The number of graduate students in science being primarily supported by Federal agencies rose from 30,000 in 1983 to 43,000 in 1993, an annual increase of almost 4 percent. In the physical sciences, however, the number of students supported by the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Defense declined from 1988 to 1993. In fields of engineering, Federal support increased from 11,000 students in 1985 to 17,000 in 1993, an average annual increase of 5 percent. Nonfederal sources of support for science students also continued throughout this time, but at 2 percent annually, the growth rate was lower than that for Federal sources. In 1993, nonfederal sources slightly decreased the number of students supported in electrical, chemical, and mechanical engineering.
Large variations exist across different fields.
Only 7 percent of the physical science students were self-supporting. There is growing concern that major government support of graduate students is being accomplished through research assistantships. This form of support focuses doctoral programs on the training needs of the funded research projects, rather than on the broader educational needs of the students. Almost 90,000 students received their primary support from research assistantships in 1993, about half from Federal sources and half from nonfederal. Fellowships and research assistantships from various sources have recently leveled off or declined.