With half a billion francs: the Federal Council cuts back on education and research

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Minister of Education Guy Parmelin (64) puts the red pencil on: The Federal Council reduces the payment framework for education, research and innovation (BFI) for the years 2025 to 2028 by half a billion francs. He still provides a total of 29.2 billion francs. The reduction takes into account the tense financial situation.

Despite the cuts, the goal remains for Switzerland to remain an international leader in education, research and innovation, says Parmelin. The holistic and long-term support of research, education and innovation is a success factor for local competitiveness.

According to the Federal Council, high quality of education and the permeability of education are essential conditions for the development of the individual and for integration into the labor market and into society.

Economically, it lays the foundation for inventiveness, creativity and innovative entrepreneurship. The education sector also helps overcome technological and social challenges.

Digitalization, equal opportunities, sustainability, collaboration

The Federal Council’s ERI policy for the period 2025 to 2028 describes subsidiarity and partnership as key elements of the cooperation between the federal government and the cantons. The funding is based on freedom of research, finding bottom-up solutions with specific priorities, but also on competition and top performance.

The embassy focuses on digitalization, equal opportunities, sustainability and national and international cooperation in all areas.

The financial framework of 29.2 billion francs corresponds to a growth of 1.6 percent, not adjusted for inflation, as announced by the Federal Council. This means that the volume is 1.3 billion francs higher than that of the financing period 2021 to 2024.

Cantons and universities are calling for growth instead of cuts

Following the consultation, the state government reduced individual loans and payment framework by R500 million to balance the budget. According to the Federal Council, the BFI’s financial plan is part of the legislative financial planning, which provides for a balanced federal budget, taking into account the debt brake.

The credit limit of 29.7 billion francs, which was put into consultation, has already met with fierce criticism from cantons, universities and left-wing parties. They called for growth of 2.5 percent instead of the non-inflation-adjusted 2 percent projected before the cut.

The 29.2 billion francs payment framework finances measures for vocational training, further training, universities and research and innovation financing.

Focus on innovation

The embassy emphasizes competitive financing of research and innovation. The actors are the Swiss National Science Foundation, the innovation funding agency Innosuisse and the Academies of Sciences.

This is linked to breakthrough research initiatives such as the national quantum initiative, as well as increased research collaborations. Movetia, the Swiss Agency for Exchange and Mobility, aims to promote international exchange. Due to the shortage of skilled workers, further training is another point of attention.

The Federal Council consolidates the federal government’s share of the costs of vocational training at the legally required 25 percent. The Federal Council will also continue to support universities, ETH Zurich, cantonal universities and technical colleges in accordance with the applicable legal basis. (SDA/oco)

Source:Blick