Diogenes would have love the current research funding situation

"On another occasion, he was conspicuously begging alms from a statue. Asked why, Diogenes answered: “To get practice in being turned down.” When your fellow humans are as cold as Athenian statues in winter, you can teach them something about charity by pretending to expect it from stone."

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/how-to-swim-against-the-stream-on-diogenes/