Project Focus
“Hessischer Hochschulpakt from 2026” (Hessian Higher Education Pact from 2026)

State funding for universities in Hesse is set out in the so called “Hessischer Hochschulpakt” (Hessian Higher Education Pact – HHSP). The pact for the years 2026 to 2031 is currently being negotiated between the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture (HMWK) and the universities. Initial key points for the structure have been presented.
The state government's Higher Education Pact plan has massive consequences for Hesse's universities: specifically, a deficit of around one billion euros over the next six years, which would result in a ten percent reduction in staff. TU Darmstadt, together with all 14 Hessian universities, has been demanding financial improvements for weeks.

‘… the situation is more dramatic …’

Our options for action:

We deal responsibly with the framework conditions set by the state government, which we consider to be the wrong way to cut back. We are focusing on the strengths and core profile of our university. In doing so, positions will not be refilled; important tasks and services will no longer be continued.

We want to make the focusing process as participatory and transparent as possible. As university management, we will make viable decisions based on comprehensible parameters and criteria. We will keep you continuously informed about this process – on this website, in the Senate and the University Assembly, as well as in various rounds of talks.

Schedule – This is currently happening:

Central:

July: The focusing scenarios requested by the central administration and the central institutions are evaluated by the university management and proposals for cuts are discussed.

End of July: The Executive Board makes decisions, informs the heads of the departments, staff units and central institutions and involves the Staff Council.

Departments:

July/August: Talks between the President and the Chancellor with the deans and management of the departments

By the end of November: Departments draw up proposals for the content-related and financial development of the departments

December: Review of the proposals by the university management

January 2026: Executive Board discusses and decides analogous to the decision in July 2025

Appeal to the state government (13 June 2025)