US Ph.D. admissions shrink as international students and funding declines threaten STEM leadership globally

US Ph.D. admissions are shrinking as top universities cut spots in STEM and humanities programmes. Funding reductions under the Trump administration and stricter visa rules for international students have exacerbated the decline. Institutions like Harvard, MIT, and the University of Washington are limiting or pausing Ph.D. intakes. Rising graduate student unionisation and shifting student preferences abroad also contribute. Experts warn this trend threatens America’s leadership in research, innovation, and the development of future experts.