As I understand it, TF tries to pick good people even if they are working on not-so-bulletproof projects at the moment. That's likely the justification here. K

As I understand it, TF tries to pick good people even if they are working on not-so-bulletproof projects at the moment. That's likely the justification here. Keep in mind that the funding is a grant (rather than equity/royalty/loan) and is not given to the project but the individual.