Universities lament ‘lack of ambition’ in Danish budget

Research minister’s proposal for record R&D allocation fails to impress rectors and engineers

Universities have offered a lukewarm reception to a proposal from the Danish government that public spending on research be increased by 600 million kroner (€81m) in 2022.

If adopted, the proposal would increase public R&D spending in Denmark to 1 per cent of GDP. Jesper Petersen, the country’s newly appointed minister for research and higher education, said the budget would deliver “world-class research environments” that strengthen the business community.