I think it's got the right idea, honestly. There are a lot more independent researchers in the wild then I think the world cares about. They get a PhD for their

I think it's got the right idea, honestly. There are a lot more independent researchers in the wild then I think the world cares about. They get a PhD for their own intellectual (sometimes spiritual) journey, and then leave because the conditions to play the academic game are simply not worth it. But the usually means research now becomes a hobby, an after thought once work and family needs are satisfied. Doing research as a hobby is a lot harder then doing other things as a hobby. However, imagine if you could live off a grant for a year or two, and just the grant, then you could just take the risk, do something crazy. Maybe it fails, but really isn't that the point? That's why the independent researchers left the academic game in the first place, because the system wants you to minimize risk (which in my mind is anti productive, risk should be more supported in research) So give the independent researchers the opportunity to take the risk, and see what comes of it! Of course, 1k is not enough for U.S. citizens, but it could be for some other countries.