Support Career Agency for International Scientists (opinion)

"International Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars drive a large share of the United States' scientific research, innovation and global competitiveness. Yet these visa holders often face systemic barriers that limit their ability to build independent, fulfilling careers. Restricted access to fellowships and immigration constraints can stifle career agency, forcing the nation's institutions to lose out on the very global talent they train to fuel discovery and progress."

"The U.S. depends on international talent to sustain its scientific enterprise. In 2023, nearly 41 percent of Ph.D. students and 58 percent of postdocs in U.S. universities were visa holders, and international scholars made up 34 percent of Ph.D. graduates in 2022, an increase from just 11 percent in1977. While U.S. universities still lead globally in training and employing a robust international scientific workforce, the recent anti-immigrant climate in the U.S. and growing global competition for STEM talent threatens this long-standing advantage."

"Two issues impacting international scientists stand out as particularly urgent: limited access to independent research fellowships and visa policies that restrict career flexibility. Fewer fellowships lead to reduced agency. International scientists have access to fewer fellowships for supporting their independent research ideas. Data on primary sources of STEM doctoral student funding indicates 17 percent of international Ph.D. students relied primarily on fellowships, scholarships or dissertation grants in 2022, compared to 29 percent of their U.S. citizen and permanent resident peers."

International Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars comprise a substantial portion of the U.S. scientific workforce, with nearly 41 percent of Ph.D. students and 58 percent of postdocs in 2023 on visas and 34 percent of Ph.D. graduates in 2022 being international. Visa holders often face systemic barriers that limit their ability to build independent, fulfilling careers. Limited access to independent research fellowships and restrictive visa policies reduce career agency and risk eroding U.S. scientific leadership amid rising global competition and anti-immigrant sentiment. Data show only 17 percent of international STEM doctoral students relied primarily on fellowships in 2022, versus 29 percent of U.S. peers. Universities, employers, and scientific societies can adopt concrete measures to support international scientists' career independence.

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