Denmark: Sharp increase in public R&D&I funding.

Submitted by Robert Koch on 1 December, 2011 - 16:12

News

Country:

Denmark

In the new Danish government’s budget proposal for 2012 almost DKK 1 billion (EUR 130 million) is allocated to research, development and innovation (R&D&I) – an increase of about DKK 300 million (EUR 40 million). The main prioritised areas are energy, environment and food research.

All parliamentary parties in Denmark have agreed on the distribution of research reserve funds for 2012. Moreover, they have decided to supplement the research reserve with an extra DKK 300 million (EUR 40 million). The 2012 budget proposal, which now allocates almost DKK 1 billion (EUR 130 million) to public R&D&I funding, reflects the new Danish government’s increased priority to these areas. The basic research funds for the educational sector have also been enlarged by an additional DKK 229 million (EUR 31 million) to a total of DKK 8.25 billion (EUR 1.1 billion) for 2012. Danish universities will therefore avoid the significant cuts that were indicated by the previous government.

“I am delighted that we succeeded in achieving a common agreement. Denmark needs new knowledge to create growth and welfare. This agreement gives the research and innovation world a clear signal of the broadest possible support from parliament,” said Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard.

The 2012 funds will be focused on three strategic research areas where Denmark holds strong positions internationally: energy, environmental and food research. Energy has been allocated an extra DKK 120 million (EUR 16 million), while both environment and food research has been granted an additional DKK 40 million (EUR 5.4 million). Moreover, a total of DKK 90 million (EUR 12 million) is allocated to the innovation field. The Knowledge Pilot and Industrial PhD programmes will be allocated DKK 15 million (EUR 2 million). The Innovation Incubator Scheme, which helps entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the early development phase, will be allocated DKK 25 million (EUR 3.4 million).

The additional DKK 300 million (about EUR 40 million) to R&D&I in the 2012 budget will be funded in part by the implementation of the seventh phase of the state procurement programme, by the discontinuation of grants for analysis of the education field, as well as the closure of the Danish Board of Technology.

Although the budget proposal is approved by all parliamentary parties, the Minister of Higher Education points out that the final budget negotiations still remain: “I am aware that we have not crossed the finish line yet, but we have already taken the first step towards better education, more independent research and a more fertile breeding ground for innovative initiatives”.