Luxembourg pledges to double research cash as Dutch ponder €1bn boost

The Benelux countries are raising spending on university research.

Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker has promised to double his country's research budget by 2009, while the Dutch Government is considering a recommendation that an additional €1 billion (£680 million) is needed each year to maintain standards.

Mr Juncker announced this month his intention to double research spending by 2009. The move will continue the rapid increase in investment that saw public spending rise from 0.08 per cent of gross domestic product in 1999 to 0.33 per cent currently - some €80 million to €82 million if all public spending is taken into account.

Luxembourg's young university is expected to benefit from the funding hike. The Government will decide how the increased investment is to be made by the end of the year, based on the outcome of two investigations.

The first is an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report into the country's research support mechanisms, which covers, for instance, whether funding should come directly from the Government or through the national research fund. The second is a foresight study that will report in June on national research priorities.

According to sources in the research ministry, the spending boost is likely to be characterised by greater prioritisation from above, alongside the current funding that responds to researchers' interests. The Government also wants to explore further options for private-sector collaboration, for instance in research centres of excellence.

Meanwhile, the Dutch Government is considering its response to an inquiry it commissioned last year into ways of making university research more dynamic. The report says that the Netherlands has an efficient research system delivering good-quality research for relatively little money.

But if this is to continue, an additional €1 billion must be invested each year. According to the inquiry, the first priority is to add €500 million to the budget of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research. This should be spent on initiatives that support talented researchers and encourage universities to develop critical mass in key areas.

The second priority is to add €500 million to the direct funding universities get for research, with an emphasis on supporting highly rated research in subjects of strategic importance to the economy, where such groups are considered under threat. The inquiry concluded that this investment should lead to more secure positions for young researchers and long-term planning by universities.

Dutch universities have welcomed the recommendations, although they would rather the direct funding be awarded without strings.

The Dutch business lobby has voiced support for the spending boost, but it wants more transparency from universities in how they spend the cash. It also wants to see more government involvement in priority setting, to bring the research into harmony with private-sector strengths.