CELTIC-NEXT Fee – Invoicing and Payment Procedure

The CELTIC-NEXT cluster, as part of the EUREKA programme and its other clusters, requires an annual contribution fee to ensure the operational efficiency of the CELTIC-NEXT office. Below, we outline the key procedures regarding the payment of this fee, the invoicing schedule, and relevant scenarios to guide participants in managing their contributions effectively.

OUTLINE

Check out the Proposal Management Guide PDF for practical tips on preparing a CELTIC-NEXT Proposal, as well as tools to support participants in crafting high-quality proposals.

The CELTIC-NEXT contribution fee is set at 1.5% of the yearly budget of the assigned project work of the participant. The obligation to pay this fee begins when a project partner becomes active in the project, regardless of public funding availability.

• Payment Due: Payments must be made within 30 days of receiving the invoice.
• Objections: Any objections to an invoice should be raised within 14 days of receipt.

The fee is mandatory for all project participants. Participants must confirm acceptance of the CELTIC-NEXT fee rules during the project proposal submission. This is done through a Confirmation Letter and Declaration of Acceptance (CLD). Without this confirmation, a CELTIC-NEXT label will not be assigned to the project.

CELTIC-NEXT defines two main invoicing dates each year: 1 June and 1 December. The CELTIC Office issues invoices in two six-monthly instalments, corresponding to the following periods:

1. First Invoicing Period: January to June
2. Second Invoicing Period: July to December

Invoicing Calculation
Each six-monthly instalment is calculated as 50% of the total yearly contribution based on the participant’s planned project budget.

The six-monthly instalment is calculated as follows:

Six-monthly instalment = 50 % of (total planned yearly budget of the assigned project work of the participant x CELTIC-NEXT contribution fee)

• The first instalment is issued by 1 June for projects that have started before that date. The fee is based on the planned effort for the full year, regardless of actual work completed.
• The second instalment is issued by 1 December for all projects. This invoice reflects the other 50% of the yearly contribution.

• Project Start Date: Projects that begin after 31 May will receive an invoice of 100% of the annual fee, invoiced in the second instalment.
• Project Change Requests (PCRs): Any changes to the planned budget must be communicated through a PCR. A PCR ensures that the invoiced amounts are adjusted according to any significant modifications in the project’s timeline or budget.

Please note: Invoices are based on planned figures and not on the actual work completed. Changes must be announced via a PCR before the invoicing date to avoid recalculations.

For more information, please refer to the official documentation or contact the CELTIC Office.