STAT+: MIT says research has fallen 10%, and grad student enrollment is down

STAT PlusPolitics MIT says research has fallen 10 percent, and grad student enrollment is down Graduate admissions for the 2026-2027 academic year are down 20 percent Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Aidan Ryan — Boston GlobeMay 14, 2026 MIT President Sally Kornbluth said Thursday that the school’s research enterprise has shrunk 10 percent from a year ago and warned of a persistent drop in graduate admissions as the university grapples with federal funding challenges and policy changes. Kornbluth — who spoke in a video message — said that federal funding cuts, an increased taxes on large university endowments, and changes in immigration policies that have discouraged international students from applying have contributed to the drop in research funding and admitted graduate students.Advertisement “The fact is that we’re looking at a real drop in research being done by the people of MIT,” Kornbluth said. “Frankly, it’s a loss for the nation. When you shrink the pipeline of basic discovery research, you choke off the flow of future solutions, innovations and cures — and you shrink the supply of future scientists.” STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In education, research, scientists, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Aidan Ryan — Boston Globe Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Politics May 13, 2026 Officials say $1.3 billion in Medicaid money to California will be deferred over suspicions of fraud Exclusive May 13, 2026 STAT Plus: What the Trump administration wants in its next FDA leader Advertisement Politics May 13, 2026 Medicare halts enrollment of new hospice, home health providers Politics May 13, 2026 New subpoena suggests DOJ has begun criminal investigation of gender-affirming care Exclusive May 13, 2026 STAT Plus: Bill Cassidy risked his legacy. It may not be enough to save his career Subscriber Picks