German states announce major university funding cuts, prompting protests

The governments of North Rhine‑Westphalia (NRW) and Berlin have each approved substantial reductions in core university financing. NRW plans to cut the basic funding for its higher‑education institutions by €158 million per year starting in 2026, the largest cut in decades, which the Landes‑AStA‑Treffen (LAT) describes as a “education‑policy clear‑cut”. A demonstration and rally are scheduled for 5 November in Düsseldorf, where organizers demand a reversal of the cuts.

In Berlin, the state Senate’s coalition committee approved a €100 million reduction for universities and a €6.5 million cut to the student services organization studierendenWERK Berlin. The cuts threaten cafeteria operations, dormitory maintenance, and could raise student fees, affecting thousands of students across the capital.

Both cuts are expected to reduce staff, limit research capacity, and increase tuition‑related costs, prompting widespread criticism from student bodies and academic staff.