User Fee System - 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, the User Fee System was launched in 2006B.
The following is an update on the User Fee System for 2007A and after.
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 stockroom 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
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 Stockroom reagents, parts and stationeries
• A bar-code system is used in the stockrooms to manage and record all item transactions and calculate the fees. To take out items from the stockrooms, 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 stockroom system and determines the settlement amount.
• Users may return unused items checked out from the stockrooms; but please make sure to return the unused items to the Users Office before leaving SPring-8.
• The price list of stockroom items is available at:
https://user.spring8.or.jp/21_1_consumables_p_e.jsp
This list is subject to change and will be updated as needed.
• The bar-code system is available in only two of the stockrooms.
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/21_1_consumables_p_e.jsp
• 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 registered 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
Supported by the Government's treasury, the following proposals are exempt from paying the user fees:
- Budding Researchers Support Program (Budding Researchers Support Proposal)
- Medical Bio Trial Use Program (Medical Bio Trial Use Proposal)
- Priority Research Program: Power User (Power User Proposal)
Non-proprietary beamtime users from foreign organizations are also exempt 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:
SPring-8 Users Office
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
Phone: +81-(0)791-58-0961
Fax: +81-(0)791-58-0965
e-mail: sp8fee@spring8.or.jp