research funding, n.All

Research funding (n.) rests ⁠​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​⁠on a tacit compact: the funder asks for a cure, the scientist takes the money and keeps working on what he understands.