My (hopefully) growing list of resources on why research without any immediate clear application is fundamentally important. This list is my own personal clearing house that will be eventually be turned into something more formal.
Studying Gila monster venom led to development of GLP-1
Studying venom to find novel drugs.
Controlling dengue, yellow fever, and zika with an endosymbiont
Studying petunia colors leads to cancer breakthrough
Bacteria yellowstone hotsprings revolutioned modern molecular biology
Sponges are nature's medicine cabinet
Awards for basic research that translated into huge societal benefits:
http://www.goldengooseaward.org/
Is basic research worth the investment?