Unfunded, as a research project (6)
I believe the answer is:
orphan
'unfunded as a research project' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for orphan that I've seen before include "One who has lost both parents" , "One standing alone" , "No harp (anag.)" , "Child who has lost both parents" , "little Annie, maybe?" .)