These grants tend to require industry partners and matched funds, so the value for money with regard to public funds is probably far higher now than the "weird"

These grants tend to require industry partners and matched funds, so the value for money with regard to public funds is probably far higher now than the "weird" era you're talking about. > enrich established PIs Nobody stays in academia to be "rich", and in general they could earn far more and be far less stressed by working in industry.