Hochschulrektorenkonferenz
Budget
€11,860,000
EP Access
1
accredited persons
Staff
4
2 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
Die Hochschulrektorenkonferenz (HRK) ist der freiwillige Zusammenschluss der staatlichen und staatlich anerkannten Universitäten und Hochschulen in Deutschland. Die HRK ist die Stimme der Hochschulen gegenüber Politik und Öffentlichkeit, und sie ist das Forum für den gemeinsamen Meinungsbildungsprozess der Hochschulen. Sie befasst sich mit allen Themen, die Aufgaben der Hochschulen betreffen: Forschung, Lehre und Studium, wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung, Wissens- und Technologietransfer, internationale Kooperationen sowie Selbstverwaltung. Die inhaltliche Arbeit der HRK umfasst Bereiche wie Information der Mitgliedshochschulen, Formulierung und Vertretung gemeinsamer hochschulpolitischer Positionen der Mitgliedshochschulen, Information der Öffentlichkeit, Unterstützung der Mitgliedshochschulen bei der Umsetzung von Reformen, Beratung von Politik und Verwaltung in Bund und Ländern, Sicherung der Qualität von Lehre und Studium sowie der Mobilität von Studierenden.
EU Legislative Interests
Die HRK beobachtet alle EU-Initiativen, die unmittelbare oder mittelbare auf die Rahmenbedingungen der Hochschulen in Deutschland haben könnten, sei es im Bereich der Finanzierung, Rechtsvorschriften, Forschung und/oder Lehre.
Communication Activities
European Research Policies 2024 The German Rectors' Conference (HRK) is actively involved in the ongoing reform of research assessment in the broader context of both national and European science policy. While the HRK is not itself a member of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), it has recognized the importance of this reform effort and participates to the German National Chapter of CoARA as a guest. Since 2024, the HRK's dedicated working group on this topic has been open to all member institutions, serving as a platform for exchange among universities. The issue of dual-use research is also being debated at both the national and European levels. In spring 2024, the HRK contributed to the European Commission’s public consultation on the matter. In its submission, the HRK raised concerns that the Commission’s push to promote research with dual-use potential could unintentionally undermine the European research landscape. It warned of the risks posed by additional bureaucratic burdens and a possible shift in funding away from civilian basic research. From the HRK’s perspective, maintaining the purely civilian orientation of the EU’s research framework programme is essential. To strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities, separate funding programmes should be established. At the national level, the HRK participates in several working groups of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), where it represents the interests of its member universities. ________________________________________ European Programmes for Research and Higher Education 2024 At the 38th HRK General Assembly in May 2024, key principles regarding the 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) were discussed. The HRK advocates for adequate funding of FP10 and insists that it should remain exclusively civilian in focus. It also stresses the need to safeguard the independence of the European Research Council (ERC), to maintain open-topic calls, academic freedom, and collaborative projects with flexible partnership structures to ensure that institutions across Germany can participate effectively. A meaningful simplification of funding procedures was also called for. However, by October 2024, it had become evident that European science and higher education policy is undergoing a fundamental transformation. At the 39th HRK General Assembly in November 2024, the European Commission’s plans were presented, and the response of German universities was discussed. Earlier, in October, the HRK’s 18th EU Strategy Day had already focused on current trends and developments in European science policy. More than 100 representatives from German universities attended the event in Brussels. Across various formats, they engaged in discussions with BMBF State Secretary Roland Philippi, MEP and Horizon Europe rapporteur Christian Ehler, and numerous representatives of the European Commission. Key topics included the implications of embedding academic freedom in EU treaties, the further development of European university alliances, and ideas for a European excellence strategy. Within the bodies of the European University Association (EUA), the HRK has particularly advocated for recognizing the importance of both cooperation and competition in research. The HRK considers these twin pillars essential to the success of the European research landscape and has criticized the EUA for sometimes placing too much emphasis on cooperation at the expense of competitive excellence.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
- Die HRK ist Mitglied der EUA, der Europäischen Universitätsvereinigung. Die EUA ist die größte Hochschulvertretung auf europäischer Ebene. Mitglieder sind Universitäten und andere forschungsstarke Hochschulen sowie nationale Rektorenkonferenzen - Die HRK ist Mitglied der Allianz der Wissenschaftsorganisationen. Diese Allianz ist ein Zusammenschluss der bedeutendsten Wissenschafts- und Forschungsorganisationen in Deutschland. Sie nimmt regelmäßig zu Fragen der Wissenschaftspolitik, Forschungsförderung und strukturellen Weiterentwicklung des deutschen Wissenschaftssystems Stellung.
Organisation Members
https://www.hrk.de/mitglieder/mitgliedshochschulen/
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.