That, and the notion that most people in power allocating those grants are mostly alumni who might want their descendants to have the same opportunity. The ivy

That, and the notion that most people in power allocating those grants are mostly alumni who might want their descendants to have the same opportunity. The ivy league is deeply entrenched in the power structure of the US government, major corporations, etc. Those research grants perpetuate the exclusivity of the institutions and are very much part of the appeal. It's what makes students (and their parents) pay extra and bend over backwards just to be close to that hoping that some of that genius rubs off on them. It has everything to do with student recruitment. This is of course nothing new or world shocking. This stuff works exactly the same way in other countries. Rich people looking after each other is a thing. So is nepotism. And feudalism.