Thousands of students protested today in Vienna, demanding increased funding for public universities in Austria, following the approval of the government budget for the 2028–2030 period.
The Austrian government has allocated €16 billion for the country’s 23 public universities, while academic institutions are calling for €18 billion to cope with inflation and rising costs.
University representatives warn that insufficient funds could lead to cuts in teaching, scientific research and the medical services of university hospitals.
The consequences are expected to affect young researchers in particular, limiting their opportunities for employment and professional development. Universities stress that increased funding is essential for maintaining the quality of higher education and research capacity.