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Impact of budget cuts

At the end of 2025, the higher education sector mounted a major protest against the largest funding cuts in decades. Tens of thousands of students, lecturers and administrators gathered on the Malieveld to deliver a clear message to the cabinet and parliament: Don’t Do It!

Impact on grants and international students

That protest was not in vain: to the relief of many students, the proposed penalty for extended study periods was scrapped. However, the impact of the remaining cuts is substantial. The discontinuation of starter and incentive grants and the reduction in the number of international students are significantly affecting research, teaching, and opportunities for academic talent.

These cuts are now being felt by universities of applied sciences and research universities. In 2026, the UvA must cut more than €30 million from its budget. In the years ahead, this figure will increase to €50 million per year. This includes an additional €6 million in annual cuts announced in the Spring Budget Memorandum. The Senate must still issue a final decision on this in autumn 2025.

Together with other universities of applied sciences and research universities, the UvA continues to oppose these cuts. At the same time, it is now a reality that less funding will be available in the years to come, making cost-saving measures inevitable.

Budget consequences

Fortunately, the UvA’s financial starting position is strong, meaning forced redundancies are not currently necessary. However, this does not mean that no action will be needed in the long term. The UvA aims to cut costs by at least 5% in its support services by 2027 and plans to adjust its service provision accordingly. In addition, the housing plan, ICT, and the hiring of external contractors are also under review for potential savings.

To support the transition following the loss of the starter and incentive grants, the UvA has reserved €5 million in 2025 and €2.5 million annually for 2026–2028.