Because it's not like that everywhere in the world. For example, here, to be able to get funding, you need to pass a panel interview of researchers who are experienced in the area of your research. Our system employs "hordes of research experts" to shake down most inadequate ones, and push the rest to the actual researchers to further filter them.

IIRC, many if not most EU countries employ similar methods.

> they are unelected bureaucrats serving their own self-interests

You seem to be pushing an agenda, not asking questions in good faith.