Non-academics are, in my experience,* unaware that funding agencies, particularly govt agencies, don't award research grants to individuals. Grants are awarded to institutions. The money is handled and accounted for by the institutions, subject to audit by govt. Principal investigators (the people in charge of funded projects) would risk annihilating their careers if they tried to step sideways with so much as a pfenning.
* Starting in 1970 at the U of Colo Boulder.
* Starting in 1970 at the U of Colo Boulder.