Petteri Orpo’s Government will be enacting cuts in education and the core funding for higher education institutions. Research Professionals points out that economic growth requires investments in education and research. Quality education, teaching, and research form the foundation of Finland’s future and well-being and it must not be undermined.
In the mid-term policy review session, the Government decided to primarily boost economic growth through costly tax cuts. The importance of quality education, teaching, and research as drivers of economic growth was overlooked in the mid-term policy review decisions.
The Government decided to cut a total of EUR 65 million from the core funding of higher education institutions over the years 2026–2028. In addition, over EUR 50 million of the budgetary cuts previously decided on for the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture also target higher education.
‘These cuts are a slap in the face for research professionals. They do nothing to strengthen the operational conditions required to carry out research, such as the establishment of permanent positions for personnel, nor do they contribute to the attractiveness of research careers. Instead of weakening our situation, we need long-term and permanent strengthening of the core funding for higher education institutions’, says Antti Pajala, President of Research Professionals.
At the same time, as core funding for higher education is being cut, the Government aims to raise the level of education and increase the number of starting places in higher education. According to the Government Programme, at least half of the young adults in Finland will be completing a higher education degree in 2030.
‘The objectives and decisions of the Government conflict with one another. Any additional, one-off funding to increase the number of higher education admissions will not replace permanent and stable core funding’, states Nina Hahtela, Executive Director of the Union of Research Professionals.
‘An increase in the level of education is already resting on the shoulders of teaching personnel who are at the limits of their endurance. In order to achieve this objective, it requires full funding for additional starting places and care for human resources’, Pajala continues.
Research Professionals points out that investments in higher education are investments that pay for themselves. Economic growth and competitiveness require the strengthening of competence. High-quality education and the competence it generates are necessary for Finland’s much-needed innovations and impactful R&D activities. The operational conditions of higher education institutions are best safeguarded by providing predictable and stable core funding.
Minor investments in research and development activities at higher education institutions
In terms of science, research, and higher education, the Government’s decision to strengthen funding for R&D activities and to allocate it directly, for the first time, to the core funding of higher education institutions is a positive one.
The research and R&D activities of universities and universities of applied sciences will be reinforced by a total of EUR 30 million in 2026 and EUR 54 million from 2027.
‘The direct allocation of R&D funding to the core funding of higher education institutions is a welcome action, but the amounts are very moderate compared to the need’, Pajala assesses.
Research Professionals points out that R&D funding should be allocated more strongly and directly to specifically the research activities carried out in higher education institutions. Stable and strong core funding will ensure high-quality basic research and higher education, which are the foundations for Finland’s growth, competitiveness, and innovation. Safeguarding core funding also ensures the link between research and education and assures that the benefits of RDI activities are widely available to society as a whole.
Further information:
Antti Pajala, President
antti.pajala(at)tieteentekijat.fi
Nina Hahtela, Executive Director
nina.hahtela(at)tieteentekijat.fi