The way it really works is, a researcher applies for funding for some cool project and most likely gets denied (unless it just so happens to fit with some predetermined agenda).

After this denial a researcher looks for what there is funding for (all controlled by the same people), then they apply for funding, then they get denied again.

Then they go to someone else who has gotten funding before and they beg and plead for them to apply with them. Often there is a great deal of ego stroking, and sometimes other types of stroking; whatever it takes to get funding.

Then they get funding, then they do the science decided upon by the PTB, then they publish a paper that aligns with the goals of the PTB or they never get funding again and become a franchise manager at McDonald's.

Science in 100 words or less.