From what I remember from watching the show last year, they are sponsored by Discovery Channel (among others), and they also have educational grants IIRC. That is where the money comes from!

Roger

"...That is where the money comes from!..."

Our tax dollars at work again???

Just a few minutes ago Nightline has a bit on these people. Evidently a good part of the financing comes from The Discovery Channel which buys the guy driving the armored vehicle's film. Film shot on an I-Max camera. With which he hopes to get the 'money shot' of a tornado overtaking him.

The rest of the team, the guy in the armor is just one of a whole crew, and possibly the only non-scientist, driving what looked like four vehicles. One of which was a large flat-bed truck with a doppler radar unit mounted on it. These science folks sound like they are finances by a university and are doing real research.