(24 November 2016) – Almost a decade has passed since the financial crisis broke out, but universities across Europe are still feeling the pinch. While budgets were preserved or even increased in 11 countries, they were cut drastically in 13 others. EurActiv has published an infographic on this trend.
As governments decrease financing, they raise pressure on universities to obtain funding from other sources, including from the EU and the private sector.
But universities find it harder to obtain EU funds which tend to be oversubscribed. Universities applying for grants under the EU’s multi-billion Horizon 2020 research programme typically have a low success rate in the first calls for proposals.
On the brighter side, the European Commission says funding for Erasmus, the EU’s celebrated student mobility scheme, has increased over time, with more students benefiting from the programme than they did years ago.
Universities are now calling for more sustainable and simplified funding schemes with less administrative burdens wherever possible in order to support their activities. (EurActiv)