I was in graduate school for robotics when CUDA came out, and the consumer card support was critical to nvidia getting to where they are today.

High Performance Computing option A wants to set up a call with someone with the authority to spend the best part of six figures, which could maybe be part of a funding application within a year or two, if there's a strong enough case for it.

High Performance Computing option B recommends you put in an application for time at the national centre that doles out access in 15 minute increments after you outline your entire project to them.

Then along comes nvidia, with CUDA - they want a one-off payment of $100, and on the day CUDA came out, almost every CS department already had a few dozen of the cards in computers they already owned.

No huge outlay, no ongoing spending commitment, no permission or application process.