The 2022 research reserve gives green research a boost

Once again, I’m pleased to see such broad political support for the distribution of this year’s research reserve funding. 2.9 billion kroner have been appropriated for the research reserve in 2022, and some of this funding goes to thematic research within the green transition and strengthened clinical research. In addition, 314.5 million kroner have been earmarked Independent Research Fund Denmark and other prioritised initiatives, such as the Grundtvig Centre.

If Denmark is to achieve the ambitious targets that have been set for the green transition, it’s absolutely crucial to boost research into climate and green solutions, as I believe the agreement signals by dedicating a large chunk of the reserve to green research.

And the past few years in the grip of the pandemic - which generated an enormous need for quick solutions in the form of effective treatments and vaccines - have demonstrated the value and necessity of basic research and clinical research. In this light, it’s positive that the agreement focuses on investing where the need is greatest.

Both green research and clinical research are very important initiatives, and political support for them is important for society. However, I’d also like to raise the same note of caution I’ve stressed on previous occasions. There is a risk that earmarking funding for independent research within particular themes might be taking place at the expense of all the other areas that would also merit a substantial funding increase, and this puts pressure on independent, non-thematic research. As a university, this obliges us to be particularly vigilant about ensuring that these research areas aren’t starved for funding. The only tool at our disposal in this regard is our basic funding, which we also draw on to co-finance the external grants. Fortunately, we’re attracting more of the latter; but this also means we have less latitude to spend our basic funding in other ways.

I believe there are grounds to consider the possibility that the intense focus on competitive funding may have pushed success rates so far down that far too many of the country’s highly qualified researchers spend too much time applying for funding. Competition is often a positive thing, and writing good applications is often a fruitful process. But in my opinion, the balance is starting to tip. The time has come to give the universities’ basic funding a significant boost.

One final remark on the allocation of the research reserve funding: the research reserve agreement includes a grant to the Centre for Grundtvig Research. The research reserve agreement allocates 10 million kroner to the continuation of the centre’s work. This means research on Grundtvig’s works and their cultural significance can continue for yet another year. I am extremely pleased about this, on behalf of the centre and on behalf of our society.

Read the full agreement there.