There are a number of challenges facing scientists today, not the least of which is funding. Given the current global economic crises, establishing and maintaining the support we need to maintain quality scientific research and education programs is a topic of great concern. Too, universities have witnessed a growing trend toward the funding of object-oriented (applied) research at the expense of basic research; however, even this paradigm is facing fiscal uncertainty as the public and private sectors bear the brunt of economic downturns and rescue efforts. We will address the various funding schemes for basic and applied research and offer suggestions as to what the future may hold for our profession. As the subtitle implies, this seminar will be delivered as a group discussion rather than the traditional death-by-PowerPoint pipeline.