would funding yourself (perhaps as a part-time PhD student) not be an option?
unfortunately, it is a fact of life that there is more funding in some areas than in others. your proposed projects some interesting, and I know nothing about that area.
Perhaps you could approach a few research councils and see what they say, then once you have got an idea from them, you can talk to prospective supervisors. But because of the funding situation, it would appear that you have a lot of work to do.
Good luck