University financing agreement signed

Reliability and planning security: With the new Hochschulfinanzierungsvereinbarung 2026 to 2030 (HoFV III), the state government is further strengthening its universities. Their basic funding will increase by around 700 million euros by 2030.

The agreement, with which the Baden-Württemberg state government ensures that further investment will be made in its universities, bears a total of 53 signatures. These include the names of Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, Science Minister Petra Olschowski and Finance Minister Dr Danyal Bayaz. "With the new HoFV III, we are setting the course for the future of universities in Baden-Württemberg. This is very good news for our academics, employees and students at our universities. With this agreement, we are strengthening the universities in the state-wide, national and international competition for teaching, research and transfer," said Science Minister Petra Olschowski at the press conference for the signing today (2 April) in Stuttgart.

"Baden-Württemberg has a unique university landscape. Every single one of these institutions is a training centre, research and innovation laboratory and meeting place," said Minister President Winfried Kretschmann after the signing ceremony. "We are not saving a single cent at our universities. On the contrary, we are talking about a total of around 23 billion euros that the state will spend on basic funding for universities from next year until 2030. Because the spirit of curiosity, courage and forward thinking cannot be valuable enough for us, especially in these times."

Significant increase in financial resources

With the HoFV III, the state government is emphasising its clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg's excellent university landscape, research and innovation as well as academic freedom, added Minister Olschowski. "We have managed to achieve a significant increase in funding for the universities and to finance the rising personnel costs. In view of the difficult budgetary conditions, this is not a matter of course. But especially in times of crisis, we need to invest in our strong universities with their inventiveness so that they can work on solutions to the challenges of our time." Universities are home to knowledge and bright minds, "numerous start-ups are founded there, new companies are created that develop and sell innovative products and technologies. This secures our prosperity and our technological leadership in the country."

Finance Minister Dr Danyal Bayaz added: "This agreement is a real investment in the future. Because we are investing in our most important resource, education. Our universities are crucial to Baden-Württemberg's economic success. For innovations, for successful spin-offs for the transfer of knowledge. The research infrastructure is also part of the state infrastructure and it is therefore important that we secure the funds for this in the coming years."

"University of the Future Programme 2030"

Basic funding in 2030 will be around 700 million euros higher than in 2025. To enable universities to adapt their study programmes even better to the needs of the economy and society and the demand from prospective students, the ‘University of the Future Programme 2030’ worth around 180 million euros will be added. This consists of the transformation budget and the transformation centres, among other things. The transformation budget is intended to improve study programmes at all types of higher education institutions and make them more attractive. "With the “University of the Future Programme 2030”, we are ensuring that universities can react quickly, flexibly and agilely to new developments and continue to tackle the ongoing transformation of the university," said Science Minister Petra Olschowski. For example, in the digitalisation of teaching. "The universities can freely dispose of the additional funds because they know best where to use the money."

100 additional professorships

Particularly attractive and unique in Germany are the so-called transformation positions, which can be used to finance around 100 new professorships including equipment. "This enables universities to tackle the challenges of transformation, which are also arising in the field of science, in a targeted, effective and rapid manner. For example, by allowing them to bring forward professorships in order to drive forward new focal points in teaching and research more quickly and further develop their degree programme portfolios."

The following points, among others, are firmly agreed in HoFV III:

Baden-Württemberg is increasing the basic funding of universities by 3.5 per cent per year from 2027.
Overall, basic funding will be around 700 million euros higher in 2030 than it is in 2025. Almost 200 million euros of this is ‘fresh’ funding for the universities, which they can freely dispose of.
The state will cover 100 per cent of the agreed personnel costs - including future wage settlements.
University 2030 future programme to further develop the range of courses on offer
Maintaining the total number of students in view of the continued high demand for academically qualified specialists.
Promoting fair employment conditions and promoting equal opportunities, diversity and equality.
Supporting the state government's climate protection goals.

Further information on the university funding agreement can be found at mwk-bw.de/hofv3