Most physics isn't done with space telescopes or particle accelerators; and very few groups require billions of dollars of equipment (considering the NSF budget

Most physics isn't done with space telescopes or particle accelerators; and very few groups require billions of dollars of equipment (considering the NSF budget is less than 10 billion dollars, there wouldn't be much to go around). Theoretical physics in experimentally relevant fields is about as cheap as its ever been; you really only need professors, a building, whiteboards, and travel funds. And believe me, there are a lot of experimental physicists doing excellent work with two guys in a garage levels of equipment.