Faculty TSHD covers multi-million deficit from reserve fund

Faculty TSHD (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences) is struggling with a deficit of 3.8 million euros now that the government is stopping funding for starter and incentive grants. Because grants have already been awarded, the reserves are being used. This was discussed in the faculty council of 6 February.

‘We decided to cover this from the reserves,’ says TSHD director Jolien Peeters. ‘That has an impact, but we are not worried about the financial stability of the faculty.’

No more new grants

No new grants will be awarded. However, the previously awarded grants for 2025 and beyond will continue to exist. Current contracts will also not be adjusted. ‘We will stick to the agreements we have made,’ says Peeters. At the same time, we are looking at ways to use the budget more intelligently.

Individual discussions about cutbacks

Grants are evaluated on an individual basis. ‘We will talk to all grant holders to see where we can make reasonable savings,’ says Peeters. Funding for PhD candidates will also remain intact, but future expenditure will also be critically examined.

For example, the costs for panels will be revised and cheaper ways of collecting data will be sought.

The Faculty of Humanities says it is keeping a close eye on developments and will continue to talk to all parties involved.