Have you considered starting a privately-funded deep tech company? Something like this: https://conception.bio/
As a founder CEO, you would be in charge of your own overheads. Depending on jurisdiction (I assume you're in the US, which is semi-decent), the amount of government-induced bureaucracy might not be too huge.
You can get your start-up funded by e.g. IndieBio (I have taken their investment personally and would recommend doing it to fellow startup founders).
I'm glad you got your funding in the end! I have a couple of possibly quite silly questions about the process.
a) when the admins were wasting time and creating unnecessary obstacles, did you go and complain to their boss? I mean the final boss whoever happens to rule it over the adm staff in your institution - The Dean? The chief financial officer? Anyone with a reputation of brutal and dominant behavior? In my experience it's usually most effective to talk to the boss, in case of petty logistical problems.
b) would it be possible to take money from a private philanthropist without getting the university involved at all? Like making a two-sided contract, such as an official gift?
Okay, but I think you should still try the boss approach next time. It's definitely possible to find out who's the head of the administrative unit in the university. When I have a more complicated problem, I usually check out the name and phone number of the head of the relevant department, call him/her, ask for a couple of minutes of his time, introduce myself and explain the problem in an understandable, human-to-human way. I've only gotten good, helpful results this way. E.g. if the admins have decided to decline your private financing, you can explain why their reasoning doesn't make sense and maybe something can be done to help you still get the grant. Bosses are flexible, factory-worker admins are rigid. I may be totally wrong here; I live in Europe and maybe US systems are overall more rigid. Might be worth to try anyway.
Have you considered starting a privately-funded deep tech company? Something like this: https://conception.bio/
As a founder CEO, you would be in charge of your own overheads. Depending on jurisdiction (I assume you're in the US, which is semi-decent), the amount of government-induced bureaucracy might not be too huge.
You can get your start-up funded by e.g. IndieBio (I have taken their investment personally and would recommend doing it to fellow startup founders).
Is the option of making IP deals with private companies and getting the facilities for free not a viable one ?
I'm glad you got your funding in the end! I have a couple of possibly quite silly questions about the process.
a) when the admins were wasting time and creating unnecessary obstacles, did you go and complain to their boss? I mean the final boss whoever happens to rule it over the adm staff in your institution - The Dean? The chief financial officer? Anyone with a reputation of brutal and dominant behavior? In my experience it's usually most effective to talk to the boss, in case of petty logistical problems.
b) would it be possible to take money from a private philanthropist without getting the university involved at all? Like making a two-sided contract, such as an official gift?
a) The problem is that I don't even know who the boss is!
b) No. I actually looked into this, but it's prohibited by the university.
Okay, but I think you should still try the boss approach next time. It's definitely possible to find out who's the head of the administrative unit in the university. When I have a more complicated problem, I usually check out the name and phone number of the head of the relevant department, call him/her, ask for a couple of minutes of his time, introduce myself and explain the problem in an understandable, human-to-human way. I've only gotten good, helpful results this way. E.g. if the admins have decided to decline your private financing, you can explain why their reasoning doesn't make sense and maybe something can be done to help you still get the grant. Bosses are flexible, factory-worker admins are rigid. I may be totally wrong here; I live in Europe and maybe US systems are overall more rigid. Might be worth to try anyway.