As the German Association of Doctoral Researchers (Bundesverband Promovierende e.V.), we are deeply concerned by the Dutch government’s recent decision to implement significant reductions in higher education and research funding. The planned cuts, amounting to €1.2 billion, mark a substantial shift in the Netherlands’ longstanding support for academic excellence and international collaboration. We stand in solidarity with researchers in the Netherlands, especially with the Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN) and all advocates for academic integrity in opposing these short-sighted policies.

This development is particularly distressing when global challenges from climate change to public health demand robust, well-funded research ecosystems. We stand with the
Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN) and all advocates for academic integrity in opposing these short-sighted policies.
We call thus upon:

• The Dutch government to prioritise investment in knowledge as a public good.
• Universities to resist pressures that undermine their mission and advocate.
• European partners to challenge this trend through coordinated action and structural funding safeguard.

We extend our active solidarity to our Dutch colleagues and will amplify their concerns in all relevant German and European fora. If you want to read our full statement you find this below.