MULTI-YEAR BILLION BOOST FOR UNIVERSITIES DIRECTS MOST FUNDING TO DEFENCE AND CLIMATE RESEARCH
A broad majority in the Danish Parliament has agreed to allocate approximately DKK 19 billion to research through 2029. As proposed by the government in its proposal, the majority of the funding will go towards research in security, defence, climate, environment and health. DKK 4.3 billion for non-targeted research and innovation funding: It’s a vote of confidence in Danish research, says AU Rector Brian Bech Nielsen.
It wasn’t long after the government presented its proposal on 22 October for DKK 19 billion for research and an increase in basic funding for universities before a final agreement with the remaining parliamentary parties was ready.
On 5 November, a broad majority agreed on a deal – only the Citizens' Party, which has one mandate, isn't part of it.
Under the agreement, the Danish Parliament will allocate most of the funds from the research reserve funds under a comprehensive, long-term plan for the next four years, instead of negotiating the distribution of the research reserve each year. The agreement also continues last year's increase of DKK 500 million per year in basic funding for universities.
DEFENCE, CLIMATE AND HEALTH
The parties to the agreement have decided to allocate approximately DKK 14 billion to research in security, critical technologies, defence, climate and the environment, and health and life sciences. In addition, DKK 180 million will be allocated to research that can strengthen the social cohesion in the country. DKK 109 million will be prioritised to strengthen Denmark's international engagement and cooperation in the field of research and innovation, while DKK 46 million will be prioritised to "increase the visibility of research and trust in knowledge, as well as strengthen freedom of research."
DKK 4.3 billion for non-targeted research and innovation funding: DKK 2 billion will be prioritised for "risk-taking top-level research", while the remaining amount will go towards "more innovation and knowledge-based entrepreneurship".
Minister for Education and Research, Christina Egelund (Moderates), is pleased that a broad majority supports a "new political direction for Danish research and innovation," she said in connection with the presentation of the agreement.
"This means that we can seriously strengthen areas that are crucial to the safety and health of Danes, and we can ramp up the green transition and our ability to compete in a global economy. At the same time, we’re creating greater scope for risk-taking on wild ideas and giving universities even better opportunities to attract talent and top researchers," the minister said in a press release.
Danish universities: "Very satisfying"
In his role as chair of Danish Universities, AU Rector Brian Bech Nielsen called it a vote of confidence in Danish research.
"The fact that such a large majority in the Danish Parliament agrees to allocate funds from the research reserve funds over several years in this way is a vote of confidence in Danish research. It’s very satisfying that there is such broad support for focusing on research," he said in a press release.
The continuation of increased basic funding is also welcomed by Danish universities.
"It really is something we feel at the universities when the Danish Parliament prioritises basic funding. This allows us to further support free and curiosity-driven research and to prioritise innovation in new smart solutions, products and technologies," says Brian Bech Nielsen.
AU: “We’ll contribute substantially”
Specifically regarding Aarhus University, Brian Bech Nielsen writes in a comment on the agreement that AU has academic strengths in the three areas that receive the majority of the funding. Namely, Denmark's security, responsibility for the green transition, and health and life sciences.
We’ll contribute substantially in all these areas. In particular, I’ve noted that cybersecurity is emphasised in the final agreement. This is a crucial focus for Denmark, which also plays a prominent role in Aarhus University’s strategy towards 2030.
At the presentation of the proposal on 22 October, several attendees from the university sector pointed out that not all academic disciplines were being taken into account. Brian Bech Nielsen also notes this, but he emphasises that professional skills must still be brought into play.
“Not all disciplines at AU will be able to see themselves contributing directly to the focus areas prioritised in the agreements. The benefit to the social sciences and humanities will primarily take the form of the additional flexible funding I referred to above. Nonetheless, we must attempt to mobilise our full range of expertise. Human insight and the economic and regulatory aspects are also necessary for successful technological development. We are a comprehensive university, and that’s the source of our strength,” he writes.
CENTRE FOR GRUNDTVIG RESEARCH GETS peace to work
The agreement is overall similar to the proposal presented by the government on 22 October. However, the parties in the Danish Parliament have also made changes during the negotiations. For example, the Centre for Grundtvig Research at Aarhus University will now receive DKK 12 million annually through the next four years. This gives the centre peace to work, Brian Bech Nielsen points out, as the centre previously had to hope for a new one-year grant every year.
According to Altinget, DKK 10 million has also been added to research into nuclear power. Research in diplomacy, peace and conflict will receive DKK 10 million next year and DKK 5 million in the years after. In addition, the business academies and university colleges have been allocated an additional DKK 20 million in 2027-2029 for independent research funding, on top of the DKK 100 million for 2026 that was already included in the government's proposal.
The agreement has been split into two parts because the Liberal Alliance wishes to remain outside the part of the agreement that includes the Inge Lehmann talent programme for female researchers. This means that the Liberal Alliance is part of the first section of the agreement, which allocates up to DKK 14 billion for research, but isn’t part of the section where the free research funds are distributed. Liberal Alliance’s spokesperson on research, Sandra Elisabeth Skalvig, explains the following to Altinget:
“Some of the funds in this agreement come from an old agreement on early retirement and flexi-jobs, which the Liberal Alliance is part of. That’s why Liberal Alliance is demanding a two-part agreement, because we will not vote for gender discrimination," she told Altinget.
This text is machine translated and post-edited by Lisa Enevoldsen.