Do you work for external parties as a Radboud University researcher, such as on consultancy or project-based tasks? If so, from now on, you should always apply the uniform RU integrated fee calculation system (RU IKS) to calculate your fee. This new, integrated fee calculation system was decided on by the Executive Board. The objective of this new method is to always charge cost-covering fees to external clients.
An inventory conducted last year showed that different methods are used within Radboud University to calculate fees for external parties. There also appeared to be major differences in the extent to which the fees covered the costs incurred. This inventory was conducted as part of the policy on investing in private activities using public resources (’Beleidsregel investeren met publieke middelen in private activiteiten’). The policy emphasises that the integrated cost price must at least be charged for such activities and that the fees must be in line with market prices. The same also applies to purely private activities. Enforcing cost-covering fees is not only important to satisfy legislation, but also in the context of business operations (the financial situation) and financial awareness.
New calculation system
The RU IKS was devised in collaboration with a working group comprising various colleagues from the financial departments. In doing so, they analysed the various fee calculations used previously, on the basis of which they drafted a new, integrated fee calculation system that is as closely aligned as possible with the existing integrated fee calculation system (IKS) set by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). However, the RVO IKS is based on actual figures from approved financial statements, due to which it always lags behind the current situation. This problem has been solved in the RU IKS.
This new system must now be used in determining fees for the following activities:
- all (public) private tasks;
- all tasks for which no subsidy conditions have been adopted.
Evaluation
After one year, an evaluation will be held to map out experiences with the implementation of the new, integrated fee calculation system.