The funds for Higher Education, Science and Innovation should be reduced by 7.6% next year, according to the proposal for a State Budget for 2027, which provides for a consolidated expenditure of EUR 3,855.4 million.
© Shutterstock
08/10/2026
by
Lusa
A7.6% for higher education, science and innovation next year, according to the proposed State Budget for 2027 (OE2027), which defines a consolidated expenditure of EUR 3,855.4 million.
According to the proposal delivered today in parliament, the ministry led by Fernando Alexandre will have a sum of EUR 11.6 billion and about a third of this value is intended for the areas of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.
Contrary to what is planned for Education, the consolidated expenditure of which is expected to increase by 1.5%, the budget for Higher Education, Science and Innovation decreases by 7.6% compared to what the Government estimates to implement this year, including the appropriations for the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
The largest share is for Higher Education, which will have 2,604 million euros in 2027.
In the report attached to the proposed law in parliament, the Government explains that next year, the objectives for that sector will be to promote equity in access to quality higher education, successful school courses and the well-being of students, the participation of institutions in the creation of the European Higher Education Area and greater integration between higher education and the labour market.
Around EUR 125 million is intended for social action, housing, success and well-being, with the full implementation of the new grant-granting regulation from 2027/2028.
For the time being, only changes to the status of displaced persons, support for accommodation and the new incentive grant amounting to EUR 1,074,26 are applicable with the scholarship and will be allocated to the beneficiaries of the first step in the family allowance.
Almost 4,753 students applied this year for the new incentive grant, but only 607 meet the eligibility criteria, according to a balance sheet sent to Lusa by the Ministry of Education.
As far as science and innovation is concerned, the government's proposal allocates EUR 610 million for the management of the national scientific system and EUR 584 million for research and innovation.
As in previous years, staff expenditure represents the largest share (56% of the total consolidated expenditure allocation), amounting to EUR 2,160.8 million, plus 4.6% compared to last year.
The appropriations for expenditure for the purchase of goods and services amount to EUR 531.9 million (13.8% of the total), followed by current transfers, whose budgeted EUR 495 million (plus 12.8%) includes the financing of social action grants, research and development grants, as well as support grants granted by higher education institutions.
The Government today handed over to the Assembly of the Republic the proposal for a State Budget for 2027, before the deadline laid down by law.
The budget proposal foresees an economic growth of 2.3% this year and 2.1% in 2027 and balanced accounts this year and a surplus of 0.1% in 2027.
The proposal will be discussed and voted on in general between 27 and 28 October. The overall final vote is scheduled for November 24, after the discussion process in the specialty.