Editorial
Dear Readers,
The debate regarding the future of the science system is in full swing. Politics and both university and non-university research institutions voice their opinions regarding challenges and potential solutions to maintain successful research in Germany also in the future.
The universities' central role in this is an undisputed fact. Yet so far, their funding purely depends on federal state budgets. A change to the German Basic Law, that is, the abolition of the co-operation ban, would allow the federal government to fund the universities on an institutional level. In particular after the suspension of tuition fees, this would help to ease their financial burden. More-over, co-operation between universities and extramural research institutions equally benefiting all those involved would be much facilitated.
What are the expectations and concerns on part of the universities with respect to the Helmholtz Association and the other extramural research organisations: this is the question we intend to discuss within our new event series "Helmholtz&Uni", starting at the beginning of May at the Goethe University in Frankfurt.
Wishing you enjoyable reading,
