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HRK warns against plans to cut the EU budget for research and development

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:33:00 +0200

Today, EU heads of state and government are beginning their deliberations in Brussels on the European Union’s next financial framework for the years 2028 to 2034. The current draft allocates fewer funds to research and innovation than the European Parliament and the European Commission have proposed to date. At the same time, the European Commission is already planning significant cuts to the Horizon Europe funding programme for the 2027 budget.

Commenting on this, the President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, said today in Berlin:

“Europe faces the challenge of strengthening its capacity for innovation, competitiveness, technological sovereignty and societal resilience in an environment increasingly characterised by geopolitical tensions. Joint European investment in research and development is key to this.

It therefore sends the wrong signal when the European Commission allocates less funding to Horizon Europe in its draft budget for 2027 than in the previous year. And it is extremely problematic that the current Cyprus Presidency of the European Council is proposing a mere €148.6 billion for research and development funding under the next EU financial framework, which is due to come into effect in 2028. As a result, the EU Council of national governments is likely to fall well short of the €175 billion deemed necessary by the European Commission as recently as April, or the European Parliament’s call for €200 billion.

Particularly at a time when budgetary resources are becoming increasingly scarce overall, European cooperation in research and innovation must be a priority. No single Member State can, on its own, deliver the scientific breakthroughs and technological capabilities that Europe needs for competitiveness, security and societal resilience.

I call on the German federal government and the Members of the European Parliament to make a strong case, in the forthcoming budget negotiations, for reversing this trend and for significantly increasing European investment in research and development.”

Note (22 June 2026):
The figures given are accurate, but are based on differing calculation methods, which means that their relative proportions appear exaggerated when compared directly.

The amount of 148.6 billion euros proposed by the Council Presidency is based on the cost structure for the year 2025 (so-called constant prices). By contrast, the funding proposals from the European Commission and the European Parliament set out in the press release are based on so-called current prices, which already take into account the expected rise in prices (inflation). We regret any misunderstanding that this may cause.

To ensure that the figures can be easily compared, the following comparison is clearer:
a) Calculated on the basis of constant prices:
€148.6 billion (EU Council’s proposal) compared with €154.9 billion (EU Commission’s request) compared with €177.0 billion (European Parliament’s request)
b) Calculated on the basis of current prices (taking inflation into account):
€167.9 billion (EU Council’s proposal) compared with €175.0 billion (EU Commission’s demand) compared with €200.0 billion (EU Parliament’s demand)

Katharina Riedel is elected the new spokesperson for the HRK’s Universities Member Group

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 10:48:00 +0200

Prof Dr Katharina Riedel is to become the new spokesperson for the Universities Member Group of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). On Tuesday, the microbiologist and Rector of the University of Greifswald was elected in Berlin to succeed Prof Dr Anja Steinbeck in this role. In accordance with the HRK rules of procedure, Riedel will therefore also become a Vice-President of the HRK. The term of office for Riedel and the other members of the spokespersons’ board begins on 1 December 2026.

Prof Dr Tanja Brühl, President of the Technical University of Darmstadt, was elected deputy spokesperson for the members’ group. The extended spokespersons’ board once again includes Prof Dr Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg, as well as the newly elected Prof Dr Barbara Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen. She succeeds Prof Dr Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover, who did not stand for re-election.

The HRK’s member groups facilitate the exchange of views on issues relating to a specific type of university. The spokespersons’ board prepares the member group’s meetings and continually represents its interests within the HRK and beyond. The HRK rules of procedure stipulate the member groups for Universities and the Universities of Applied Sciences as mandatory.

“A completely wrong signal in terms of educational policy”: HRK criticises the possible scrapping of the BAföG reform

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:01:00 +0200

The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) has criticised surprising comments made to the media by the Federal Minister of Research Dorothee Bär, which suggest that the fundamental reform of the German Federal Training Assistance Act (Bundesausbildungsförderungsgesetz; BAföG) announced in the coalition agreement may be scrapped. Recent statements from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag point in the same direction. Even the increase in the BAföG housing allowance, recently agreed upon by the governing parties and due to come into effect from the 2026/2027 winter semester, is therefore now in doubt.

HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal said: “The shift in political sentiment that is emerging here is absolutely baffling and sends out a completely wrong signal in terms of educational policy. BAföG is a key tool for promoting educational equity and thus helps to ensure a supply of skilled labour. In contrast to other forms of state financial support, BAföG funding rates have been increased only marginally over the years. In view of rising housing and living costs, fewer and fewer eligible students can make ends meet on the current funding rates. This discourages people from taking up a degree programme and jeopardises their chances of graduating.”

HRK Vice-President Prof Dr Susanne Menzel-Riedl: “Education is Germany’s key resource. Investing in this area secures the future. This applies in particular to the BAföG. In Germany, the decision for or against an academic education has traditionally depended heavily on whether parents are able and willing to fund their children’s studies. BAföG, on the other hand, also enables talented young people from less well-off backgrounds to take up a degree programme. This isn’t about a ‘comprehensive cover’ mentality, it’s a matter of equal opportunities. At present, BAföG reaches only 12% of students, and many of those receiving support are granted only partial funding, even though their parents are unable to finance their studies. We cannot afford to make access to higher education more difficult by imposing financial barriers, thereby leaving untapped potential for science, business and society.”

The HRK continues to call for a “major amendment” to the BAföG scheme, with the aim of creating a structurally new, transparent, digitally manageable and reliable federal system of support for education and training through genuine reform. BAföG must reach more students again. In the HRK’s view, this includes, amongst other things, direct payment of child benefit to students as a basic form of support independent of parental income, adequate funding rates, an increase in the proportion of students receiving support through a needs-based expansion of funding entitlement, supplemented by reliable student loans and the full digitisation of procedures.

Background:
HRK resolution “Equitable academic education without the risk of poverty” of 13 May 2025 (in German only)

HRK President on the current draft bill to amend the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (WissZeitVG)

Fri, 29 May 2026 08:53:00 +0200

The President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, has issued the following initial response to the draft bill on the amendment of the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz; WissZeitVG), which was made public on Thursday evening:

“German universities expressly welcome the fact that the long-awaited draft bill on the WissZeitVG is now available. This represents a significant step forward for the amendment process initiated during the previous parliamentary term and which will hopefully be successfully concluded soon.

It is encouraging to note that the regulations that have now been announced have, on the whole, been streamlined. They are written in a way that makes them easier to read and understand. This can only be beneficial to the debate on the purpose and scope of this law. The draft legislation also includes long-overdue updates that have already become law because of current case law and EU legislation.

It is also positive that the proposal to reduce the maximum duration of fixed-term contracts during the postdoctoral phase – which was discussed at times during the previous parliamentary term – has been shelved. This would have unnecessarily hampered innovative research projects and had foreseeable negative consequences for the individual career and qualification prospects of early-career researchers across all disciplines – for example, regarding a habilitation.

One key change in the draft legislation is the introduction of minimum contract terms for initial contracts of three years for doctoral candidates and of two years for postdoctoral researchers. The HRK had itself proposed this as appropriate for the doctoral phase during the last attempt to amend the legislation under the ‘traffic-light’ coalition government. We are therefore pleased that the legislator intends to follow this approach and has included it in the draft.

However, a second change—intended to give priority to the time limit on the qualification period over the time limit on third-party funding—is problematic. This jeopardises the transfer of research findings to industry and society, something that politicians otherwise strongly advocate. Not every third-party funded project, particularly those involving partners from industry and the business sector, will be able to cover the desired minimum duration of the fixed-term qualification period. In many cases, such projects do not, in any event, serve the purpose of academic qualification in the strict sense. The proposed new regulations fail to recognise the social function and statutory role of third-party funded research.

The HRK will once again participate in the upcoming parliamentary consultation process in a critical yet constructive manner. Regardless of the narrow scope of the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act, universities are committed to providing attractive working conditions and to a needs-based differentiation of academic career paths with additional permanent positions alongside tenured professorships.”

Security-related research and development: Universities are rising to the challenges and calling for support

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:23:00 +0200

At its most recent meeting in Weimar, the General Assembly of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) set out its position on the current challenges and requirements relating to security-related research and development at universities. In its resolution, it emphasises the vital contribution made by universities to the security and resilience of society and sets out areas where action is needed within universities, as well as recommendations for policymakers at both federal and state level.

The HRK members point out that, against the backdrop of a changing global security landscape, universities contribute in various ways to building and maintaining peace. Universities decide autonomously on the nature and scope of this contribution, based on their own individual profiles.

Prof Dr Georg Krausch, HRK Vice-President for Research and Academic Career Paths, explains:

“Security-related research is not the same as military research and development. Insights from conflict and peace studies, linguistics, history, regional studies, communication and media studies, and theology are indispensable for a comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of security-related developments. It also includes areas such as civil security, social resilience and cybersecurity. German universities can contribute here with their wide range of disciplines and as highly networked hubs within the academic system.

The specific requirements of security-related research and development make it necessary for universities to exchange information with one another and to network with other stakeholders. Increased security requirements may entail technical and infrastructural demands for which many universities are currently not yet prepared, or are only partially prepared. Establishing joint structures could be an effective approach here.

Furthermore, we need funding programmes for security-related research in which universities, as the key players in scientific research and development in Germany, are eligible to apply.”

View text of the resolution

Strengthening research and education as the foundations of Europe’s innovative capacity and competitiveness

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:20:00 +0200

In a joint statement, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and its partner organisations from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain call on their respective governments and the European Commission to significantly expand European cooperation in research and higher education. And they ask to allocate sufficient funding for this purpose in the next EU financial framework from 2028 onwards. According to the statement, the economic and geopolitical situation requires even stronger investment in research and education at European level than previously planned.

HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal said in Berlin today:

“The European Union relies on its innovative capacity and competitiveness to remain capable of acting autonomously in an increasingly politically fragmented and uncertain world. Research and education are strategic resources and provide essential foundations for economic strength, technological autonomy, democratic stability and social cohesion. It is essential that the next multi-annual financial framework and the future EU programmes for research and education are designed with a view to the future.

Against this background, we support the European Parliament’s emerging call for a budget of €220 billion for the 10th Framework Programme and €60 billion for Erasmus+. Cooperation in research, technological development and innovation, the mobility of researchers, lecturers and students, and the free exchange of ideas, knowledge and competencies should be ensured and sustainably strengthened at European level, even as financial resources become increasingly scarce. No Member State can tackle the challenges of our time on its own.

In future, European research and education policies must be considered in an even more systematic way if want to remain successful. Through their diverse, cross-border partnerships in research and teaching, universities make an active contribution to this. Not least the European University Networks offer great potential for strategic cooperation in the field of academia. Such networks should, therefore, receive longer-term EU support. And, as recently proposed by the DFG, the HRK, and the German Science and Humanities Council, they should be complemented by a new format of thematically focused networks of excellence for institutions with a particularly strong research profile.”

Regarding the search of the rector’s offices at the University of Belgrade

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0200

The President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Professor Dr Walter Rosenthal, and the HRK Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, Professor Dr Angela Ittel, commented today on recent reports regarding the search of the rector’s offices at the University of Belgrade (Serbia) on 31 March 2026 as follows:

“According to consistent media and eyewitness reports, the Belgrade Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday ordered a search of the University of Belgrade’s rectorate as part of a large-scale operation by the anti-corruption authority and the criminal investigation department. This was accompanied by intensive reporting by pro-government media. The search, during which documents and computers were seized, is reportedly linked to the tragic death of a student last Friday. The circumstances surrounding this death must, of course, be clarified. However, we find the massive and, in its effect, intimidating action taken by the investigating authorities disturbing and it casts doubt on the principle of proportionality. The university and the rectorate have pledged their full cooperation. It would be unacceptable if domestic political conflicts were to be played out here at the expense of the university. We strongly urge those in charge to respect university autonomy and academic freedom without exception.”

HRK Executive Board calls for the preservation of university autonomy

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:53:00 +0100

Responding to public debate about the decision by the Rectorate of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf to permit a student-organised event on campus with artist Basma al-Sharif on her film works, the President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Professor Dr Walter Rosenthal, issued the following statement on behalf of the HRK Executive Board:

“German universities see themselves as places of open discussion and dialogue. Following on from the HRK resolution ‘Protecting universities as a free space for discourse’’, I would like remind the fact that, within the framework of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the arts and sciences, of research and teaching, universities fulfil their responsibility to facilitate a space for academic discourse as comprehensive as possible and wherever possible. Within the limits of the law, every university, represented by its leadership, has the right to determine autonomously the forms of academic discourse. The Executive Board of the HRK expects politicians and society to show the necessary respect and support for those people at universities who are committed to upholding academic and artistic freedom even under difficult circumstances. This must apply regardless of whether academic or artistic contributions to the discourse reflect one’s own views. Specifically, the decision in favour or against an academic event must not be made the subject of disciplinary or personnel law considerations in a prejudicial manner. Incidents such as those at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf must not lead to a knee-jerk political reaction that calls into question the autonomy of universities, which is enshrined in the Basic Law.”

DFG, HRK and WR Propose Nexus – a New Funding Instrument for Networks of Excellence at EU Level

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:39:00 +0100

Joint Press Release

Funding aims to bring together Europe’s distributed excellence and ensures greater visibility in global competition

How can European research be made more competitive globally? To address this question, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK, Hochschulrektorenkonferenz) and the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR) presented a discussion paper entitled Nexus – Networking excellence – Enabling participation – Transforming European Science in Brussels on 3 March. In it, they propose strengthening the connection between hubs of research excellence within the European Research Area. Nexus is intended to complement existing funding instruments by intensifying institutionalised cooperation between Europe’s leading universities and research institutions. The idea was inspired by the Draghi report on European competitiveness, authored by the former President of the European Central Bank in 2024. The report outlines a highly competitive instrument for institutions with a strong research profile, i.e. an “ERC for institutions” – a reference to the European Research Council (ERC).

The DFG, HRK and WR propose that Nexus should fund networks of excellence consisting of at least three universities or research institutions from different countries. The networks would conduct research on a jointly selected topic that is of strategic importance to the participating institutions. The guiding principles should be a science-led selection process, a focus on excellence, openness to all disciplines and topics, and integration into strategic processes at the universities and research institutions. From the perspective of the DFG, HRK and WR, the ERC would be the ideal place through which to implement Nexus in line with these principles. If Nexus were to be implemented elsewhere within the Framework Programme, it would be essential to adhere to these principles.

Nexus grants would provide funding for each network with €20 million per year over a period of seven years. If established within the ERC, 20 networks could be funded in a pilot phase. This would require additional funding to be made available under the new EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10, 2028–2034: €2.8 billion) in addition to the planned ERC budget. After the pilot phase, the implementation and impact of Nexus should be evaluated in order to decide on its continuation.

“Our concept aims to connect Europe’s distributed excellence more systematically than before and based on research topics chosen by the researchers themselves, leveraging synergies among Europe’s universities and research institutions. This will enable cutting-edge research in Europe to achieve the critical mass needed for future scientific breakthroughs. In this way, Nexus will not only be able to overcome fragmentation within the European Research Area, but also strengthen the resilience of Europe’s research and innovation landscape and further enhance Europe’s international visibility as a globally competitive region for research and innovation,” said DFG President Professor Dr. Katja Becker at the presentation of the concept in Brussels.

HRK President Professor Dr. Walter Rosenthal commented on the joint proposal: “By establishing thematically focused networks that bring together leading actors from universities and research institutions and by providing them with strategic support, Nexus would increase the international visibility of Europe’s cutting-edge research. This will require streamlined application procedures, openness to all topics and the entire spectrum of European cutting-edge research – from knowledge-driven to application-oriented research. In this way, Nexus could strengthen Europe’s scientific performance and provide positive impetus for European society.”

Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wick, Chair of the German Science and Humanities Council (WR), added: “Competition for ideas, talent and resources is increasing rapidly, so Europe should set new priorities in the short term. Alongside existing instruments with predefined topics, there needs to be more competitive funding that is open to all topics. Germany’s Excellence Strategy demonstrates that a lot can be achieved when topics are not predetermined, but where strong emphasis is placed on creativity and bottom-up cooperation in research. The aim of Nexus is to help universities and research institutions connect cutting-edge research across national borders in a way that is sustainably competitive.”

The joint proposal for the Nexus funding instrument builds on the experiences gained by the DFG, HRK and WR from German Excellence Initiative and Excellence Strategy: these have shown that initiatives to promote cooperative excellence can significantly strengthen the international competitiveness and visibility of universities and other research institutions. Nexus does not simply transfer the German model to the EU level, however, but tailors the proposed networks of excellence specifically to European needs.

Further Information
The Nexus concept is available for download here: www.dfg.de/resource/blob/389814/dfg-hrk-wr-proposal-nexus.pdf

Media contact:
Benedikt Bastong, DFG, Press and Public Relations, Tel. +49 228 885-2109, pressedfg.de

Dr. Christoph Hilgert, HRK, Head of Communications, Tel. +49 30 206 292-224, hilgerthrk.de

Georg Scholl, WR, Head of Communications and Public Relations, Tel. +49 221 3776 243, georg.schollwissenschaftsrat.de

Call to preserve academic freedom and university autonomy in Georgia

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:56:00 +0100

The President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Professor Walter Rosenthal, and Professor Angela Ittel, HRK Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, have signed the international “Declaration of Solidarity with Ilia State University”. The Georgian government’s move to drastically cut the range of courses offered by Ilia State University in Tbilisi is an attack on academic freedom and university autonomy. Back in December, the HRK and partner organisations in Austria, Poland and Slovakia warned against this step, which is based on a national reform concept from October 2025. Despite international warnings, the Georgian government has begun implementing the plan, which will reduce the range of courses offered by Ilia University to barely 10 per cent of the previous offering. The HRK would welcome as many German universities as possible joining the declaration of solidarity.

Federal-state agreement: “Finally clearing the renovation backlog at universities”

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 09:29:00 +0100

Today, the federal and state governments have agreed on a comprehensive programme to accelerate the modernisation and renovation of universities and academic institutions in the short term. This means that the federal states will have up to €1 billion per year from 2026 to 2029 for the construction, renovation and modernisation of research infrastructure and daycare centres.

HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal explained today in Berlin:“The universities expressly welcome the fact that the federal and state governments have agreed on a legal framework in a short space of time so that the federal government can provide urgently needed funds for investment in university construction, including for the renovation of existing buildings. We must finally clear the backlog of renovation work at universities. The universally recognised need for investment is in the hundreds of billions. This need cannot be met within four years with the funds that have now been made available. It is therefore clear that the agreement that has now been reached can only be the start of a long-term cooperation between the federal and state governments in university construction.”

According to Rosenthal, the funds from the federal-state agreement reached today, the special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality and their own budgets will provide the federal states with a unique opportunity to rapidly implement the renovation and modernisation of research infrastructures together with the scientific community. “The agreement can significantly accelerate ongoing or planned renovation projects at universities and, above all, enable additional measures,” explained Rosenthal. “However, this will only succeed if the federal states honour the funding commitments they have made to date, simplify planning and approval procedures and expand the universities' room for manoeuvre.”

To ensure the success of the agreement, he added, it is now important to quickly start additional construction, renovation and modernisation measures together with the universities. In addition, the federal states should set up a strategic planning process to address in the long term the continuing backlog of refurbishments, which will at best be slowed down by the current agreement.

Digital higher education and artificial intelligence: BMFTR funds HRK projects

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:34:00 +0100

The digitalisation of studying, teaching, research and administration as well as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday university life are the focus of two projects of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), which are now being funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD).

The HRK project KI-LOTSE (National Service Centre for AI in Higher Education) aims to support German universities in tapping into the potential of artificial intelligence. Among other things, the new service centre will develop dialogue and advisory formats and publish guidelines on the legal, technical and organisational integration of AI applications.

The follow-up funding provided for the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation; HFD) will also continue the successful advisory service on the digitalisation of studying and teaching. The joint project, which has been supported by the HRK, the Stifterverband and the CHE Centre for Higher Education since 2014, remains the central point of contact and driving force for the further development of digital higher education, including its infrastructural requirements. The HFD supports the trial and concrete implementation of innovative approaches with topic-specific publications, training and advisory services.

Professor Dr Ulrike Tippe, HRK Vice-President for Digitalisation and Academic Continuing Education, thanks the BMFTR for funding both projects:

“Digitalisation and artificial intelligence are permanently changing the way we work, obtain information and interact with our environment. Dynamic developments in the field of AI in particular are currently creating completely new fields of application for universities in research, study and teaching as well as administration. The HRK’s KI-LOTSE will make it easier for universities to systematically tap into the transformative potential of AI. This is a strategic task. A particular focus of the project will also be on enabling students to approach AI in a reflective way. We are equally pleased about the continued funding of the Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation, which will enable the further expansion of this sustainable network. Especially in view of rapid technological and political developments, the possibility of direct, cross-institutional dialogue is important. Only through intelligently conceived and utilised collaborations can we adequately meet the numerous challenges, develop digital resilience, build skills and drive innovative ideas at universities,” says Tippe.

Background

KI-LOTSE
With the KI-LOTSE project (National Service Centre for AI in Higher Education), which runs from January 2026 to March 2029, the HRK is setting up a service centre to support universities across Germany in the strategic use of artificial intelligence. Among other things, the project will advise universities on legal, technical and organisational issues that arise when AI is used in teaching, studying, research and administration at universities. The project will also build up a central collection of application examples and make them accessible online. Guidelines on specific topics will also be made available.
www.ki-lotse.ai

Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation (“HFD 4.0”)
As a transfer-oriented competence centre, the Higher Education Forum on Digitalisation (HFD) brings together a broad community around digitalisation in studying and teaching, contextualises technological trends and supports the concrete implementation of innovative approaches. It provides networking, advice and support for stakeholders in academia, politics, business and society. Launched in 2014, the HFD is a joint initiative by the Stifterverband, the CHE Centre for Higher Education and the German Rectors' Conference (HRK). The joint project will be funded in a fourth period from January 2026 to 2030 by the BMFTR (HFD 4.0).
www.hochschulforumdigitalisierung.de/en

HRK President Walter Rosenthal welcomes the United Kingdom's re-entry into the EU's Erasmus+ mobility programme

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:23:24 +0100

The President of the German Rectors' Conference, Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal, welcomes the decision that the United Kingdom will rejoin the European Union's Erasmus+ programme from January 2027. After years of intensive talks between the British government and the European Commission following Brexit, an agreement has been reached today that will re-establish valuable mobility and exchange opportunities, particularly for students from the United Kingdom and the European Union.

“The United Kingdom’s return to the Erasmus+ programme is a strong signal in favour of closer cooperation in European higher education. I very much welcome the fact that this agreement has been reached. Erasmus+ is a flagship European project. Like no other programme, it offers unique opportunities for intercultural exchange and personal development to particularly young people in Europe. Students and researchers can immerse themselves in a different academic culture and sharpen their own profile. These are life-changing experiences. The German and British higher education and research systems will benefit immensely from the United Kingdom’s re-entry into the European mobility programme.”

Improving plans for the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation: strengthening excellence, creating reliable framework conditions, securing collaborative research

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:37:58 +0100

The European Union is currently setting the course for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) from 2028 onwards. The German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and the Leibniz Association welcome the EU Commission’s decision to maintain a standalone programme of research and innovation funding. However, they call on the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament to improve this programme, which is of central importance to the European Research Area. In the further legislative process, a strong focus should be placed on improving its connection with the new European Competitiveness Fund. FP10 must stand for excellent science, reliable funding programmes and strong collaborative research.

With FP10, the EU is setting out the research and innovation guidelines for its corresponding funding programmes until 2034 and is planning a total budget of around €175 billion for this purpose. The upcoming decisions on the funding’s scope, focus and set of regulations will have a decisive influence on Germany’s attractiveness as a research location. In a joint expert opinion, the DFG, HRK and the Leibniz Association therefore identify the challenges and gaps in the plans currently under discussion and point out solutions for a sustainable strengthening of European research.

Professor Katja Becker, President of the DFG, says: “If Europe wants to succeed in the global competition for the best researchers and the best research, it is vital to again place scientific excellence unequivocally at the heart of FP10. With the European Research Council and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the EU has instruments that enjoy high international regard, promote outstanding research and support scholars in early phases of their career – but they are chronically oversubscribed and structurally underfunded. We therefore need significantly higher funding that can be reliably predicted, as well as an adjustment of the grants to real cost structures and a clear rejection of any political logic in project selection. Excellent research requires independence, a willingness to take risks and science-led procedures.”

Professor Walter Rosenthal, President of the HRK, says: “From basic research to market-orientated development, we need customized and also effectively and efficiently interlinked funding models. It is therefore vital to coordinate and fund the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, the Competitiveness Fund and accompanying measures in such a way that they offer reliable funding conditions for innovative research at universities and research institutions. This should include appropriate and long-term funding, transparent application and selection procedures, and smart project funding management. All of this needs to be kept as unbureaucratic as possible so that researchers can focus on their work.”

Professor Martina Brockmeier, President of the Leibniz Association, says: “Collaborative research in the second pillar of the Framework Programme is the real backbone of the European Research Area, which sees universities, non-university institutions and companies work together across national borders. For the future it remains important that funding isn’t restricted to short-term economic benefit. Rather, it must cover the entire spectrum from early, exploratory research to application-oriented projects in a broad, open and competitive manner – with competitively awarded funding that also opens up opportunities for smaller consortia. The social sciences and humanities must be systematically included in this process.”

Joint statement by the DFG, HRK and Leibniz Association

Press contact:

Marco Finetti
Head of Press and Public Relations at the DFG
Tel.: +49 228 885-2230
marco.finetti@dfg.de

Dr Christoph Hilgert
Head of Communications at the HRK
Tel.: +49 30 206292-224
hilgerthrk.de

Dr Tim Urban
Head of Communications of the Leibniz Association
Tel.: +49 30 206049-470
urban@leibniz-gemeinschaft.de

HRK President welcomes GWK decision to increase the DFG overhead

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:31:00 +0100

At a meeting of the Joint Science Conference (GWK) today, the federal and state governments agreed on increasing the programme overhead for DFG-funded research from 22% to 25%. The President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, expressly welcomed this decision. At the same time, he noted that the universities’ needs, which are recognised by all sides, require a significantly higher overhead.

“The universities are grateful to the federal and state governments that this important agreement has now been reached. Against the backdrop of tight public budgets, the increase in the overhead to 25% is an important success and a step in the right direction,” said Rosenthal. ”However, given the increase to 30% that had been announced in the coalition agreement at federal level, this cannot be the final say. As a study commissioned by the BMFTR [Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space] in 2024 found, a 45% raise would actually be required. The German Council of Science and Humanities already emphasised in 2023 that the overhead, which has long been structurally too low, restricts universities [CK1.1]in their strategic capacity.” The HRK President warned against making cuts in other areas of universities in order to cross-finance the agreement that has now been reached. "The HRK will closely monitor the design of the arrangement and insist that the slight increase in the overhead is not offset by a deterioration in other areas." In Rosenthal's view, the problem of inadequate basic funding for universities is particularly evident in the overhead. Universities, he adds, were far too dependent on third-party funding regarding their research.

Background:
OverheadThe DFG overhead, introduced in 2007, is a grant for additional expenses of universities in for the implementation and administration of third-party funded projects that are not covered by the funding itself. It was increased from 20% to 22% in 2016. The overhead is intended to prevent universities from having to cover these so-called indirect costs with their basic funding. The need to cover indirect costs leads to the paradoxical situation that universities are the more limited in their scope of action the more successful they are in acquiring research funding.

HRK President on the personal threat to Israeli and Jewish academics via an anonymous website

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:13:20 +0100

Statement by Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors‘ Conference, on the personal threat to Israeli and Jewish academics via an anonymous, now-closed website that offered financial rewards for intimidation and harassment attempts, including death threats, related to the Middle East conflict:

"This inhumane action is breaking taboos and shocks me deeply. Right now, we need a constructive, academic discourse and a rule-based culture of debate instead of boycotts, intimidation, open threats and hatred. Academic freedom and the personal integrity of scholars must be protected at all costs, even in situations of political conflict. That a bounty has been placed on the heads of individual academics, explicitly because they are leading Israeli and Jewish researchers, is intolerable, unprecedented and cannot be justified by any means. My solidarity is with the colleagues affected and their families."

Find a personal report by Professor Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, here.

Working together to improve academic and career guidance: Federal Employment Agency and German Rectors’ Conference agree on new collaboration

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:31:00 +0100

Today in Berlin, the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) agreed to strengthen sustainably academic and career counselling through even closer collaboration. Both partners have signed a cooperation agreement to expand their collaboration in advising prospective and current students as well as graduates. The aim of this cooperation is to make it easier for young people to access high-quality and coordinated counselling services on educational and career paths. Its purpose to provide guidance and support, particularly in the transition between school, university and work, which is often perceived as challenging. Coordinated information and individual support can ease the process of deciding on educational and career paths.

The cooperation is a response to current social and economic changes: Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, sustainability and demographic change are bringing profound changes to job profiles and qualification requirements. At the same time, the demand for qualified specialists and flexible educational pathways is growing. The complementary or joint counselling and support services are aimed at maximising educational attainment, securing suitable employment and promoting personal development. BA and HRK are therefore advocating closer cooperation between employment agencies and universities and, on this basis, also want to encourage further regional and local cooperation with other stakeholders in educational and career counselling. The specific details will be agreed upon at the local level.

“Many students are already familiar with our careers advice service from their school days. Our counsellors are also there for them during their studies if they need that,” said Andrea Nahles, Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the Federal Employment Agency. ”The fact that career guidance can be integrated into university structures illustrates the growing permeability and equivalence of vocational and academic education.”

Professor Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors’ Conference, explained: “Universities have a key responsibility in supporting students and prospective students on their educational path and offering a wide range of prospects for their professional future. The cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency strengthens this role as it complements the range of own academic advisory services offered. This collaboration means that prospective and current students can receive even better and more targeted support.”

Saxony Cooperative State University and Medical University of Lausitz – Carl Thiem admitted to the HRK

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:14:00 +0100

At its 41st meeting in Osnabrück on Tuesday, the General Assembly of the German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) approved the admission of the Saxony Cooperative State University and the Medical University of Lausitz – Carl Thiem. Membership of the HRK is open to higher education institutions operating in Germany that are public or state-accredited universities in accordance with state higher education legislation.
Furthermore, they have to be similar to the higher education institutions in the HRK member group to which they are assigned upon admission in terms of organisational structure, management structure and quality assurance. The HRK now has 272 members following the merger of Bochum University of Health Sciences and Bochum University of Applied Sciences to form the University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Business and Health in January.

The Saxony Cooperative State University emerged from the “Berufsakademie Sachsen” on 1 January 2025. It offers more than 60 practice-oriented and practice-integrated degree programmes in the fields of technology, business, social care and healthcare at its seven locations. Around 4,200 students are currently enrolled. More than 2,500 partners enable students to gain insights into the professional world and build a personal network at an early stage. Saxony Cooperative State University has been assigned to the HRK member group “Other Universities”, which includes Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University.

The Medical University of Lausitz – Carl Thiem in Cottbus is a Brandenburg state institution founded on 1 July 2024. The patient care department and clinical practice is based at the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus. The university’s teaching and research programmes will be gradually established and expanded over the coming years. The first enrolled students are due to begin their studies in human medicine in the 2026/27 winter semester. The Medical University of Lausitz has been assigned to the HRK member group “Universities”.

The German Rectors‘ Conference is a voluntary association of public and state-recognised universities in Germany. More than 90 percent of all students in Germany are enrolled at HRK member institutions. This makes the HRK the Voice of the Universities in dialogue with politicians and the public and the central forum for opinion-forming in the higher education system.

The HRK deals with all issues relating to the role and tasks of universities in academia and society, especially teaching and learning, research, innovation and transfer, academic continuing education, internationalisation, and university self-administration and governance.

Elections to the HRK Executive Board: one new Vice-President, six members confirmed

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 11:05:00 +0100

Today in Osnabrück, the General Assembly of the German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) elected or re-elected seven Vice-Presidents for one-year terms on the recommendation of the HRK President, Professor Dr Walter Rosenthal.

Professor Dr Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk, President of Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI), was newly elected. From 1 December 2025, the biologist and medical informatics specialist will focus on the topics of transfer and sustainability as HRK Vice-President. She succeeds Professor Dr Dorit Schumann, President of Trier University of Applied Sciences, who did not stand for re-election after a total of five years on the HRK Executive Board.

The following individuals were confirmed as members of the HRK Executive Board:
Professor Dr Ulrich Bartosch, educationalist and President of the University of Passau, as Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education,
Professor Dr Angela Ittel, psychologist and President of the Technical University of Braunschweig, as Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity,
Professor Dr Georg Krausch, physicist and President of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, as Vice-President for Research and Academic Career Paths,
Professor Dr Susanne Menzel-Riedl, biology teaching specialist and President of the University of Osnabrück, as Vice-President for the Higher Education System and Organisation,
Professor Dr Ulrike Tippe, mathematician and President of Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences, as HRK Vice-President for Digitalisation and Academic Continuing Education,
and Dr Arne Zerbst, philosopher and President of the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design in Kiel, as Vice-President for the culture of cooperation within the higher education system and matters relating to Universities of the Arts.

The HRK Executive Board also includes the President as well as the spokesperson of the Universities Member Group, Professor Dr Anja Steinbeck, Rector of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, and the spokesperson of the Universities of Applied Sciences (Hochschulen für Angewandte Wissenschaften/Fachhochschulen) Member Group, Professor Dr Jörg Bagdahn, President of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences.

The HRK President and the General Assembly thanked the outgoing Vice-President, Professor Dr Dorit Schumann, for her many years of commitment. They noted her outstanding contribution to promoting the value of university transfer activities and the embedding of sustainability as an integral part of university development.

Largest global sports festival for students gets underway in Germany: FISU World University Games 2025 celebrate elite sport and academic community

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:02:00 +0200

The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, the world’s biggest multi-sport event of the summer, kicks off on Wednesday in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region and in Berlin. From 16 to 27 July 2025, almost 8500 student athletes, coaches and officials from around 150 nations will come together at 23 different locations to compete for medals in a total of 18 disciplines. In addition to top sporting performances at the highest international level, it is also about an unforgettable community experience.

Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), commented in Berlin today: “The FISU World University Games are not only one of the world’s largest sporting events, they are also a lively celebration of academic encounters. Sport is an integral part of campus life. It promotes community and team spirit but also contributes to well-being and health. The athletes who are now coming together at the FISU Games combine the academic training of a degree programme with the demands of high-performance sport on a daily basis. They have my and our utmost respect. For German universities, the FISU Games offer an excellent opportunity to welcome many of their international partners in academia, sport and society – both in the sporting competitions and at the accompanying academic conference.”

Prof Dr Ulrich Bartosch, HRK Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, notes: “At these Summer Games, athletes with and without disabilities are competing together for the first time, as 3x3 wheelchair basketball, a pure para-sport, is part of the regular competition programme. The FISU World University Games thus send out a strong signal for inclusion in practice – both in elite sport and in everyday academic life at universities. Understanding, respect and fairness are the values under which the student athletes and numerous international delegations will come together on the Rhine and Ruhr and in Berlin between now and the end of July – including those from crisis regions affected or threatened by violent conflicts. The HRK would like to thank the German University Sports Federation (adh) for its great merit in bringing the FISU World University Games to Germany. We wish all participants a fair, successful and memorable festival of encounters.”

Impetus for the recognition of educational achievements during studies: HRK project MODUS completed

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:53:00 +0200

After five successful years, the “MODUS – Enhancing student mobility across educational boundaries through recognition” project of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) will end on 30 June 2025. It supported German universities in strengthening and structurally developing their recognition practices for educational achievements and competences. The recognition of credits earned at other universities or in another degree programme, as well as the recognition of competences acquired outside of higher education for university studies, aims to promote the national and international mobility of students, lifelong learning and flexible learning paths, and to make the education system more permeable in general.

In close cooperation with university and non-university experts, MODUS developed quality-assured standards for modern recognition procedures, prepared relevant information for universities, prospective students and students, and also provided impetus for innovative further developments – such as the digitalisation of processes and the possible use of artificial intelligence.

Prof Dr Ulrich Bartosch, HRK Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, explains: “Recognition of academic study and prior learning gives shape to a wide range of prior qualifications and competences and makes them tangible. Individual educational pathways can be pursued, expanded or reoriented easier.. This applies in particular to prospective students with professional experience, international students and students who are studying abroad or changing their degree programme. MODUS has used its specialist expertise to make important adjustments to ensure that such transitions are even more successful in an increasingly flexible education system. The guidelines and impetus must now be systematically taken up and further implemented locally. The federal and state governments can effectively support this through policy prioritisation and sustainable use of funds.”

HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal says: “The HRK’s MODUS project has made a significant contribution to ensuring that qualifications acquired at other institutions or in other educational contexts can be appropriately recognised, taking into account the high quality of academic education. This also allows the educational policy ideal of lifelong learning to be better formally realised. I would like to thank the dedicated project team, the participating experts and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, whose funding has enabled the HRK to provide important impetus for greater permeability in the education system with MODUS.”

Background
Between August 2020 and the end of June 2025, the HRK project “MODUS –Enhancing student mobility across educational boundaries through recognition” supported German universities in making their recognition practices more transparent and efficient. Recognising achievements and competences from previous learning experiences, for example from previous study or employment, can effectively strengthen student mobility and permeability between different areas of education. This enables an increasingly heterogeneous student body to organise their studies flexibly and to pursue new learning paths between professional and academic qualifications in different phases of their lives. MODUS was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) resp. the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

In just under five years, MODUS has supported seven universities in comprehensive advisory processes and carried out training courses at 33 universities. The project also organised a total of 16 specialist conferences, 22 online seminars and nine workshops. The results of the work led to 15 publications, among other things.

The key materials and results of MODUS will continue to be available on the project website www.hrk-modus.de after the end of the project. With the “Practical Handbook on Academic Recognition and Recognition of Prior Learning at Universities” (only available in German), MODUS has created a comprehensive handbook to support practical work at universities. Students and prospective students can find basic information about academic recognition and recognition of prior learning on the MODUS website “AN!” (https://www.anerkennung-und-anrechnung-im-studium.de/).

100 years of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem – congratulations and signs of solidarity

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:11:00 +0200

The President of the German Conference of Science Ministers, Minister Martin, and HRK President Professor Rosenthal congratulate the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on its 100th anniversary in difficult times and also signal solidarity with Israeli partners in academia.

The German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) and the German Conference of Science Ministers (WissenschaftsMK) would like to congratulate the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) on its 100th anniversary. On this occasion, the President of the HRK, Walter Rosenthal, and the President of the Conference of Science Ministers, Bettina Martin, Minister for Science, Culture, Federal and European Affairs of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, send their congratulations to one of Israel‘s most internationally renowned universities.

“The Hebrew University has been an outstanding centre of research and teaching for a century. Jewish intellectual giants of the early 20th century in Europe, including from Germany, namely Albert Einstein, are among the founding fathers and mothers of HUJI. Today, it stands for excellence in research, international cooperation, social engagement and academic freedom in a special way. These values connect us very closely with HUJI,” explains Rosenthal.

Bettina Martin emphasises: “Academic relations between Israel and Germany have grown over many decades and are of particular importance. Especially in challenging times like these, it becomes clear how important stable partnerships, dialogue and mutual support are. The close cooperation between our universities is an expression of lived solidarity and shared responsibility for the past, present and future.”

Due to the current situation, a visit to Israel planned for this week by a delegation led by the HRK and WissenschaftsMK on the occasion of HUJI‘s anniversary celebrations had to be cancelled. The HRK and WissenschaftsMK would like to send a clear signal of support all the more. “The entire Israeli academic community deserves our special attention and support in these difficult times,” says Martin.

“Right now, it is crucial to maintain academic dialogue and further strengthen it through cooperation,“ adds Rosenthal. „Israeli universities and academic institutions are important spaces for discourse, for both academia and civil society, and thus supporting pillars of a liberal, democratic society in Israel. This requires encouragement and solidarity from all of us.”

HRK President: As the EU, we should support and strengthen Academia and research in Israel, not weaken it

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:08:49 +0200

Calls for a suspension of the EU Association Agreement with Israel or even a boycott to the detriment of Israeli science and international university cooperation with Israel, as can currently be heard in some quarters of European academia, were once again clearly rejected by the President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, in Berlin today:

”Israeli universities and the academic community in Israel as a whole have always been a strong liberal, democratic force and a central element of academic and ethical reflection and balance, especially in the Middle East conflict – within Israeli society, in cooperation with Palestinian partners and in the international context. Especially now, they make an important contribution to maintaining links and exchanges between people, institutions and societies affected by conflict and war. Jewish and Arab Israelis and Palestinians have in many cases been studying, researching and working together there for years, providing important impetus for the challenges of the present and the shaping of the future, despite all the adversities of regional and international conflicts. This requires encouragement and support from all of us. In these challenging times, civil society institutions, such as universities and academic research institutions, should experience solidarity and be strengthened in their specific role and autonomy.

I therefore consider calls for the suspension or cancellation of the Association Agreement between Israel and the EU, with all the implications for participation in Horizon Europe, for example, to be wrong and fatal in its consequences. This would considerably weaken academia and research in Israel in its internationally recognised output as well as innovative capacity and would cause lasting damage to it as an important voice of academic reasoning in Israel that analyses, mediates and brings together different perspectives and interests.”

HRK President on the RIAS study: not letting up in the fight against anti-semitism

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 09:59:00 +0200

The Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (Bundesverband der Recherche- und Informationsstellen Antisemitismus; RIAS) today presented its annual report “Antisemitic Incidents in Germany 2024”. The President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, comments:

“The RIAS report is depressing proof that anti-semitism is still widespread in Germany and that resolutely countering it remains a task for society as a whole. The significant increase in anti-semitic incidents at universities in 2024 also shows that we must not let up in our efforts to combat and prevent all forms of anti-semitism.

Behind the figures published by RIAS are personal attacks, threats and insults that place a heavy burden on those affected. If they withdraw from universities, if they hide their Jewish identity in public out of fear, this violates elementary values of our universities and our democratic society. We must all oppose this without any ifs or buts.

In the past year, we have seen that posters, graffiti and stickers with anti-semitic content were frequently seen and anti-semitic chants were heard, particularly at Israel-related protests. Universities became the stage for such actions because they have a special visibility as places of academic education and research. The activists aim to aggressively dominate universities as public spaces and to normalise anti-semitism.
Universities will continue to take decisive action against all forms of anti-semitism. They will do everything in their power to ensure that Jews can feel safe at our universities. Due to their social function, universities have a special responsibility in this regard, even if a relevant proportion of incidents are obviously caused by people who are not university members.

Through research on anti-semitism, Jewish life and the Middle East conflict, through education that is critical of anti-semitism and through exchange programmes with Israel for students and researchers, universities empower their members and also society as a whole to take a stand against anti-semitism in everyday life and at university. Increasingly, universities have also appointed anti-semitism officers who advise those affected and organise preventative measures. The HRK supports this with the ‘Competence Network for the Prevention of Anti-semitism at Universities’, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).”

HRK President criticises US government action against Harvard University

Fri, 23 May 2025 09:01:00 +0200

HRK President Walter Rosenthal criticises the US government’s decision to ban Harvard University from accepting international students and to force enrolled international students to transfer to other universities or lose their residence status as an unjustifiable attack on academic freedom itself.

“The political pressure currently being exerted on universities and academia in the USA is simply catastrophic. The measures taken by the Trump administration at federal level, but also in some individual states, are difficult to reconcile with the principles of the rule of law, they massively and lastingly jeopardise the performance of the US research system and contradict the values of a liberal society – ultimately everything that the USA has stood for as a role model worldwide for decades.

The most recent order, which is intended to prohibit Harvard University from accepting or continuing to teach international students and forces them to transfer to another US university or even threatens them with expulsion, hits hard. This is an unjustifiable attack on academic freedom itself. The move is deliberately aimed at the autonomy of Harvard University. Research and teaching must be free and committed solely to academic criteria and standards. This includes maintaining universities as meeting places for international students and leading researchers.

Universities are part of society and the fight against anti-semitism, for example, is important. However, anti-semitism is being used here by the Trump administration as an excuse to take action against liberal, independent researchers and teachers and their institutions. In concrete terms, this is also being done by systematically weakening the financial basis of the institution.

The exclusion of international students threatens to eliminate the income from tuition fees that is relevant to Harvard’s budget. Of course, all of this particularly affects the international students themselves, whose future is being made the plaything of ideological interests.

If science and humanities in the USA are now being shut down, patronised and restricted for political reasons, this will cause enormous damage to the global research system. German universities stand in solidarity with their US cooperation partners at universities and other academic institutions.”

Start renovating and modernising university infrastructures now

Tue, 20 May 2025 09:28:00 +0200

The members of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) are calling on the federal government, the Bundestag and the federal states to quickly and decisively initiate the necessary renovation and modernisation of university infrastructures. In a resolution passed in Magdeburg on 13 May, the HRK members refer to the fast-track university construction initiative stipulated in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. An implementation is proposed which, after immediate infrastructural measures to ensure core research and teaching activities, also provides for a procedure for the long-term resolution of the renovation and modernisation backlog by the federal and state governments.

In view of the critical condition in which a significant part of the university building infrastructure currently finds itself, the first, immediately necessary step must be to maintain or restore its functionality or to keep universities operating by accelerating replacement construction measures. In a second step, the HRK members are also calling on the federal and state governments to conclude a long-term ‘Transformative Universities’ pact for the future in order to enable urgently needed energy-efficient refurbishment and modernisation measures on a long-term and reliable basis.

“We very much welcome the fact that the new coalition partners are recognising the urgent need to modernise and renovate university buildings in terms of energy efficiency, which has existed for many years due to a lack of funding. The announcements must now be quickly followed by action,” says HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal. “As part of the announced fast-track construction programme, priority is to be given to renovating or replacing university buildings that are already closed or at acute risk of closure and are essential for ongoing research, studying and teaching. At the same time, the federal and state governments must not stop at this emergency aid. We must also gradually make the universities' building infrastructure fit for the future to be able to compete internationally for the best academics and students.”

Prof Dr Susanne Menzel-Riedl, Vice-President of the HRK for the Higher Education System and Organisation, explains: “The universities are continuing to develop in a highly active and pioneering manner in terms of construction work, in order to conserve resources with a view to sustainability and to be able to react flexibly to future demands on university buildings. What we now need in university construction is, firstly, rapid and unbureaucratic provision of funds totalling at least €38 billion from the federal government's special fund for infrastructure investments and, secondly, the start of a continuous, joint commitment by the federal and state governments with transformative investments of €2.6 billion each year.”

“The total funding requirement for securing existing buildings and, in particular, the energy-efficient refurbishment and modernisation or replacement of the future structural infrastructure of universities is currently estimated to be at least €90 billion – not including the additional requirements of the digital transformation, university hospitals or student services,” Menzel-Riedl explains, referring to relevant model calculations.

In addition to these investments by the federal and state governments, she adds, it is imperative that building regulations are eased at state level in order to make rapid progress in resolving the backlog of renovation and modernisation work in university construction. “Above all, the process time between planning and commissioning must be significantly shortened and planning security increased at the same time. Universities should be more closely involved in the renovation and modernisation of their building infrastructure in all phases,” says Menzel-Riedl. A reorganisation of federal and state responsibility for financing university construction would offer an unique opportunity to critically examine the existing building regulations.

View text of the resolution

HRK calls for “Cybersecurity alliance for universities”

Wed, 14 May 2025 15:53:00 +0200

The General Assembly of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) met in Magdeburg on Tuesday to discuss the current extremely high threat situation for universities regarding cybersecurity. Recommendations were adopted for universities, the federal states and the federal government to help ensure IT operations at universities and the safeguarding of particularly sensitive data, even in view of the increased dangers and specific challenges following the so-called turning point in history.

“The cyber risks and threats for universities as large, intensively networked institutions with complex IT infrastructures and a large number of students, employees and cooperation partners accessing them, have recently become much more exacerbated once again, as confirmed by security authorities,” explains Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), in Berlin today. “Due to their data from research, teaching, transfer, technology and administration, universities are more prone to cyberattacks with the aim of espionage or sabotage. This is not least because they have access to often highly sensitive data from industry through application-related research and development. What we need now is a broad 'Cybersecurity alliance for universities',” urges Walter Rosenthal.

According to Rosenthal, this alliance needs to bring together, support and consolidate the efforts of universities, federal states and federal government for effective protection against attacks. He adds that this would require a total of €400 million annually at all three levels within the framework of the constitutionally regulated exemption from the debt brake for defence and security spending. Rosenthal calls for such an innovative cooperation and funding model that specifically takes into account the cybersecurity needs of universities to be implemented quickly and led by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

“In its overarching role in national security, the federal government has a special responsibility to also become active in the cybersecurity of universities,” explains Prof Dr Ulrike Tippe, HRK Vice-President for Digitalisation and Academic Continuing Education. “This includes improving early warning systems, identifying response options, promoting cross-border communication and ramping up relevant research.”

Above all, the HRK member universities call on the federal states to expand cross-university structures, for example for comprehensive data protection. In addition, country-specific reporting channels and contact persons should be named and there should be decisive action to expand continuing education programmes.

But the universities themselves also need to take action: “Modern, forward-looking concepts with multi-level security systems and a triad consisting of preventative measures, differentiated emergency plans and regular crisis exercises are required for resilient IT operations and the necessary information security at universities,” says Ulrike Tippe. “Universities also have a major responsibility regarding the ongoing development and teaching of cybersecurity practices. In view of this diverse profile of requirements, a large proportion of the annual funding required for the 'Cybersecurity alliance for universities' must actually be available for local measures.”

View text of the recommendation

Federal Research Minister Bär as guest at HRK General Assembly

Tue, 13 May 2025 09:38:00 +0200

Today, at the 40th General Assembly of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) in Magdeburg, the new Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee Bär, emphasised the important and indispensable role of universities for society and the German research and innovation system. Bär had travelled to Otto-von-Guericke-University at midday to meet the assembled German university leaders.

“We are delighted that the minister, still so new in office, is immediately addressing the pressing issues of higher education policy and seeking direct dialogue with the universities,” says HRK President Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal. “When we strengthen our universities, then we strengthen the renewal of our country – there is nothing to add to this commitment in the minister’s short speech. We eagerly anticipate the realisation of the goal formulated in the coalition agreement of a rapid and effective strengthening of the entire German innovation system and look forward to continued, trusting dialogue in this area.”

In her discussion with HRK members, Bär gave an insight into the innovation and higher education policy agenda of her newly structured Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). With a view to the international competitiveness of German science, the minister emphasised, among other things, the need for investment in university infrastructure.

Bär also acknowledged the role of universities as drivers of the future, creating new knowledge and skills as globally oriented players and engaging in dialogue with industry and society. The Excellence Strategy, she noted, is a “flagship” for free and excellent research. At the same time, Bär encouraged the universities not to slacken in their efforts to sustainably improve career paths and working conditions in research.

"No government should seek to dictate what is taught or researched at universities"

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:27:34 +0200

Professor Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), is concerned about the political pressure that research and public and private universities in the United States have recently been exposed to:

“The freedom of research and teaching and the autonomy of universities are essential guarantors of the performance and quality of universities and the research system. They are precious, indispensable – and at the same time, fragile. I am therefore deeply concerned about the growing political pressure on research and on public and private universities in the USA. President Alan Garber of Harvard University has made it clear: No government should seek to dictate what is taught or researched at universities. Ideological restrictions on who is admitted to study or who is employed at a university are equally unacceptable.”

HRK President on the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD for the 21st legislative term

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:04:00 +0200

The President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), Walter Rosenthal, comments as follows on the coalition agreement presented today:

„The German Rectors' Conference welcomes the fact that the coalition agreement presented today emphasises the paramount importance of education, research and innovation for the future of our country. The universities are recognised in all their performance dimensions in teaching, research and transfer and in their European and international activities, and are represented with many forward-looking projects. We naturally assume that the universities and, explicitly, higher education will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and that the numerous cross-cutting tasks, for example in the field of education and digitalisation, can continue to be well coordinated in the Federal Cabinet. Key demands of the HRK have been included in the fast-track initiative for university infrastructures and in the announcement of a 'major amendment' to the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).

The following aspects should also be emphasised:

• The announcement of the long-term perspective of the dynamised Future Contract for Strengthening Studying and Teaching in Higher Education, which is essential for university teaching and the universities as a whole, provides the necessary security.• With regard to research, the importance of the entire innovation chain from basic and application-orientated research through to transfer is explicitly recognised. The planned bundling of federal research funding measures and the associated reduction in bureaucracy are long overdue. In particular, simplifications in VAT, procurement and data protection law are promising approaches for universities. We welcome the clear commitment to research infrastructures such as the FIS roadmap, NFDI, NHR and research buildings as well as the announcement of a separate law for scientific animal experiments.

• The Excellence Strategy is an important instrument for the funding of top-level research and must be continued. Increasing the DFG overhead allowance to 30% is an important first step in the right direction. The call for an independent research framework programme at EU level is in line with the needs of science.

• The announced strengthening and acceleration of the transfer from research to industry and society is important and will be realised, for example, by supporting all universities in relation to spin-offs. The promotion of continuing education at universities and the bundling of application-related research in the 'Initiative Forschung & Anwendung' (Research & Application Initiative) make efficiency increases appear possible. This requires lean structures and rapid implementation and not necessarily new institutions, as the difficulties in the process of establishing DATI show. The relationship between the DFG and a planned DAFG must be clarified quickly in order to avoid duplicate structures and dysfunctionalities

• An expansion of the tenure-track programme and the extended continuation of the proven programme for female professors are logical, as is the targeted creation of incentives for new university governance models (e.g. a departmental structure).

• We are constructively involved in the amendment of the law regarding fixed-term employment contracts, the recording of working hours and the strengthening of research security in a way that is appropriate for the scientific community

• The special focus on changes in university medicine through top-level funding, the strengthening of clinical research and the continuation of the Network of University Medicine (NUM) with the involvement of all stakeholders is to be welcomed.“