NSB Sees Urgency in Addressing Future U.S. S&E Labor Demands

New figures on the proportion of foreign-born workers in science and technology occupations suggest the federal government must "act now" to meet future needs in science, engineering and technology fields, a new National Science Board (NSB) report argues. A sampling from 2000 census figures indicates a larger than previously known percentage of degree-holding, foreign-born professionals working in the U.S. in science and engineering (S&E) occupations, states NSB, the governing board for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Meanwhile, the number of H1-B visas issued to foreign-born workers in science and technology has declined.

According to NSF's figures, derived from the 1990 census, estimates of foreign-born workers in 1999 holding bachelor's degrees represented 11 percent of the total population in S&E-classified occupations. Foreign-born individuals with master's degrees held 19 percent of the S&E occupations held by master's recipients overall. Foreign-born Ph.D.s represented 29 percent of those positions.

The 2000 census figures, however, allowed for the first time a sampling that takes into account foreign workers holding degrees obtained in countries outside the U.S. When factored in, the estimated proportions of foreign-born workers in S&E occupations in 1999 rose between six and 10 percentage points per category. Foreign-born workers with bachelor's degrees actually represented 17 percent of the total in S&E positions held by people with bachelor's degrees. The foreign-born proportion went up to 29 percent among those with master's degrees, and 38 percent among doctorate holders.

During the 1990s, a large influx of foreign-born scientists and engineers took place across most fields, NSB observes. Also, from 2001 to 2002, H-1B visas for foreign workers in science, engineering and technology-related fields declined sharply from about 166,000 to around 74,000.

NSB began its review of the workforce in October 2000, recognizing then that global competition for S&E talent was intensifying while the number of native-born graduates entering the S&E workforce was declining, a trend likely to continue, it said. The newest figures confirm the need for national-level action to ensure the nation's capacity in these critical fields in the face of an increasingly competitive global market, NSB contends.

Among its key recommendations, NSB suggests the government should provide undergraduate students and institutions with substantial new support in scholarships, financial assistance and incentives to assure success in S&E study by American students. Similarly, more federal support is needed for graduate and postdoctoral research programs through improved stipends, benefits and interdisciplinary opportunities. Pre-college teachers of mathematics, science and technology also need better compensation, in-service training and support as an integral part of the scientific and engineering professions.

NSB also recommends a national effort to build a base of knowledge on international S&E workforce dynamics. In addition, it says the government must address how to best balance the needs of security while supporting policies that attract foreign-born talent and allow U.S. students to fully participate in much-desired research and education collaboration opportunities overseas.

The NSB report, The Science and Engineering Workforce – Realizing America's Potential, and other backgrounders are available at: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/pr03127.htm