Hessian universities in crisis: budget cuts endanger the future!

Hessian universities in crisis: budget cuts endanger the future!

On July 17, 2025, the Hessian university pact for the years 2026 to 2031 was signed. This pact regulates the state funding of universities in Hesse and provides for significant structural cuts. Due to tax revenue falling short of forecasts, universities must expect a budget reduction of 30 million euros from 2026. The Hessian University Pact has been in force since 2002 and is negotiated between the state of Hesse and the universities.

The university pact includes both a base budget and a success budget. The allocations in the base budget are based on student numbers from 2020, while the success budgets are based on the achievement of goals in various areas such as research, teaching, gender and internationalization. However, the universities now have to start with a deficit of around one billion euros, which corresponds to 10% of the personnel budget. Previous budget increases have been eaten up by rising construction and energy costs as well as additional tasks.

Criticism and fears

University presidents have already expressed concerns about the cuts and warn that the cuts could affect the quality of research and teaching. They emphasize the need to maintain the attractiveness and performance of universities. Compensation for increases in personnel costs of up to 2.5% is only provided by the state. In addition, inflation-related increases in material costs remain uncompensated, which brings with it further challenges.

The Education and Science Union (GEW), the State ASten Conference and representatives of the FDP and the Greens vehemently called for improvements to university financing at a press conference. The planned cuts could lead to job cuts of up to 10%, which would seriously jeopardize the quality of studies, teaching and research.

• Keine Kürzung am Sockelbudget.
• Rücknahme der angekündigten Kürzung von 30 Millionen Euro.
• Vollständiger Ausgleich der tarifbedingten Personalkostensteigerungen ab 2026.
• Jährliche Dynamisierung des Paktes entsprechend der Inflation.

The GEW emphasizes that good working and study conditions require a solid financial basis. Precarious workers are particularly under pressure, and the impact on advisory services, research infrastructure and study programs is serious.

Future negotiations

The universities and their presidents are concerned about the next few years, as adjustments and structural changes will be necessary. It is hoped that negotiations will begin in the future in the event of an economic recovery. Matthias Büger from the FDP warns of the long-term consequences of the cuts for skilled worker training and the economic development of Hesse. Nina Eisenhardt from the Greens adds that the cuts could endanger Hesse's research and innovation power.

Overall, the mood among those involved is tense. The university pact is intended to secure predictable minimum resources, but the impending situation requires urgent attention and action on the part of the state government.

For more information, visit their websites Puk, Hessian University Pact and Education click.