NWO Warns of Harmful Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts on Dutch Education and Research Sector

NWO Warns of Harmful Impact of Proposed Budget Cuts on Dutch Education and Research Sector

(IN BRIEF) This week, the Dutch Senate is deliberating the 2025 budget, which includes significant cuts to higher education and scientific research. NWO has expressed concern that these reductions will hinder the Netherlands’ ability to remain competitive as a knowledge-based economy and impact critical fields such as health, climate, and digitalisation. Despite some reductions to the cuts, the remaining reductions, particularly to scientific research, will affect universities and research infrastructure. The loss of PhD grants for teachers and a reduction in Open Science funding are also concerning, as they limit the country’s commitment to high-quality education and accessible research. The cuts are expected to be approved later this month.

(PRESS RELEASE) THE HAGUE, 21-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — This week, the Dutch Senate is reviewing the 2025 budget proposal, which includes significant cuts to higher education and scientific research. Ahead of the debate, NWO (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) has once again raised concerns about the long-term consequences of these cuts for the Netherlands’ position as a global leader in knowledge and innovation. The reductions are seen as a threat to the country’s ability to generate advances in critical areas such as health, safety, climate, and digitalisation, with potential consequences for talent retention and economic growth.

Marcel Levi, President of NWO, emphasized the critical impact of the proposed budget cuts, warning that knowledge and talent would be lost, leading to detrimental effects on the Dutch economy, strategic autonomy, and overall prosperity. “This will have lasting consequences as the brightest minds of tomorrow may choose to pursue their careers elsewhere or leave academia altogether,” Levi said, noting the specific risks to fields such as health and agriculture, where Dutch expertise is globally recognized.

Although the proposed cuts were somewhat mitigated, with a reduction of €748 million, 90% of the planned cuts to scientific research remain. NWO expressed its disappointment, stressing that the remaining cuts would severely affect universities and university medical centers, jeopardizing the Netherlands’ status as a knowledge-based country. “The cuts to research funding will hinder our capacity to provide solutions to pressing global challenges and diminish the talent pool we rely on for future innovation,” Levi added.

The cuts also extend to the scientific infrastructure that supports large-scale research. The 30 million euro reduction in the budget for national scientific infrastructure will lead to fewer projects being funded, directly impacting crucial advancements in fields like biology, energy, and earth sciences. These infrastructures, such as high-field magnets and innovative energy reactors, attract top global talent and are essential for solving complex scientific and societal challenges. One example is the world’s strongest MRI scanner, being constructed at Radboudumc, which would push the boundaries of medical imaging.

Another significant blow is the elimination of PhD grants for teachers across all education levels, which have historically provided valuable research experience that enhances teaching quality and bridges the gap between universities and schools. This is seen as a missed opportunity to improve education in the Netherlands, especially at a time when there is a push to elevate the country’s education standards.

Furthermore, the cuts to Open Science funding, which include halving the budget for Open Science NL, pose a major setback for the Netherlands’ leadership in making science more accessible, transparent, and collaborative. The success of the open-access movement was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where quick access to research and data proved crucial in combating the virus.

With the Senate set to vote on the budget later this month, the implementation of these cuts seems increasingly likely, marking a pivotal moment in the future of Dutch education and scientific research.

Media Contact:

Belinda van der Gaag
Spokesperson
+31 70 3494356
+31 6 51469454
b.vandergaag@nwo.nl

SOURCE: NWO

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