The Georgian government has approved a new funding model for public universities, which will be phased in starting from the 2026–2027 academic year, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth. Developed in cooperation with the World Bank, the new system comprises two main components: base funding and performance-based funding, the ministry reported.
Base funding will be calculated taking into account the cost of degree programs across various fields of study, the level of education (bachelor’s and master’s), and student enrollment numbers. This will cover core expenses related to organizing the educational process and supporting students.
Gradually, a component tied to the achievement of state objectives will be added to the base funding. The allocation of funds will take into account key indicators such as educational quality, alignment with labor market demands, research and innovation, internationalization, contribution to regional development, and expanding access to higher education.
The ministry will determine funding terms individually for each public university, taking into account its mission, profile, objectives, and resources.
According to the ministry, the new model will enable universities to develop in-demand educational programs, improve teaching quality, and offer competitive working conditions and pay for academic, administrative, and support staff.
In the first phase of the reform’s implementation, an additional 42 million lari will be allocated from the state budget, bringing total higher education funding to 170 million lari by 2027.
