For a Future-Proof University of Hamburg

(Last updated: 26 January 2026)

Over the past years, and thanks to the commitment of all University members and partner institutions, the University of Hamburg and academic policymakers have shown some impressive accomplishments. Investments in campus development, clusters of excellence, cooperation agreements, and innovation have strengthened the University’s role as a central player in Hamburg’s academic system for the long term. In the face of demanding and tightening framework conditions, these successes substantiate the close, reliable, and strategic cooperation between the University and the city.

Today, the University of Hamburg stands for cutting-edge research, excellent teaching, and successful knowledge exchange. Successes in the Excellence Strategy, collaborative research centers, and interdisciplinary projects are proof of our capabilities. They also underline the University’s growing importance as a driver of social and economic innovation in Hamburg.

The University has honed its profile with clear strategic guidelines for twin transformation, innovative teaching, and internationalization to shape a modern research culture. As a comprehensive university, we aim to develop our full potential as a driving force for future change in the city and the larger Hamburg region.

Our current situation

At the moment, the University of Hamburg is facing financial challenges. To invest in the future and ameliorate structural deficits on our own, we must generate revenue and seek cost contributions. The cost-cutting is increasingly palpable for students, researchers, teaching staff, and staff. The University is approaching the situation with an open mind and a strong focus on shaping the future: we are advocating for reliable and future-proof financing in an intensive dialogue with policymakers. In addition, we launched a University-wide structural process to make our institution even more resilient, modern, and efficiently organized. For research and teaching to continue at the highest level, we need sufficient and inflation-proof basic funding plus sustainable structures.

Acting responsibly, building together

The University assumes responsibility and is taking countermeasures:

Costs are being thoroughly reviewed and lowered.
Job vacancies funded through the University budget will be filled only in individually justified cases.
All processes are being reviewed, digitalized where possible, and made more efficient.
Resources are being deployed in a more targeted manner, and synergies are being used to ensure research, teaching, and knowledge exchange

The current situation is challenging for University members. It can lead to increasing workloads, limited course offers, and postponed investments. This makes transparency, participation, and dialogue all the more important. University and faculty committees are engaging in intensive, constructive discussion about the challenges, possible solutions, and opportunities. Further formats are being developed and tested so that members can contribute ideas and actively participate in advancing the University.

The University for Hamburg—Hamburg for the University

The University of Hamburg stands for excellent research, innovative teaching, and a lively, cosmopolitan place of academic discourse and democratic exchange. It is prepared to contribute and has already begun. The future of the University of Hamburg and Hamburg as a hub of scientific pursuit require support from the city and policymakers: a reliable, sufficient financial basis is essential to successfully continue the tasks of research, teaching, and knowledge exchange.

Häufige Fragen und Antworten

1. Why are all areas instructed to yield cost contributions of 4.5 percent or 5 percent?

In 2025 and 2026, all areas are required to make a cost contribution to finance necessary measures in the areas of IT security, IT services, and digitalization (for the faculties 4.5 percent of their respective state budget, for the University Administration and the central institutions in the amount of 5 percent of their respective state budget).

Although the overall budgets are increasing, not all funds are dynamic or adapted to the growing tasks and necessary investments, which has resulted in a structural deficit.

2. What is the size of the structural budget deficit?

The University of Hamburg’s structural budget deficit is currently in the low double-digit million range (roughly €22 million). The University cannot always continue to do more with the agreed funds. Research, teaching, knowledge exchange, digitalization, and social responsibility are developing dynamically, but basic funding is not keeping pace.

3. What caused the budget deficit?

The University’s budget contains considerable risk positions, particularly in IT security (due to increased cyberattacks), real estate (due to infrastructure that, in part, needs to be refurbished, new buildings to move into, and investment backlog), and energy supply (due to significantly higher and volatile energy costs). In particular, resilient basic digital infrastructure is a prerequisite for modern research and teaching. In addition, special funds for programs, such as teacher training or psychotherapy, are not dynamic: the cost increases due to collective bargaining and inflation have had to be cushioned by the University of Hamburg from its own resources.

4. Why can the University of Hamburg not draw on financial reserves?

At the request of policymakers, the University has reduced its reserves, and consequently made significant investment in recent years to compensate for structural bottlenecks. This was a responsible decision to ensure academic continuity and to strengthen and develop the University.

5. Were cutbacks made? Has the University taken independent countermeasures?

No, there were no cutbacks. The University is already making considerable efforts: with the revenue and/or cost contributions of 4.5 percent (faculties) and 5 percent (central institutions and University Administration) from the respective state budgets, we are activating all available reserves to finance the necessary investments in IT security and digitalization.

6. Did these problems arise unexpectedly?

The University notified academic policymakers of these developments in a transparent manner at an early stage and discussed these risks in depth in the committees. A central issue is structural underfunding, which also affects other Hamburg and German universities and is exacerbated by inflation, energy prices, and increasing IT security requirements. In July 2025, the Academic Senate unanimously adopted a statement that reflects the University’s position. At the same time, intensive and constructive discussions took place between the University and the Ministry of Science, Research and Equality to evaluate the initial situation and develop solutions.

7. Why did this befall the University at short notice if the structural underfunding has long been known?

The structural underfunding was known, but the current dynamic is due to several short-notice factors that emerged in 2025, including a significant increase in HR and equipment and supplies costs—some of which have not been offset—as well as rent and construction price increases. Moreover, there are increasing IT infrastructure and IT security requirements.

8. Why can’t the University use Excellence Strategy funds to cover our deficits?

Excellence funds are earmarked for a specific purpose. They may be used only for the research projects specified in the funding concept.

9. Is the University of Hamburg the only university affected by cuts?

Other universities in Hamburg and nationwide are also affected by structural underfunding, albeit to varying degrees.

10. How does the current situation affect teaching and studies at our University?

The quality of teaching remains high, but in individual departments and degree programs, groups may become larger, supervision ratios more demanding, and organization more complex.

11. Will degree programs be closed?

No closures are currently planned. In individual departments, it might be necessary to adjust capacities. In principle, the range of courses is subject to a natural dynamic that involves continuously adapting to social and scientific developments.

12. What about tutorials?

Tutorials will continue to be offered, although they will be reduced in some departments.

13. What about doctorates?

Doctorates can be continued, but vacant doctoral positions financed from the University budget could remain temporarily unfilled. Doctoral students will continue to receive support through subject-specific measures and the Hamburg Research Academy (HRA), even if there may be some restrictions.