NSF. Additionally, the Board approved a change to the Intellectual Merit Review Criterion specified in Part I of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide: the Grant Proposal Guide2 to specifically include review of the extent to which a proposal also suggests and explores potentially transformative concepts. The full text of the newly revised criterion is as follows:
What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources"

(see link for more).

I've dabbled in working on stuff that challenged the way people have been thinking about models for blind faults in southern California, and the timing of initiation of glaciation for Marie Byrd Land, but this ain't life on Mars, or Flores Man.

I'm maybe near the peak of my abilities, where increase in experience is balanced by deterioration and confusion of my remaining 9 neurons. (that's kind of a sad statement, given limited funding/other measures of success). My favorite people to brainstorm with are not here in the heartland (can try over the phone, but is better over a beer). So, we could try it here online: might be fun. What can I do with my set of skills that would really change the way an important problem is viewed. No, read the NSF quote: speculation is not going to cut it.

More later?
Chris

• transformative...NSF