OK, a new crowd funding source may have opened up. The article is,
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Got a cool idea for a research project, but need funding? Check out Petridish.org, which has just launched crowdfunded science and research projects. I think this is a really great idea that could open up funding for some amazing research ideas.
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http://www.kurzweilai.net/crowdfunded-science-projects?utm_source=KurzweilAI+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=09ea6353f6-UA-946742-1&utm_medium=email

The organization, http://petridish.org/
Funding for science projects, http://blog.petridish.org/2012/03/06/petridish-org-launches-first-group-of-crowdfunded-science-projects/

Maybe this is worth looking over?

Patrick