Before the year is over, Robbert Dijkgraaf will inform the House of Representatives about a solution for the Nijmegen magnets- and laser lab HFML-FELIX, which is burdened with financial issues. This was stated in a written reply to questions posed by MP Lisa Westerveld.

Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf is aware of the millions of euros in shortfall that HFML-FELIX is dealing with, after the recent end of two years-long contracts with science financier NWO. This was shown in Dijkgraaf’s replies to the questions supplied by MP Lisa Westerveld (Green-Left) on the subject in March.

The Minister of Education refers to HMFL-FELIX as a unique research facility, and he emphasizes that NWO and the university are still in talks to resume their financial cooperation. Dijkgraaf will inform the House of Representatives about a solution before the year is done.

National NWO Institute

Dijkgraaf thinks it is not desirable that internationally renowned research facilities have to search for new financiers whenever their old contract expires. However, the minister does state that structuring the finances of these kinds of facilities is the responsibility of their institutions – Radboud University in this case.

Sijbrand de Jong, dean for the beta faculty, told Vox earlier that in the negotiations with NWO, Radboud University aims to make HFML-FELIX a national NWO Institute, like the sustainable energy lab DIFFER in Eindhoven, or Nikhef in Amsterdam, which is concerned with particle research. Such a development could be good news for both the facility’s financing and the position of its staff.

High workload

According to Dijkgraaf, it’s up to the NWO to make that decision. “Through portfolio evaluations every six years, thought is given to dynamizing the portfolios of KNAW- and NWO institutes”, as stated in Dijkgraaf’s written reply. “These evaluations are conducted by KNAW and NWO. The necessity of adopting new institutes into the fold is part of an integrated assessment of the entire portfolio.”

Dijkgraaf is saddened by the fact that HFML-FELIX’s insecure financial situation has caused a great deal of uncertainty amongst the staff, as well as a high workload. The lab is in the process of dealing with the workload, after a group of employees had talks with representatives of union FNV.  However, the Minister of Education is gladdened by the fact that Radboud University recognises the issues and that steps have been taken to reduce the workload.

Stunned

Westerveld claims to be stunned by the minister’s wait-and-see approach. ‘The Minister for Education himself has repeatedly emphasised the importance of structural funding for researchers and institutes’, she says. The Green-Left MP will discuss the matter in the next committee debate on science policy, which is set to take place on the 18th of April.

Translated by Jasper Pesch