# Austrian University Budget to Fall Short of €18B

October 3, 2026 at 12:20 PM

> Science Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner confirms university funding will miss targets as final negotiations continue ahead of October 31.

Science Minister [Eva-Maria Holzleitner](<https://austriareport.com/entity/eva-maria-holzleitner-q42295399>) ([SPÖ](<https://austriareport.com/entity/social-democratic-party-of-austria-q179111>)) confirmed in the [Ö1 Journal am Samstag](<https://austriareport.com/entity/o1-q293586>) that the university budget for the next three-year period will not reach the 18 billion euros requested by institutions. Ongoing negotiations are currently being finalized.

Clarity on funding is expected by October 31, the legal deadline for the decision. While Holzleitner mentioned a government retreat, the Chancellery stated that small-circle meetings with party leaders will occur instead to determine the final financing.

The delay follows a postponement from the initial budget speech to autumn. With protests planned for mid-October, the [Universities Conference](<https://austriareport.com/entity/osterreichische-universitatenkonferenz-q305997>) continues to seek specific data on calculated requirements following similar demonstrations held earlier this spring.

**Austria**

[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/Austria>) [#HigherEducation](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/HigherEducation>) #UniversityBudget #EvaMariaHolzleitner #EducationFunding

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