From 2026, Minister Bruins will reduce funding for scientific research at NWO by 8 million euros. This amount will increase to a structural cut of 21.9 million euros starting in 2029. This reduction is on top of cuts that were previously announced.
By allocating less money to NWO, the minister aims to restore the ‘structural ratio’ between the first (fixed) funding stream and the second. The second funding stream includes contributions to temporary research projects, such as the annual Veni, Vidi, and Vici grants. NWO is ‘unpleasantly surprised’ by the additional cuts. “It is concerning that research and education are once again affected”, says Chairman Marcel Levi.
Total of 1 billion
In his letter to the House of Representatives, Bruins elaborates on the cuts outlined in their agreement. The parties PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB had agreed that several ministries needed to cut a total of 1 billion euros in subsidies. Bruins is now taking on 361 million of that.
Bruins acknowledges that the cuts to scientific research will be painful. They are ‘potentially detrimental to the competitiveness of the Netherlands’. On Tuesday, it was announced that the Ministry of Health is also cutting subsidies for scientific research. This ministry will withdraw 72 million euros from its budget for researchers studying the quality of healthcare and the utility of healthcare spending.
HOP, Olmo Linthorst
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