On 23 May 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) published a discussion paper on the preparation of the 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation of the European Union (EU), which is due to start in 2028. It presents guiding principles and initial thematic considerations which, from a German perspective, should characterise the future design of European research funding. The HRK welcomes the BMBF's initiative. The HRK also believes that EU research funding must continue to be placed on an open and excellent footing.

The HRK will join the National Chapter of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) as a guest, thus increasing its engagement with the efforts to reform research assessment at European level. The HRK General Assembly decided to take this step at its meeting. Through its guest status as an associate member in the German National Chapter of CoARA, currently organised by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the HRK intends to promote the exchange of information on reform goals and measures relating to European research assessment with the higher education members and non-members of CoARA as well as with other German and European scientific organisations.

German universities would like to further improve the foundations and framework conditions for successful study and career paths for their international students. In a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the HRK, they propose a comprehensive package of measures. The universities themselves could take additional steps to ensure successful professional and social integration. At the same time, they are making concrete demands to the federal and state governments to improve the legal, regulatory and financial framework conditions.

The HRK are committed to further reducing structural gender inequality and achieving appropriate gender representation in professorships at universities. In a resolution, the HRK's General Assembly named concrete goals and action areas as well as measures that can contribute to the realisation of institutional cultural and structural change towards more gender equality at universities and have the character of a voluntary commitment.

Innovative science thrives by embracing diverse perspectives and worlds of experience. Since Monday afternoon, participants in an online conference organised by the HRK together with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) have been discussing the steps that can be taken to establish and shape a university culture that promotes diversity, to increase equal opportunities and to further reduce structural discrimination in the higher education system.

Statement by the Executive Board of the HRK: Against the backdrop of increasingly blatant anti-democratic endeavours and the associated contempt for humanity, we emphasise clearly and unequivocally: liberal democracy and the rule of law are the immovable pillars of our country and its institutions. They are also an essential prerequisite for the existence of a competitive and internationally compatible German higher education system. The comprehensive legal protection of academic freedom, as provided in our Basic Law, is the basis for the success of our scientific endeavour. Scientists must be able to freely choose and work on research topics. Research and teaching must not be instrumentalised for political purposes. Only in this way can science realise its full potential for the economy and society.