EU told to end haphazard funding of university alliances

European university alliances represent a “unique model for systemic long-term collaboration in Europe” as the continent faces up to the changing geopolitical climate.

However, the current method of funding the 65 alliances is too haphazard to maximise their contribution in building a stronger and more united Europe, say key European higher education stakeholders.

Over 560 European higher education institutions have now come together through the 65 European Union-backed alliances since the initiative was launched in 2019, with the European Commission funding 80% of their running costs – mainly through the Erasmus+ programme.

But that leaves individual member states and universities themselves having to find the other 20% to cover running costs – and even more if they want to be more ambitious in terms of joint research and innovation on top of the collaborative degree programmes, which the alliances are best known for offering.

Growing pressure

In an exclusive interview with University World News, Olga Wessels, head of the Brussels office of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) and the main coordinator of FOREU4ALL, the network bringing together all of the European university alliances, welcomed growing pressure for a more sustainable funding base for the alliances.

In a joint appeal to EU chiefs and other funders, made with Professor Dr Beatrix Busse, chair of FOREU4ALL and chief development officer of the EUniWell European University Alliance, Wessels said: “What is needed is predictable funding, going beyond short project cycles. This is not only important for alliances but for EU funding to universities in general.”

At present, funding for the alliances comes from a variety of different European pots, such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe for research, and the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT), as well as some, but not all, national governments.

“Sweden, for instance, doesn’t do co-funding, but other countries like France and the Netherlands provide some financial backing from the state to universities in the alliances.

“This does make it a bit unequal, with some universities having to make up the 20% needed out of their own funds, and we know that many universities are under pressure to make budget cuts,” said Wessels.

Wessels told University World News that FOREU4ALL believes the European Commission values the alliances because they enhance the international competitiveness of higher education institutions in Europe and promote European values and identity.

“That’s very important for Europe right now. However, the fragmented and unpredictable funding landscape is a challenge for the alliances, and we encourage the European Commission to go further towards a sustainable long-term investment pathway,” Wessels noted.

She said the university alliances offer a “unique model for systemic long-term collaboration in Europe”, which is so important in the changing geopolitical climate, but the current funding method is too haphazard.

More clarity on costs

The latest to join the call for more sustainable funding for the alliances is the European University Association (EUA), which has over 900 members, including universities and national rectors’ conferences in 48 countries.

The EUA has just released its first in-depth report specifically looking at developing new strategies for financial sustainability of the European University alliances.

The report was written by Enora Bennetot Pruvot and Thomas Estermann, respectively deputy director and director of governance, funding and public policy development at the EUA, and is based on responses from 168 higher education institutions across Europe, including 98 that are already alliance members.

Estermann told University World News: “We want to bring more clarity and financial understanding into the debate, particularly around issues of costs and funding of the alliances, which is still often confused.”

He said: “If European universities alliances are to move from pilot projects to sustainable structures, they need more stable, diversified and strategically aligned funding, with clearer coordination between European and national (funding) instruments.

“Sustainability also depends on recognising the strategic added value of alliances for each institution and ensuring leadership ownership at the highest level.

“Our report outlines key areas for action, including developing a clearer understanding of the full costs associated with alliance activities, creating the conditions to fully realise the efficiency and cooperation potential within partnerships, and strengthening the connection between alliance governance and core institutional governance,” he noted.

Leadership is crucial in navigating and shaping these complex European partnerships, said Estermann, who added that it also means “adequate and predictable public investment” despite the current challenging financial environment.

“Financial sustainability is not about a single funding source – it is about creating the conditions that enable alliances and institutions to plan, invest and deliver lasting transformation in European higher education,” said Estermann.

Investment pathway

Busse, who is vice-rector for teaching and studies at the University of Cologne in Germany as well as a leading coordinating figure in the European university alliance movement, told University World News: ”We are looking to the European Commission for an investment pathway that is long-term and predictable and goes beyond short (EU) project cycles.

“We also need holistic funding that covers all university missions – education, research, innovation, and civic engagement – and connectivity rather than siloed programme strands.”

Busse said alliances ”thrive through bottom-up diversity”, while staying accountable, and “should be guided by a light touch that safeguards autonomy, creativity, innovation, and academic freedom”.

She called on the European Commission to create a “single access point with simplified application and reporting procedures” and “flexible institution-driven funding that goes beyond project logic”.

Busse said this would allow the alliances to “maintain their diversity of models” while also “adapting quickly” to Europe’s fast-changing societal and technological needs.

Calls to increase Erasmus+ budget

The growing calls for a new approach to funding the European university alliance come as the European Union is debating the size of its next multi-annual financial programme to cover 2028 to 2034.

The European Commission has proposed an increased budget of €40 billion (US$46.9 billion) for Erasmus+, up from the €26 billion in the 2021 to 2027 budget, to cover increased costs and a rising number of projects to fund, including the university alliances.

The European Parliament and higher education and research sector interest groups are calling for the commission and member states to go further, with a more than doubling of the next seven-year budget for Erasmus+ and want €60 billion. Tough negotiations lie ahead.

Nic Mitchell is a freelance journalist covering higher education and research news in the UK and Europe and runs www.delacourcommunications.com.