MIT reports 20% drop in graduate enrollment after $100 million federal research cut, warning of basic-research drought

MIT President Sally Kornbluth told the STAT Summit that the university saw a 20% decline in new graduate students this fall, linked to a $100 million reduction in federal research awards over the past two years.

The funding cut has forced MIT and other universities to limit or suspend graduate admissions, as many students rely on federal grants to support their Ph.D. work.

Science leaders warned that shifting federal research dollars toward artificial intelligence and other technology areas could create a serious drought in curiosity-driven basic research.

They urged policymakers to consider the long-term impact on the nation’s research pipeline and the training of future scientists.