German science alliance opposes funding cuts to programmes in international university cooperation

The Alliance of Science Organisations, a union of the most important German research organisations, has criticised the announcement by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development that it will gradually discontinue all university cooperation programmes in development cooperation by 2031.

The union claimed it will "weaken Germany's interests" in a position paper published on 01/07/2026.

It said that these federal programmes have enabled German universities, together with partners in countries of the Global South, to strengthen local education and science systems and deepen cooperation with Germany.

"Sustainably established university cooperation with developing and emerging countries explicitly serves Germany's interests in science, business, and foreign policy: it opens access to skilled workers, innovation hubs, research data, future markets and sustainable political and social networks," the Alliance said.

Without the existing cooperation programmes, Germany would suffer a "lasting loss of influence in regions where other countries are currently strategically expanding their presence in science and education policy,” Walter Rosenthal, President of the German Rectors' Conference and 2026 spokesperson for the Alliance of Science Organisations, declared.

The BMZ's university and research funding was implemented primarily through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, and the German Rectors' Conference.

The Alliance is appealing to the Federal Government and the German Bundestag to "find viable solutions in the further budget process so that cooperation between German universities and partners in the Global South continues to receive the necessary support".