Research Universities Are Admitting Fewer PhDs, a Bad Sign For Science
13 149An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: The number of students admitted to Ph.D. programs this fall dropped 15 percent from the previous year, according to data from over 50 top research universities, raising fears that the nation's capacity to produce new science could be diminished. The decline is driven, in part, by a chaotic and unpredictable federal funding environment under the Trump administration, as federal cuts are promised and then reversed, and budgets remain unclear.
A reduction in doctoral students could mean fewer scholars at universities to teach and mentor undergraduates. Higher education leaders also worry that, if the declines continue, there will be fewer researchers to power a rapidly evolving scientific work force. The data showing the decrease comes from 55 universities, all of them members of the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only organization that includes 69 of the most prestigious research institutions in the United States. The data collection was conducted by another group, the Association of American Universities Data Exchange.
Schools in A.A.U. confer half of the nation's research doctorates, according to the association. "We are at risk of losing a whole generation of new talent because of the reduction in the capacity to support those students," said Toby Smith, a senior vice president at the A.A.U. University leaders and research advocates cite many reasons for the declines in new doctoral students. Key federal agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, have been funding fewer research grants. The wealthiest institutions also face a new federal tax on their endowments.
But the most cited reason in interviews was the unreliable nature of federal funding under the Trump administration. The administration proposed major cuts to federal research agencies last year, but Congress restored the funding. It is again proposing big cuts. While Congress may again reverse the administration's proposed reductions, the uncertainty makes it hard for schools to make multiyear commitments to doctoral students. The administration also abruptly ended thousands of research grants last year, arguing that they did not align with the government's priorities. The administration restored many of the grants after judges deemed the eliminations illegal and arbitrary, but research advocates say the whiplash was damaging.
13 comments
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Informative)
by sg_oneill ( 159032 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @02:56AM (#66226270)
Oh man theres a comical tyrany of perverse incentives when it comes to government interventions in universities.
We had this turbo-conservative govt here in australia, John Howard, awful dude, but his govt tried to smash the humanities by adjusting how the uni fees work (We pay fees, but they become tax loans that start being paid off once income hits average wage. Its a fucked system, but there are more-fucked systems so, que cera. I *guess*).
Anyhow the plan was , was to massively increase the fees paid to do a humanities degree while slashing the fees for science degrees. The problem was, they lowered the fees so much that the universities couldn't afford to put on the more important science degrees, so universities started dropping sciences and focusing on the now highly profitable humanities degrees. It didnt effect much what students chose, because 17yos are rarely good at reasoning about money and future incomes, and anyway, statistically humanities graduates get higher incomes (science wages suck, trust me. Especially if you work in a field the govt actively wants to shut down like climate change, like I do.). So engineering, metalurgy, chemistry , *especially* physics which was always an expensive course to run, all those degrees started closing down and the "degree in surfing"* humanities degrees that the govt bitched about thrived.
So the govts idiotic attempt at market manipulation just made the whole thing even more skewed against their desired goal;- Stopping students from questioning their world.
*although ironically the "degree in surfing" the govt used as its example was refering to a unit in the sports medicine degree that dealt with injuries in water sports. It actually didn't do great because of those funding cuts to science.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by Sique ( 173459 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @03:14AM (#66226286)
Everyone has the right to be a political activist. That includes scientists. You want to cut the ability of scientists to speak their opinion. And that's a bad thing per se.
In jurisdiction, there is the principle: Ignorantia legis non excusat. We should apply the same principle to science. Ignorantia scientes non excusat. Being wrong about science is not an opinion. It's something you could rectify by educating yourself about science, in the same way you educate yourself about the legal situation before deciding something important. No judge will excuse you for having a "different legal opinion" about something that is clearly stated otherwise in the law. We should do the same for science. And if you don't like the way scientists are of a different opinion than you about the possible outcome of a political decision, it's not because they are activists, it's because they know something you want to ignore.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Interesting)
by nickovs ( 115935 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @04:43AM (#66226350)
We don't need more scientists. We need better ones who do their jobs instead of wasting their time being political activists. Get that and everything will be fine.
Can I ask how you define "being political activists"? Does it cover simply pointing out that statements by some politicians are at odds with the evidence? Do you consider saying "The available data consistently indicated that climate change is the result of human activity." or "Vaccines do save lives; here are the studies which show it." to be activism?
I submit that the perception that scientists are being political activists has very little to do with what the scientists are doing and a great to do with politicians who don't like the science constantly complaining that scientists are activists and radicals. I'd be happy to run a study to try to measure that, but I suspect that it wouldn't sway the opinions of the people who wrong.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by ArchieBunker ( 132337 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @07:17AM (#66226454)
Ever notice how the fuck your feelings crowd has the most fragile feelings of all?
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by smooth wombat ( 796938 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @08:39AM (#66226510)
Ever notice how the people on the left calling for Sharia law, would be the first to be thrown off of buildings if it were ever implemented?
Hey dumbass, it's those Red states trying their best to implement Sharia law through forcing the Bible into the classroom [yahoo.com] (but no other religious texts), displaying the ten commandments in schools [okhouse.gov] (which they ignore), telling women what they can wear, telling women they must have babies, and a whole host of other things they're trying to force down people's throats.
As always, every accusation is a confession with you people.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by Anonymous Coward ( None ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @08:44AM (#66226522)
I've only ever noticed people on the right calling for Sharia law, although round here they call it and the deities by different names. Very syncretistic of them.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by ArchieBunker ( 132337 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @09:39AM (#66226592)
The Christian nationalists running the country have the same goals as Sharia law. Cross out Muhammad and scribble in god and it's virtually unchanged.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Insightful)
by MachineShedFred ( 621896 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @11:30AM (#66226786)
Please point to anyone of consequence "calling for Sharia law."
We'll all wait patiently for your forthcoming evidence of your claim. You will not reply.
Re:Trump cut the funding (Score: 5, Interesting)
by Mr. Barky ( 152560 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @05:02AM (#66226368)
I agree. Quality scientists like Albert Einstein or Ben Franklin should have just shut up and not lend their expertise to the discussions of the day.
WTF. Scientists have always been involved in political discussions. It would be utterly ridiculous to do without their informed advice - they tend to be smart people with knowledge and perspectives that many do not have. I am not saying one should blindly follow their opinions and advice, but I really, really don't want them to shut up. They contribute immensely when they get involved.
Re:No, this is not a bad sign for science (Score: 5, Insightful)
by fafalone ( 633739 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @04:59AM (#66226364)
Just because something can be destroyed in weeks doesn't mean it won't take decades to rebuild.
Immigration (Score: 5, Insightful)
by larryjoe ( 135075 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @01:37AM (#66226236)
I'm surprised there's no mention of Trump and immigration. In STEM fields, anywhere from 30-65% of PhD students are foreign students. For computer science and engineering, the percentage is near 60%. Not being able to get a visa, being fearful of the Trump government, and uncertainty about work visas and green cards is arguably more significant than even funding for some programs.
The only winner.... (Score: 5, Insightful)
by LazLong ( 757 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @08:28AM (#66226494)
The only winner here is China.
Thank you Trump.
Avoid student debt like the plague (Score: 5, Interesting)
by CaptQuark ( 2706165 ) on Tuesday July 07, 2026 @01:05AM (#66226216)
That depends on what value you place on the degree. Nowadays, a degree is nothing more than an invitation to an interview. It suggests that you have been exposed to the bare minimum information that will be helpful for a particular job. No company views a degree as proof that a candidate can step into a job and be proficient on day one. Every company has particular procedures, policies, and protocols that every new hire will need time to assimilate. A degree suggests you are willing to learn.
As far as student loans, I view them as the newest version of crushing payday loans. Only the most desperate reach for them and get roped into a crushing interest rate trap. There are too many ways to finish a degree without accumulating soul-crushing debt.
1. Apply for grants. These include applying for academic scholarships. I received a half-semester scholarship at my first college simply because I was the only person that applied. If you don't qualify, move to the next step.
2. Begin your degree at a community college. A two-year degree at a community college is much cheaper and in some states tuition free for state residents. Get your associates degree then apply for a bachelors program.
3. Apply for a low-level position in a job in your field, then ask about tuition assistance. Many companies will help fund your education with tuition assistance.
4. Volunteer for the military in a related field, or even in a general occupation. A two-year military enlistment qualifies for the GI bill which will fund your 4-year degree with perhaps some left over for other education.
5. Once you start school, take every bypass testing route you can. Every CLEP test you pass is one less class you have to pay for. Every class you challenge is also one less to fund. You can sometimes test your way past enough beginning level courses to reduce your degree to three years.
6. Don't get locked into the four-year degree must be completed in four years trap. Find a paying job and enroll in night school instead. Do a year of school then work and save money for a year. Rest and repeat.
Student loans are like buying a house on a credit card. The interest so overwhelms the small amount that is applied to the principle that the payment schedule is designed to take 30 years to pay off. Taking six years with no student debt to complete a four-year degree is so much better financially that I would NEVER recommend anyone take a student loan. There are many options that still result in a degree without accumulating soul-crushing debt.