Future of universities: Brandenburg invests 78 million euros!

Future of universities: Brandenburg invests 78 million euros!

On October 7, 2025, Science Minister Dr. Manja Schüle and university presidents set a new course for the university landscape in Brandenburg. Significant agreements and new university contracts for all state universities in the country were announced at a press conference. These contracts aim to consolidate and promote the future of universities in Brandenburg. filmuniversitaet.de reports that universities will receive a total of 78 million euros over the next few years to implement the new contracts.

A central component of the agreements is the introduction of cross-university facilities that are intended to strengthen cooperation between the institutions. In addition, it was decided to reissue the 'Brandenburg Quality Standards: Gender-equitable, family-friendly and life-stage-oriented studying and working in higher education'. This document and the accompanying perspective paper on the further development of the Brandenburg higher education system provide a framework for the initiatives of the coming years.

Agreements and goals

The contracts run from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028. The aim is to promote equal opportunities and family-friendliness at universities and to support innovation and research projects. Among other things, the annual increase in funding for university financing is to be increased in order to meet the growing demands on teaching and research. The study place capacities should also be maintained and optimally used.

Particularly noteworthy is the Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU). With over 40% international students, this is the only technical university in the country and is being established as a central organizational center for science in the structural change in Lusatia. The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) also plans to expand its research strength and focus more on sustainability.

International orientation

Promoting internationalization is another focus of the new university contracts. The Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWFK) supports international cooperation and will provide an additional 1.2 million euros from 2025. These funds will also be used to promote doctoral studies, which is particularly important for the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP). Your President, Prof. Dr. Eva Schmitt-Rodermund, signed the university contract together with Minister Schüle and emphasized the importance of strategically expanding the FHP's organizational profile.

This initiative is part of a larger European trend towards the internationalization of universities. According to a resolution by the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in Saarbrücken, the international mobility of students and scientists is to be further increased. A European strategy up to 2030 initiated by the German Research Foundation (DFG) also focuses on international cooperation and formulates clear goals.

Overall, the new university contracts and the associated agreements are an important step for Brandenburg's university system. They are intended not only to strengthen teaching and research, but also to help position the country as an attractive location for students and scientists. The successful expansion of cooperation between universities and with non-university research institutions is seen as crucial for the future viability of the Brandenburg university landscape.