There is a funding model in science that is dictated by the PTB (e.g. NIH). You will get funding for projects they want funded. You won't get funded for projects they don't want funded. There's a fair bit of leeway there, but its still a true statement. They also push some projects.

As a scientist, if you want to do work, you will find something to your taste within the funding model. You will ignore anything outside of it, even sometimes going so far as to call it a conspiracy theory (e.g. Cold Fusion), even when the evidence is overwhelming. Scientists are people. They can be guided by a need to find work, and brainwashed into believing authorities without independent investigation.

You don't need to corrupt everyone, when the vast majority are perfectly happy to be lead by a carrot.