Federal Council cuts funding for education and research by half a billion
Published: Friday, Mar 8th 2024, 18:30
Updated At: Friday, Mar 8th 2024, 18:30
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The Federal Council is cutting the payment framework for education, research and innovation (ERI) for 2025 to 2028 by half a billion francs. A total of CHF 29.2 billion is still planned. The reduction takes account of the financial situation.
The aim is for Switzerland to remain an international leader in education, research and innovation, as the Federal Council announced in its ERI Dispatch adopted on Friday. The holistic and long-term promotion of research, education and innovation is a success factor for competitiveness.
According to the Federal Council, a high quality of education and permeability of education are essential prerequisites for the development of the individual as well as for labor market and social integration. Education also helps to overcome technological and social challenges.
Guy Parmelin, the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), told the media that 45% of the Swiss population have a tertiary degree. This must be maintained.
The cornerstone of the Federal Council's ERI policy is the subsidiarity of the Confederation, the cantons and the economy. Funding is based on the freedom of research, bottom-up solution finding with a selective focus, competition and excellence.
In all areas, the message focuses on digitalization, equal opportunities, sustainability and national and international cooperation, as Parmelin said.
Controversial financial framework
The financial framework of CHF 29.2 billion corresponds to growth of 1.6 percent, not adjusted for inflation. Following the consultation, the national government reduced the individual credits and the payment framework by CHF 500 million in order to balance the budget. This means that the volume is CHF 1.3 billion higher than that of the 2021 to 2024 funding period.
Parmelin conceded that not all requirements could be met, taking inflation into account. Priorities had to be set. However, the ERI Dispatch complies with all legal requirements.
For example, the federal government is consolidating its cost sharing in vocational education and training at the legally prescribed 25%. The Federal Council will also continue to support universities, Federal Institutes of Technology, cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences in accordance with the current legal basis. "The Federal Council is submitting a balanced dispatch to Parliament within the limits of what is financially possible," explained Parmelin.
The credit framework of CHF 29.7 billion submitted for consultation had already met with fierce criticism from cantons, universities and left-wing parties. They demanded growth of 2.5 percent instead of the 2 percent not adjusted for inflation envisaged before the cut.
Money for various players
The new payment framework of CHF 29.2 billion finances measures in vocational education and training, continuing education, universities and the promotion of research and innovation.
Martina Hirayama, State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation, stated that education and research policy faced three challenges. Firstly, the economy needs an answer to the shortage of skilled workers, to which education close to the labor market contributes.
Secondly, the geopolitical situation is leading to increased investment in research and innovation, which makes international cooperation more important. Thirdly, answers are needed for climate change, the energy transition, digitalization and health.
The dispatch therefore focuses on the competitive promotion of research and innovation. The Swiss National Science Foundation, the innovation promotion agency Innosuisse and the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences are all involved in this.
Linked to this are initiatives in cutting-edge research, such as the national quantum initiative. International exchange is to be promoted by Movetia, the Swiss Agency for Exchange and Mobility. Due to the shortage of skilled workers, continuing education is another priority.
Established dialog "at risk"
The Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences have criticized the Federal Council's cut to the ERI funding framework. The ERI Dispatch adopted on Friday would result in an average funding gap of CHF 5.4 million per year over the entire funding period. According to the academies, this would have a "noticeable and lasting negative impact" on a network of over 100,000 scientists working on a voluntary basis. The established dialog between science and society would be jeopardized.
Moreover, the cuts would hardly bring any relief to the federal budget. The missing contribution for the academies totaling CHF 21.6 million corresponds to eleven percent of the academies' budget, but only around one thousandth of the total ERI funding amount of CHF 29.2 billion for 2025 to 2028, according to the association.
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