Review + routing
An open idea is not judged like a formal Challenge application.
The program uses two different review systems: triage for statewide ideas and formal evaluation for a published Challenge Brief.
Open idea triage
Find the useful next route.
- Is it within ANCHOR's public purpose?
- Is the idea safe and appropriate to review at this level?
- Does an existing product, program, resource, or known practice already address it?
- What evidence or user/problem knowledge exists?
- Does it need collaborators or a different expertise mix?
- Is there a direct improvement route?
- Does it belong with an outside Arkansas resource?
- Is the underlying problem strong enough to qualify for formal challenge research?
Outcome: connect, develop, challenge-candidate, direct review, resource referral, more information, or archive with a reason. There is no automatic prize ranking.
Formal Challenge evaluation
Use the published method.
- Eligibility and completeness
- Conflict disclosure / recusal
- Published technical/public-value criteria
- Price/cost treatment where the mechanism requires it
- Accessibility and rights gates stated in the brief
- Clarifications and due diligence under the same rules
- Documented selection rationale
Outcome: selection under the governing challenge, grant, procurement, research, or other instrument. No unpublished universal rubric overrides that instrument.
Public idea moderation
Publication is separate from advancement.
An idea can be useful but remain private. A public idea card can be published for collaboration without promising funding or selection.
| Decision | What it means | What it does not mean |
|---|---|---|
| Publish public summary | The contributor opted in and the high-level card passed moderation. | Endorsement, funding, IP transfer, or award. |
| Connect | The program will try to broker a useful introduction. | A formal team, contract, or partnership. |
| Challenge candidate | The underlying problem may deserve formal qualification work. | A challenge has been authorized or opened. |
| Resource referral | An existing outside resource may fit the contributor's next need. | The resource has accepted the person or is an ANCHOR partner. |
| Direct review | A responsible ANCHOR/public owner may consider the idea outside a competition. | Implementation is approved. |