NOVA, the Dutch School for Research in Astronomy, has had its funding line renewed beyond 2013. The organisation announced the good news in a statement on Monday (in Dutch), with comments from Leiden professors Koen Kuijken, who’s Chair of the NOVA Board, and Ewine van Dishoeck, NOVA’s Scientific Director. The renewal is not unexpected, as NOVA last year received the highest possible rating of ‘Exemplary’ in its review. Only two research schools were awarded this grade in the Netherlands.

You’ll remember of course that Dutch astronomy was thrown into some disarray following Utrecht University’s announcement of the imminent closure of its centuries-old astronomy department. This must have made for a pretty interesting backdrop to any NOVA-related negotiations. Now that the funding renewal is official, NOVA has provided an official comment to Utrecht’s decision, calling it “extremely regrettable”. Unique expertise is in danger of disappearing and the loss of Utrecht’s Masters programme will have consequences for the entire physical sciences education at the University.

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