[Postdoc-l] Announced Budget Cuts — Join the Vienna Demonstration May 27 (Bus from MUI)

[postdocnetwork]

Dear Postdocs,

As many of you have already seen, the newly announced federal budget plans foresee substantial reductions in university funding for 2028–2030, from €16.5 billion to €15.5 billion. Austrian universities estimate that they need about €18 billion just to keep up with inflation and rising operating costs, resulting in a funding gap of roughly €2.5 billion (about 14%). University leadership has warned that up to 10,000 positions across the sector could be affected.

For postdocs and early-career researchers, the consequences are expected to be immediate and severe: fewer contracts, hiring freezes, reduced bridge funding, delayed tenure-track opportunities, and increasing dependence on highly competitive external grants. Temporary and junior positions are especially vulnerable, as they are often the first to be cut when universities face financial pressure.
These developments directly threaten the future of academic research and scientific careers in Austria. They also risk undermining the international competitiveness and long-term sustainability of Austrian universities and research institutions.

For this reason, we strongly encourage all postdocs at the Medical University of Innsbruck to participate in the nationwide protest action taking place in Vienna on 27 May. A strong and visible participation from the scientific community is essential to demonstrate the importance of sustained investment in research, higher education, and young scientists.

We would also like to emphasize that the Rectorate of the Medical University of Innsbruck is organizing a bus trip to Vienna for participants. Please make use of this opportunity and register by Friday, 22 May, at 5:00 pm via the following link: https://events.i-med.ac.at/register/66

Your participation matters, not only for current postdocs, but for the future of science and academic careers in Austria.

Best regards, and see you in Vienna!

Yousra El Ghaleb, Roos Voorn, and Nico Wahl
for the Postdoc Network


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