I did a Google AI search with "NASA incremental approach to finding life is in part to maintain funding"

Here was the result:

AI Overview
NASA's incremental approach to finding life—often structured as a phased, step-by-step methodology from studying planetary habitability to directly seeking biosignatures—is heavily driven by the need to maintain, justify, and secure funding from Congress and the White House. This strategy ensures that technical progress is managed in manageable, demonstrable pieces that align with budgetary cycles, rather than relying solely on high-risk, single-shot missions
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The Role of Funding in Incremental Strategy:

Budgetary Accountability: Decomposing missions into phases (e.g., Concept, Formulation, Implementation) provides "incremental visibility" into progress, which matches the congressional budgetary environment.
"Follow the Water" to "Find the Life": The strategy of first identifying habitable environments (Mars rovers, Europa Clipper) before searching for life is a cost-effective method to build evidence and justify future, more expensive life-detection missions.
Managing High Costs: Astrobiological missions are expensive, with projected costs for searching for life by 2040 exceeding $21 billion. An incremental approach justifies yearly budgetary requests, as seen in the $700 million-$1 billion annual requirement for solar system exploration.
Reducing Risk and Maintaining Support: The "level of effort" approach (funding individual elements) is a direct response to, or a result of, budget constraints, allowing for continued progress even when full funding for rapid discovery is not available.

Astrobiology Funding Structure:

ICAR Grants: NASA uses the Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research (ICAR) to provide five-year, multi-million dollar grants that support large, collaborative teams to answer specific astrobiology questions, providing stability in funding.
RCNs and ROSES: NASA has transitioned from the virtual NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) to Research Coordination Networks (RCNs), ensuring that funding for researchers remains aligned with competitively selected grants through Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES).

Challenges and Strategic Choices:

Funding Shortfalls: In 2026, the Planetary Science Division faced a $200 million decrease compared to 2025, forcing "strategic choices" and slowing down missions.
"High Risk, High Reward": While some studies urge NASA to take higher risks in instrument development, the agency’s need for low-risk, mature technology is largely mandated by the need to ensure mission success and protect investments.

Overall, the step-by-step search for life acts as a sustained scientific narrative that keeps the agency’s search-for-life goals relevant to political and public stakeholders, thereby securing continued budgetary support.