International Students & Scholars in STEM in the U.S.

Executive Summary

This paper is part of a 3-part series of research primers focused on the opportunities and challenges faced by U.S. technology hubs. When considering innovation and competitiveness, human capital is a critical contributor to success. Whereas reports 1 and 2 focus on sources of funding, this report focuses on labor and talent, specifically on international students and scholars studying and working in the STEM fields.

The United States has long been a leader in international education and research. Boston, home to many world-class universities and research institutions, hosts thousands of international students and scholars each year. A majority of these students and scholars are pursuing degrees or careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. STEM students and scholars contribute substantially to the American economy, generating billions in revenue for their home institutions while producing cutting-edge research and patents. In advanced fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, where there is a shortage of native-born graduates, international STEM students and scholars help fill the talent gap and sustain the highly-skilled workforce the United States needs to maintain its competitive edge in science and innovation. Recent developments, however, have cast doubt on the United States’ ability to keep attracting top STEM talent from around the world.

This report explores the primary factors contributing to the recent drop in international student enrollments in the United States. First, restrictive federal immigration policies have prevented international STEM talent from coming to study or work in the United States. Second, the rise of xenophobic rhetoric has contributed to an unwelcome atmosphere for foreign students and scholars. Third, heightened government concerns over academic espionage, research security, and foreign interference has led to greater scrutiny and surveillance of foreign-born academics. Lastly, the global competition for foreign STEM talent has grown fiercer as other countries like China and Canada are ratcheting up efforts to attract and retain international STEM students and scholars.

Losing the race for international students and scholars would be a blow to the United States’ global leadership in science and technology. University leaders and policymakers must adopt innovative solutions to bolster the foreign STEM talent pipeline. We outline several recommendations to consider to advance U.S. competitiveness including developing new immigration pathways for highly skilled STEM workers, expanding and streamlining existing programs, and refining a national strategy for welcoming immigrants. We also provide suggestions for strengthening the integrity of the American research ecosystem including: enhancing collaboration and training between authorities and researchers, improving security structures and procedures, and aligning grant requirements across agencies.

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