User Fee System to be Launched from 2006B - Update -
As you may know from the "SPring-8 Policy on Public Use Revised - New Charge Scheme to be Launched in 2006B -," dated July 27, 2005, the SPring-8 policy on public use was revised. Based on the revision, we have posted the "Outline of User Fee System" and the "Non-Proprietary Grant-Aid Proposal."
The following is an update on the User Fee System, which starts from 2006B as scheduled.
1. Types of User Fees
User fees are composed of a fixed fee charged for wear and tear on the facility and a variable fee charged for coolants; gases; and stock room reagents, parts and stationeries.
Fixed Fee: 10,300 yen/shift incl. tax
Variable Fee: calculated based on the amount actually used
2. User Process Flow Diagram - from Proposal Application to User Fee Payment -
3. How to Calculate User Fees
The user fee calculation method is described below. Since the user fee system is in a trial period, please note that the unit prices and procedures for using the consumable supplies are tentative and subject to change. In case of any changes, an announcement will be posted immediately.
3.1 Fixed Fee
The fixed fee is charged for wear and tear on the facility. To calculate the fixed fee, first find the number of shifts to be deducted from the scheduled shifts. (Add the storage ring down time and the hours when beam was not available in the experimental hutches together, convert from hours to shifts, and round down to the nearest whole number.) Then subtract the deducted shifts from the scheduled shifts and multiply by the unit price (10,300 yen/shift). Please note that beamtime loss due to reasons attributable to each user cannot be considered for the reduction in determining the number of shifts actually used.
3.2 Variable Fee
3.2.1 Stock room reagents, parts and stationeries
• From 2006B, a bar-code system is used in the stock rooms to manage and record all item transactions and calculate the fees. To take out items from the stock rooms, users need to have their bar-code card issued for each experiment upon arrival at the Users Office.
• After the experiment is completed, JASRI checks the data stored in the stock room system and determines the settlement amount.
• Users may return unused items checked out from the stock rooms; but please make sure to return the unused items to the Users Office before leaving SPring-8.
• The price list of stock room items is available at:
https://user.spring8.or.jp/consumables.html (posted when it becomes available)
This list is subject to change and will be updated as needed.
• Please note that for 2006B, the bar-code system is available in only two of the stock rooms.
3.2.2 Coolants/Gases
• Only He gas and liquid He are available for users at the following beamlines. (The fee for liquid nitrogen is included in the fixed fee.)
Liquid He: BL02B2, BL08W, BL09XU, BL25SU, BL28B2, BL39XU, BL43IR, BL47XU
He Gas: BL02B2, BL04B2, BL09XU, BL13XU, BL19B2, BL25SU, BL37XU, BL41XU
• The unit prices and the instructions on how to use liquid He/He gas are available at:
https://user.spring8.or.jp/consumables.html (posted when it becomes available)
• After the experiment, please submit the Beamtime Report online. JASRI then determines the settlement amount based on the report.
4. Billing and Payment
4.1 Billing
After the experiment is completed, JASRI determines the settlement amount and prepares an invoice. The invoice is sent to the payer designated by the project leader.
4.2 Payment
The payment must be made to the designated bank account within 60 days of the invoice date. Please note that the payer is responsible for any bank charges incurred in transferring the fees; that the invoice number must be included in the payment information; and that the bank transfer receipt should be kept as proof of payment since JASRI does not issue a receipt of payment as a general rule.
5. Exemption from Payment of User Fees
For 2006B, the following programs are supported by the Government's treasury and thus exempted from paying the user fees:
- Nanotechnology Support Program (Nanonet Proposal)
- Budding Researchers Support Program (Budding Researchers Support Proposal)
- Medical Bio Trial Use Program (Medical Bio Trial Use Proposal)
- Strategic Use of SPring-8 Program (Strategic Use of SPring-8 Proposal)
- Priority Research Program: Protein 500 (Protein 500 Proposal)
- Priority Research Program: Power User (Power User Proposal)
Non-proprietary beamtime users from foreign organizations are also exempted from the payment; but foreign nationals applying from Japanese organizations are required to pay the user fees.
Please note that procedures for using the consumable supplies are the same for all users.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact:
Tohru MATOBA
Director of User Administration Division/SPring-8 Users Office
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Phone: +81-(0)791-58-0961
Fax: +81-(0)791-58-0965
e-mail: sp8jasri@spring8.or.jp