The article examines the issues of research and academic personnel reproduction in Russia. The main relevant statistical indicators are given in dynamics. The author considers various factors affecting the reproduction of researchers and reasons for their outflow from sciences. Among them there are: financial security for scientific research and remuneration of labor; motivation to engage in research activities; career aspirations; precarization of scientific activity; the presence of schools of thought and leaders; bureaucratization of activities and excessive control; technocratic approach in science management, etc. The issues related to the preservation of intellectual potential and the formation of the prestige of research activities are updated. The main problem is the growing contradiction between the reduction in the number of researchers and academic staff and the emerging need to strengthen the scholarly potential of the country in modern conditions.