[ank286]

In CS/ECE, if there is no application for your research i.e. cannot be commercialized or patented, you will not have funding. There is very little room for theoretical-based research where you play around with math (like counting angels on the head of a pin) to see if it works out with unknown applications. Everything begins with an application in mind --> funding.

[seanmcdirmid]

Theoreticians do get funding, just not much, and most CS researchers are not hardcore theoreticians (theory is a tool to be used occasionally in support of something else).