Knowledge institutions warn against the Netherlands’ frugal approach in Europe

The Dutch government wants to limit the European budget, but this will also mean a smaller research budget, knowledge institutions fear. They are urging the cabinet to stand up for science and innovation in Europe.

As the European Union’s new multiannual budget approaches, the political battle is heating up. How will the money be allocated from 2028 to 2034? Last year, the European Commission made an ambitious proposal: double the entire EU budget.

The research and education sector responded enthusiastically. The Commission also wants to significantly increase the budget for the Horizon science programme, from 93 to 175 billion euros. The European Parliament even considered 220 billion.

But the Dutch government wants a smaller EU budget. This has prompted concern among knowledge organisations. In a letter to the prime minister and the minister of finance, universities, universities of applied sciences, university medical centres, the KNAW, NWO and student organisation ISO are calling not for a smaller EU budget, but a ‘smart’ one.

Competing

Given the current geopolitical tensions, the knowledge institutions say it would be ‘extremely unwise to cut funding for Horizon Europe’. Dutch researchers also have a lot to lose: they receive relatively large amounts of EU funding.

Countries such as the United States and China are investing heavily in knowledge and technology, they warn. The Netherlands is heavily dependent on Europe to compete with them. Research and innovation should therefore be explicitly named as ‘strategic priorities’ in a smart budget, and funding should be increased to 220 billion euros.

Negotiations

This afternoon and evening, the House of Representatives will debate the Dutch position in the negotiations. On Thursday and Friday, there will be an EU summit in Brussels, where government leaders must reach agreement on the multiannual budget.

In recent months, opposition from the frugal Netherlands and Germany has already led to the Commission’s proposal being scaled back. Since then, one watered-down plan after another has followed. And in each one, the Horizon budget has also been cut, the Dutch knowledge institutions say.

Traditionally, much EU funding has gone to agricultural subsidies. For years, the Dutch position has been to shift more money towards research and innovation. In the coming months, member states will have to make decisions. They will then discuss the matter with the Commission and the European Parliament.