Solving the “Junior-Year Problem”: CRA Quad Paper Proposes New Fellowship to Strengthen Domestic PhD Pathways

By Erik Russell, Director of Educational Initiatives, CRA-E and Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications

The Computing Research Association’s Education Committee (CRA-E) led the development of a new CRA Quadrennial Paper, Reversing the Computing Research Workforce Shortfall: Bolstering Domestic Student Pathways to PhDs, which highlights the urgent need for increased funding and support to strengthen domestic pathways to computing PhDs. 

The paper, authored by Susanne Hambrusch (Purdue University), Lori Pollock (University of Delaware), Mary Hall (University of Utah), and Nancy M. Amato (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), proposes establishing a new National Computing Research Workforce Fellowship to directly address a critical shortfall in domestic PhD production.

 

Addressing an Urgent Workforce Crisis

Computing research drives innovation, national security, and global competitiveness. However, the United States faces a growing crisis: while student interest in computing at the undergraduate level has surged dramatically, growth in domestic PhD graduates has remained stagnant. From 2010 to 2023, annual domestic computing bachelor’s degrees grew by over 65,000 — nearly tripling — but PhDs among domestic students increased by only 433 graduates. This disparity weakens the nation’s ability to sustain technological advancement, especially in critical fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum computing.

This shortfall is not just an academic concern; it directly impacts national security. Domestic PhD graduates are crucial for sensitive positions requiring security clearances in defense, cybersecurity, and intelligence sectors. Continued loss of talent from the PhD pipeline risks undermining U.S. technological leadership and security interests.

A Critical Gap in Current Efforts

Current programs funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and private sectors, such as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs), NSF Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP), and the CRA managed NSF Distributed REU (DREU) and NSF CSGrad4US Fellowship programs, provide essential, but limited support. 

These programs typically reach students already inclined toward research careers. However, a significant number of talented undergraduates opt for lucrative industry internships during their junior year, often committing to industry employment before seriously considering graduate study.

The CRA-E-led Quadrennial Paper identifies this crucial moment — the junior year — as the optimal point for intervention, before industry recruitment leads students away from potential research careers.

National Computing Research Workforce Fellowship

To address this pivotal gap, the authors propose a comprehensive new initiative: the National Computing Research Workforce Fellowship. The program would engage students beginning in their junior year, offering an extended undergraduate research experience, mentorship, and robust financial support for those who continue to PhD programs.

Key components of the proposed fellowship include:

• Extended Undergraduate Research Experiences: Students begin research in their junior year and continue through their senior year, gaining direct exposure to research careers.
• Mentorship and Career Guidance: Personalized guidance helps fellows navigate graduate applications, clarify career pathways, and build connections.
• Graduate Fellowship Support: Fellows admitted to PhD programs receive funding covering tuition, stipends, and research expenses, alleviating financial pressures.
• Internship Opportunities: Graduate fellows gain access to internships in government labs, federal agencies, and industry, further expanding career opportunities.

The Urgent Need for Funding and Action

The authors stress that immediate funding and policy support are essential to implementing this fellowship. Without urgent investment, the U.S. risks falling further behind, jeopardizing its technological leadership and national security. 

By intervening at the junior year, the proposed fellowship can retain and nurture talent, significantly increasing domestic PhD production and strengthening the research workforce.

A Strategic Investment in America’s Future

The National Computing Research Workforce Fellowship represents a strategic investment in sustaining America’s competitive edge. By actively supporting talented students who might otherwise turn to industry careers, this program would bolster U.S. research capabilities, safeguard national security, and foster a more sustainable computing research community.

To learn more about the proposed National Computing Research Workforce Fellowship and how it could significantly strengthen domestic PhD pathways in computing, read the full quadrennial paper, Reversing the Computing Research Workforce Shortfall: Bolstering Domestic Student Pathways to PhDs. You can also explore the full CRA Quadrennial Paper series, which highlights key challenges and research opportunities across computing fields, to understand how the computing research community is shaping strategies to address national priorities.