Projects like these, which are guaranteed funding regardless of completion, are not for just anyone. The higher-ups are essentially throwing money at a hope, and their targets are always the top mathematicians.
Moreover, not every top mathematician is eligible.
Some mathematics professors, or even academicians, who have not made significant contributions for a long time, find it difficult to obtain such projects, as the candidates are selected by the principal project manager.
If a large sum of money is spent with no results, the principal project manager will have to bear some responsibility. On the other hand, if results are yielded after the investment, they will undoubtedly receive some credit.
Therefore, the principal project manager must be very responsible, carefully selecting the participants for the project.