Belgian Ghent University, one of Europe's leading research institutions, has announced plans to accelerate its withdrawal from five remaining European Union-funded projects that involve partners from Israeli institutions. This move, rooted in the university's human rights policy, marks a significant escalation in its efforts to sever ties with entities it deems complicit in violations related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation program with a budget exceeding €95 billion for 2021-2027, continues to associate Israel as a full partner since 1996, Ghent's actions highlight growing tensions between academic ethics, geopolitical stances, and collaborative science.
The decision builds on a policy adopted in late May 2024, following widespread pro-Palestinian campus protests and assessments by Ghent's Commission on Human Rights Policy and Dual Use Research (CMDUO). These evaluations identified high interdependence between targeted Israeli academic and governmental bodies and activities linked to the Israeli military or settlements in occupied territories. While individual researcher collaborations remain unaffected, institutional partnerships in multi-partner EU consortia have become the focal point of contention.
The Genesis of Ghent University's Human Rights Stance
Ghent University's journey began amid global academic responses to the Israel-Hamas war that erupted in October 2023. Student encampments and faculty petitions demanded alignment with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, echoing calls from Palestinian civil society. By spring 2024, the university's rector, Rik Van de Walle, convened dialogues with activists, leading to the CMDUO's rigorous scrutiny of over 50 Israeli partners.
The CMDUO, an internal body comprising experts in ethics, law, and dual-use technology (research with potential civilian and military applications), applied criteria from International Court of Justice provisional measures on Gaza and reports from organizations like Amnesty International. Institutions such as Tel Aviv University and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology were flagged for funding ties to weapons development or occupation policies. This process, spanning months, involved researchers submitting dossiers by August 2024, enabling scenario planning for project exits.
Unlike bilateral ties, EU projects posed unique hurdles. Horizon Europe grant agreements prohibit unilateral withdrawals without consortium consensus and European Commission (EC) approval, safeguarding taxpayer funds and project continuity. Ghent pledged to protect its researchers' careers, exploring task reallocations before opting for exit.
Navigating the Complexities of Horizon Europe Contracts
Horizon Europe fosters international cooperation, with Israel contributing €100 million annually and participating in hundreds of projects. Ghent identified 12 research consortia (typically 13-47 partners) and one Erasmus+ education program affected. For the latter, the Israeli partner's role was suspended for student safety, but research initiatives required formal amendments.
The amendment process unfolds in steps: Ghent notifies the coordinator, who seeks majority partner approval for changes like partner removal or task shifts. The EC then reviews for 'proper' (no sanctions) versus 'improper' terminations. Delays arise from diverse stakeholder interests, but Ghent's persistence yielded results.
- Project coordinators initiate formal procedures with the EC.
- Risk assessments cover legal liabilities, IP rights, and funding clawbacks.
- Researchers' voluntary tasks are prioritized for handover to minimize disruption.
Landmark Withdrawal: The OSTEONET Case Study
In September 2025, the OSTEONET consortium—focused on bioinspired 3D bone tissue models for drug testing—reached majority agreement to end Ghent's participation. Coordinated by Italy's Università della Calabria with 16 partners including Tel Aviv University (€69,000 EU grant), the project (2023-2026, €1.5 million total) advanced despite the exit.
EC approval came March 27, 2026, without sanctions, though Ghent must repay €55,000 in pre-financing. Rector Van de Walle hailed it as a 'precedent' for ethical exits in Horizon Europe. Tel Aviv University, assessed negatively for military links, prompted the move. This success emboldened plans for simultaneous exits from five more projects, announced recently amid renewed activist occupations.Read Ghent's official OSTEONET update.
Photo by Shubham Sharan on Unsplash
Accelerating Exits from Five Key Projects
The five unnamed Horizon projects involve similar multi-national consortia tackling biomedicine, engineering, and sustainability. Ghent's board, on October 3, 2025, tightened policies on new partnerships, signaling resolve. Simultaneous withdrawals aim to streamline EC reviews, potentially freeing resources by mid-2026. Each exit carries reimbursement risks, estimated at tens of thousands per project, but aligns with fiduciary duties to human rights.
Project specifics remain confidential pending approvals, but patterns mirror OSTEONET: reallocating Ghent's tasks (e.g., data analysis, modeling) while preserving outputs. This phased approach minimizes innovation loss, though critics warn of fragmented knowledge networks.
Financial, Legal, and Career Ramifications
Withdrawals incur costs: reimbursements, administrative overheads, and lost future grants. OSTEONET's €55,000 repayment underscores this, yet Ghent absorbs it as ethical investment. Legally, no breaches occurred, but precedents could influence EC guidelines on ethical opt-outs.
For researchers, safeguards include career support, grant reallocations, and individual exemptions. No reported job losses, but morale varies—some view it as principled, others as politicized science. Ghent's policy exempts personal ties, fostering nuance.
Diverse Stakeholder Perspectives
Pro-Palestinian groups celebrate, with occupations demanding full BDS, including individual boycotts. Israeli academics decry discrimination, arguing science transcends politics; bodies like the Israel Academy of Sciences warn of 'academic apartheid'.
EU officials maintain Israel's association, rejecting broad exclusions despite internal war crimes reports. Fellow Europeans diverge: Belgium's ULB and VUB mirror Ghent, Spain's Granada exited five projects, while German bodies criticize as 'discriminatory'. Horizon coordinators prioritize continuity, often accommodating exits.
Ripples Across European Higher Education
Ghent pioneers a trend: over 20 universities from Ireland to Italy scrutinize Israeli ties. Erasmus+ suspensions rise, Horizon opt-outs proliferate. The European University Association urges balanced diplomacy, fearing chilled internationalism. Yet, advocates frame it as upholding Bologna Process values—ethical, inclusive knowledge.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
- Increased CMDUO-like committees in Dutch, French unis.
- Calls for EU 'ethics clauses' in grants.
- Shift to non-EU funding for sensitive topics.
Impacts on Research Innovation and Academic Freedom
Short-term: Minor delays in niche fields like tissue engineering. Long-term: Potential brain drain, duplicated efforts. Proponents argue moral clarity boosts trust; detractors see politicization eroding meritocracy. Data shows Israeli partners excel in cybersecurity, AI—gaps loom if exclusions mount.
Ghent mitigates via bilateral alternatives, but EU-wide policy shifts could redefine 'associated countries' criteria.
Outlook: Balancing Ethics, Science, and Geopolitics
As Ghent exits its final five, watch EC responses—precedents may standardize ethical withdrawals. Broader EU debates on Horizon 2028+ could embed human rights screens. For Europe's 5,000+ universities, this tests resilience: can research thrive amid division? Constructive paths include mediated dialogues, diversified partnerships, and transparent assessments. Ghent's saga underscores higher education's pivotal role in global ethics.UGent's October 2025 update on progress.
