Programmes and projects

First publication: Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 12-363/2005 issued: 10 February 2005, in force since: 11 February 2005

Changes included in the consolidated version: Rules amending the Rules on the (Co)Financing of Basic, Applied and Postdoctoral Research Projects (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 49-1982/2005), published: 18 May 2005, in force since: 19 May 2005

CONSOLIDATED VERSION:

Rules on the Co-financing of Basic, Applied and Postdoctoral Research Projects

Article 1

(Content of the Rules)

These Rules shall define the conditions, criteria, indicators and procedure for evaluating and selecting applications for basic, applied and postdoctoral research projects for (co)financing, the monitoring and supervision of project realisation, and the method for informing the public of the research results.

Article 2

(Project Definitions)

For the purposes of these Rules the following definitions of terms shall apply:

1. basic project means experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.
2. applied project is also original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is however, directed towards a specific practical aim or objective. Applied research may include industrial research, which is:
   • 2.1. industrial research is planned research or critical testing to acquire new knowledge with the aim of using that knowledge in the development of new products, processes or services, or introducing significant improvements to existing products, processes or services
3. postdoctoral project means a basic or applied activity implemented so that a researcher can acquire additional research experience and knowledge subsequent to a doctorate and also to provide additional training to Slovenians that do not hold Slovenian citizenship but have come to Slovenia, and to foreign citizens that may compete under the same conditions as citizens of the Republic of Slovenia. Basic, applied and postdoctoral projects may be oriented towards research subjects that are determined by the public call.

Article 3

(Neutral Grammatical Forms)

The terms used in the masculine form in the Slovenian original of these Rules shall refer neutrally to both men and women.

Article 4

(Composition of Project Groups)

A research project shall be carried out by a project group which shall comprise a project head, researchers, and technical staff.

Article 5

(Free Research Capacity)

Project group must have free capacity to realize the research project. A research project head employed by an organisation applying for a project must have at least 170 hours of free research time available. The number of research hours without payment for an individual researcher on a research project shall not exceed 340 hours at the appropriate price category.

Article 6

(Minimum Duration)

The minimum duration for a basic project shall usually be 1360 research hours per year. The minimum duration for an applied project shall usually be 680 research hours per year. The minimum duration for a postdoctoral project shall usually be 1700 research hours per year in price category B.

The duration of a research project shall usually be calculated in multiples of 340 research hours per year.

Article 7

(Financing)

The Slovenian Research Agency (hereinafter: the Agency) shall finance up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs for basic projects. It shall co-finance up to 75 per cent of eligible project costs for the implementation of applied research projects. An applicant for an applied project must ensure coverage of at least 25 per cent of eligible project costs from other interested users, and submit proof of co-financing.

Without prejudice to the provision of the preceding paragraph, the Agency shall co-finance up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs for industrial research. The proportion of co-financing for industrial research may be increased:

• by ten percentage points, for a natural person or a small or medium sized enterprise (in accordance with the definition of companies from the applicable act regulating companies)
• by ten percentage points, if the research project is implemented in a region for which state aid, in accordance with regulations on the allocation of state aid, is granted to promote regional economic growth due to a low standard of living or high unemployment, or by five percentage points, if the research project is implemented in a region for which state aid, in accordance with regulations on the allocation of state aid, is granted to promote specific economic activities and specific economic regions
• by 15 percentage points, if a research project in accordance with the objectives of a specific project or programme within an EU Framework Programme for research and technological development (or by 25 percentage points if the project includes cross-border cooperation between companies and public research institutions and the results are widely accessible and published with regard for intellectual property rights)
• by ten percentage points, if the research project is not in accordance with the objectives or an individual project or programme within an EU framework project for research and technological development, if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
  • the project includes effective cooperation between companies and public research institutions, particularly in relation to coordination of national policy on research and technological development
  • the project results are widely accessible and published, licences are issued for patents or other activities take place under conditions similar to the provisions for the dissemination of results of EU research and technological development programmes.

The percentage points from the preceding paragraph may be aggregated, but the total level of assistance cannot exceed 75 per cent of eligible project costs.

If the funds are allocated to a small or medium sized enterprise for a restructuring programme, then the aid must be reported to the European Commission before allocation.

Article 8

(Eligible Project Costs)

The basis for determining the extent of funds for implementing research projects shall be defined by the applicable regulations on normative and standards for the allocation of funds for research activities, taking into account the restrictions defined in Article 7 of these Rules. Eligible project costs shall include:

• personnel costs (researchers, technical staff, and other support personnel)
• costs for instruments, equipment, equipment rental, land, plantations, animals, and buildings used permanently and exclusively for research activities
• consultancy costs and services used exclusively for research activities, including research work, technical knowledge, patents, etc., which are purchased from external sources
• additional costs arising from research activities
• other operating activities (e.g. material costs, energy and other products), which arise from research work.

I. Public Tenders

Article 9

(Basis for Public Tender)

The Director of the Agency may set up a working body to propose a public call for the co-financing of research projects. The working body must follow the National Research and Development Programme, the approved budget, and annual policy of the ministry responsible for science determining the allocation of funds among fields of science and determining subject areas with specific research themes.

Article 10

(Issue of Public Tender)

At least once a year, the Agency shall issue a public call in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia for the selection of projects for basic, applied and postdoctoral projects within the framework of:

• natural sciences
• engineering
• biotechnical sciences
• medical sciences
• social sciences
• humanities, and
• interdisciplinary sciences.

The Agency shall also issue the public call with additional documents on its website.

Article 11

(Content of Public Call)

The public call shall include:

1. the legal basis for a call
2. the name and registered office of the Agency
3. the subject of public call
4. research themes for thematic call
5. objectives or anticipated results
6. format and deadline for project applications
7. conditions, criteria and indicators for project selection
8. project duration
9. planned level of funds available for subject of public call
10. the time limit within which applicants will be informed of the selected projects
11. date of opening (recording by e-mail) of applications, and
12. location, time, and personnel from whom interested parties may obtain additional documents.

Article 12

(Tender Dossier)

Applicants shall apply for the public call in accordance with the additional documents. A tender application must include:

1. the applicant's details
2. details on the project co-financer(s)
3. name and surname of the project head
4. details on the research group in which project implementation is to be organised, on research groups participating in realization
5. the project title
6. objectives and a brief project description (max. 300 words)
7. research or theme area of project, and project type
8. project duration
9. funds required to realize the project or number of research hours classified into:
   • 9.1. time schedule for use of funds
10. co-financing details
    • 10.1. Slovenian
    • 10.2. foreign
11. project proposal, including:
    • 11.1. presentation of research
    • 11.2. compliance of research project with tendered research subjects
    • 11.3. review of relevant own and foreign research
    • 11.4. presentation of hypotheses
    • 11.5. detailed description for scientific methods for achieving objectives
    • 11.6. expected results and their significance:
      • 11.6.1. for scientific development
      • 11.6.2. for commercial and other use
    • 11.7. schedule for research work
12. details on research equipment:
    • 12.1. research equipment available and required for project implementation, value above EUR 5,000 in tolar equivalent on the day the application is submitted
    • 12.2. leasing of research equipment required
    • 12.3. research equipment lacking, which is a condition for project implementation with value over EUR 5,000 in tolar equivalent per unit on the day the application is submitted, and submitted request for purchase from budget funds
13. presentation of international contacts:
    • 13.1. cooperation in international projects
    • 13.2. other forms of international cooperation
14. details on researchers and technical staff in the project group:
    • 14.1. from the organisation concluding the contract with the Agency:
      • code from records on researchers and technical staff
      • name and surname of researchers and technical staff
      • function in the project group
      • employment status
      • effective research hours for individual researcher or technical staff
    • 14.2. from other research organisations:
      • title of research organisation
      • details on the research unit in the research organisation
      • details defined in point 14.1
15. proof of meeting the evaluation criteria from Articles 23, 24 and 25 of these Rules
16. references on the qualifications of the project head and other researchers
17. name and surname of peer the project head does not want to assess the project
18. signature of applicant and authorised officer of the contractor or co-financer
19. additional details relating to application for industrial research projects:
    • 19.1. statement on whether the project is implemented by a natural person or a small or medium sized enterprise, in accordance with the definition of companies in the applicable companies act
    • 19.2. whether the research project is implemented in regions for which state aid, in accordance with regulations on the allocation of state aid, is granted to promote regional economic growth due to a low standard of living or high unemployment, or whether the research project is implemented in regions for which state aid, in accordance with regulations on the allocation of state aid, is granted to promote specific economic activities and specific economic regions
    • 19.3. if the content of the research project complies with the objectives of an individual project or programme within an EU framework programme for research and technological development, details on the following:
      • 19.3.1. whether the project includes cross-border cooperation between companies and public research institutions
      • 19.3.2. whether the results are widely accessible and published with regard for intellectual property rights
    • 19.4. if the content of the research project is not in compliance with the objectives or an individual project or programme within an EU framework programme for research and technological development, details on the following:
      • 19.4.1. whether the project includes effective cooperation between companies and public research organisations, particularly in relation to coordination of national policy on research and technological development
      • 19.4.2. whether the project results are widely accessible and published, licences are issued for patents or other activities take place under conditions similar to the provisions for the dissemination of results of EU research and technological development programmes.

These details shall be submitted on the forms designated by the Agency for basic research projects, applied research projects, and industrial research projects, with an emphasis on details of significance to the type of research or project work.

Article 13

(Tender Conditions)

Applications for a public call may be submitted by legal or natural persons entered in the Agency’s databases of research organisations that fulfil the conditions prescribed by the Research and development activities act and these Rules.

Article 14

(Application Format)

In general applications shall be made in electronic format. An applicant shall complete the application form for a basic research project in Slovene and English or another world language specified in the call. Application forms for applied research projects shall be completed in Slovene. Applications must be certified with an authorised digital certificate for all the persons stated in points 3 and 18 of Article 12 of these Rules.

If an application is sent by post, five copies of the basic research project application form must be completed. Three copies shall be completed in Slovene, and two copies in English or another world language stated in the public call. Three application forms for applied research projects shall be completed, in Slovene. The application must be signed by all the persons from points 3 and 18 from Article 12 of these Rules.

The receipt of a application shall be confirmed on the application form. One form confirmed in this manner shall be returned to the applicant.

II. Managing procedures

Article 15

(Agency Official)

The Agency shall coordinate and organise evaluation procedures, which shall be implemented by the Agency's Scientific Council with the permanent expert bodies in accordance with the Rules on the Organisation and Competent Expert Bodies for Research Activities.

The Director of the Agency shall authorise a public official authorised for a specific field of science at the Agency (hereinafter: Agency Official) to coordinate and organise evaluation procedures and procedures to select and monitor the implementation of co-financing for research projects.

Article 16

(Application Processing)

Applications that contain all the information and proofs required by the public call and additional documents shall be eligible for the research project selection procedure, if they are submitted to the Agency within the deadline specified within the public call.

Article 17

(Commission for the Opening of Applications)

The Director shall appoint an application opening commission with at least twelve members for the opening and review of submitted applications (hereinafter: the Commission). At least six members of the Commission must be Agency employees.

Applications submitted to the Agency within the deadline set within the public call shall be considered as submitted on time.

Article 18

(Commission Tasks)

The Commission from the preceding Article shall decide whether applications have the correct fulfil, are on time and complete at a session called by the President of the Commission.

Article 19

(Commission Minutes)

Minutes of the session shall be kept and then signed by the President and members of the Commission.

The minutes shall contain at least:

1. the address, location and time the application are opened
2. the subject of public call
3. the names of the Commission members present
4. the title of applicants submitting applications, and
5. findings on whether applications are complete, with a statement of those not submitting complete applications.

Article 20

(Supplementing Applications)

The Commission shall review the submitted applications within seven days of the deadline for submission of applications.

If the Commission finds that the documentation is incomplete, it shall call on the applicant to supplement the application and set a deadline for supplementing the documentation, which shall not be longer than eight days.

If the applicant rectifies the deficiencies before the deadline, the application shall be considered as complete.

If the applicant does not supplement the application in accordance with the request and within the deadline from the second paragraph of this Article, the applicant shall be rejected by means of a decision being issued. An appeal can be made against the resolution within eight days of it being served, and shall be decided on by the Director of the Agency. His decision shall be final. Documentation submitted shall be returned to the applicant when the case is final.

Article 21

(Complete Applications)

Applications that the Commission considers on time, fully equipped and complete shall proceed to the evaluation procedure.

Article 22

(Confidentiality of Information and Documentation)

The information and documentation contained in applications for project proposals may be used as internal material for the duration of the project selection. III. Evaluation conditions, criteria and indicators for assessing research projects

Article 23

(Qualifications of Project Group Members for Basic Research Projects)

A basic research project group shall demonstrate its qualification, if:

1. the project head and one third of the active researchers working on the research project with free capacity:
   • fulfils the legally defined conditions for a research project head, and
   • meet a minimum of 20 points from scientific citations defined in points 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 or in humanistic subjects in point 1.5 from Article 30 of these Rules in the last five years (the number of points shall be divided by the number of authors for an individual publication, if the number of authors is greater than 20, it shall be divided by 20)
   • demonstrate citations in scientific articles in journals defined in Article 30 of these Rules in the last five years (self-references are not taken into account)
   • demonstrate active international cooperation in the last five years.
2. the group's research equipment or rented equipment enables the implementation of the research project.

Article 24

(Qualifications of Project Group Members for Applied Research Projects)

An applied research project group shall demonstrate its qualification, if:

1. the research project head and one third of the active researchers working on the research project with free capacity:
   • fulfils the legally defined conditions for a research project head, and
   • meet a minimum of 20 points from the scientific citations defined in points 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 or in humanistic subjects in point 1.5 from Article 30 of these Rules in the last five years (the number of points shall be divided by the number of authors for an individual publication, if the number of authors is greater than 20, it shall be divided by 20)
   • demonstrate citations in scientific articles in the journals defined in Article 30 of these Rules (self-references are not taken into account), or a patent in the last ten years or demonstrate successful cooperation with users in the last five years
2. the group's research equipment or rented equipment enables the implementation of the research project.

Article 25

(Conditions for Postdoctoral Research Projects)

Postdoctoral research projects shall demonstrate compliance, if:

1. the head fulfils the legally determined conditions for a research project head and can also demonstrate above average research results as defined in Article 30 of these Rules
2. the only member with research hours is a researcher who is younger than 35 years and who has defended their thesis within the last three years and can demonstrate at least one scientific citation (including co-authorship) referred to in Article 30, or
3. the only member with research hours is a researcher native of Slovenia, with or without Slovenian citizenship, who has lived abroad until the applicant was submitted and is now moving to Slovenia. In such case the age limit shall not apply, but the single project member must be able to demonstrate the scientific results referred to in Article 30 of these Rules.

If the single member of a postdoctoral research project with research hours is a researcher that has made use of maternity or parental leave – with one year of leave for each child - the age limit from the second point of the first paragraph of this Article shall be increased beyond 35 years by the duration of leave taken. The same shall apply in the case of extended (documented) sick leave.

Article 26

(Assessment Criteria)

he criteria for assessing research project proposals shall be:

• project relevance
• research quality of the project content
• project group research qualifications, and
• management capability of the project group.

Article 27

(Relevance Indicator)

The relevance of a research project proposal shall be assessed by indicators on the compliance of the project proposal’s objectives with the call objectives, or with research themes in the case of a thematic call.

Article 28

(Content Quality Indicators)

The research quality of the research project proposal shall be assessed by the following indicators:

• scientific significance of the subject
• whether the theoretical bases are up-to-date and whether the methodology is appropriate
• potential socio-economic effects, and
• project feasibility with respect to available materials and personnel capacity of the group.

Article 29

(Group Quality Indicators)

The quality of the project group head and all researchers in the project group shall be assessed by the following indicators:

• research and development performance indicators as defined in Article 30 and 31 of these Rules in the last five years
• scientific impact of work (citations)
• a selection of the five most significant research and/or development achievements for each researcher in the group separately
• participation in European Union research programmes and other international research and/or development programmes and projects, and
• successful research and/or development cooperation with other research and user organisations
• effectiveness of use of public funds for research and development in the past.

Article 30

(Research Indicators)

Scientific work shall be assessed in terms of quality. The following indicators and criteria shall be used for quantitative assessments:

1. Scientific articles
   • 1.1 Scientific articles in a journal indexed by SCI Expanded with impact factor:
     • in the top quarter of journals in the relevant content category 80 points
     • in the second quarter of journals in the relevant content category 60 points
     • in the third quarter of journals in the relevant content category 40 points
     • in the fourth quarter of journals in the relevant content category 20 points
   • 1.2 Scientific articles in a journal indexed by SCI Expanded with an impact factor
     • above the median for journals in a relevant category 80 points
     • below the median for journals in a relevant category 40 points
   • 1.3 Scientific articles in a journal indexed by A&HCI 20 points
   • 1.4 Scientific articles in a journal not indexed by the ISI database, but which is indexed by an international bibliographical database specialised in a relevant discipline or subject area 10 points
   • 1.5 Scientific articles in other Slovenian scientific journals from the Agency list 5 points
   • 1.6 Short scientific contributions shall be awarded 80 per cent of the points awarded to full scientific articles in the same category of journal.
2. Scientific books
   • books issued by an international (scientific) publishing house 100 points
   • books issued by a national (scientific) publishing house 50 points
   • books issued by other publishing houses 30 points

The number of points for a chapter or article in a scientific book shall be the proportion of said text in the whole book multiplied by the maximum number of points. The total number of points in the COBISS collection for all chapters of the book must therefore be 100 per cent, i.e. 30, 50 or 100 points. The minimum number of points for a chapter in a book published by an international publisher shall be 10 points.

Article 31

(Development Indicators)

The following indicators shall be used to assess development activity and must be documented by contracted values and/or other relevant evidence:

• transferring knowledge to the commercial sphere (e.g.: introduction of and/or know-how for new or improved technology, systems, equipment, services or new or improved products, computer software with manuals, production of full documentation or manuals, introduction of special production methods, small and large R&D work, development of new varieties registered in foreign or Slovenian variety registers, or the development of recognised new varieties, and other)
• engagement of programme group in undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes at universities and independent higher education institutions
• higher education text books
• issued patents or sale of patent rights
• development and specialist work to support scientific research (databases, indicators, specialised thesauruses, dictionaries, lexicons and so on)
• the development of systemic, regulatory, programming, methodological and organisational solutions including research, evaluation, appraisals, specialised contributions and papers to meet the requirements of social sub-systems, and
• published specialised works.

Article 32

(Administrative Capability Indicators)

The administrative capability of a project group head shall be assessed on the basis of the following indicators:

1. comparison of project objectives with:
   • successfully concluded research projects
   • project group infrastructure
   • project group involvement in domestic economic and local social networks, and
   • international engagement of project group.
2. compliance with the applicable regulation on regulatory framework and standards for allocation of funds to research.

Article 33

(Assessment Criteria)

The Agency shall define additional quantitative criteria for assessing individual indictors in public call.

IV. Evaluation Procedure

Article 34

(Managing the Procedure)

The Agency shall coordinate and organise evaluation procedures, together with the Agency's Scientific Council and permanent expert bodies in accordance with the applicable Rules on the Organisation and Competent Expert Bodies for Research Activities.

Article 35

(Peers)

The content and relevance of a basic research project proposal shall be assessed within thirty days of receipt of the proposal by Slovenian and foreign peers. The content and relevance of a proposal for an applied research project or postdoctoral research project shall usually be assessed within thirty days of receipt of the proposal by Slovenian peers, and foreign peers if required. Peers are defined in the applicable implementing regulations on the organisation and competence of expert bodies for research activities; they shall make their assessments in accordance with the applicable implementing regulations on the organisation and competence of expert bodies for research activities and Article 28 of these Rules. Peers for basic, applied and postdoctoral research projects (hereinafter: projects) that are not theme-oriented shall be appointed by the discipline council. Peers for theme-oriented projects shall be appointed by the Agency's Scientific Council.

Article 36

(National Coordinators)

National coordinators as defined in the applicable implementing regulations on the organisation and competence of expert bodies for research activities shall, on the basis of appraisals for projects that are not theme-oriented, evaluate proposals on the basis of specialist criteria and the indicators and criteria defined in these Rules and in the public call.

National coordinators shall use the peer reviews, the quantitative indicators from Articles 30 and 31 of these Rules, the assessments of a project group's administrative capability prepared by the Agency and its own assessments to prepare a draft ranking of projects that are not theme-oriented, in a priority list by research field.

National coordinators shall submit the report on the draft ranking of projects that are not theme-oriented to the responsible member of the field of science council in question within 15 days of the end of the time limit for preparation of peer reviews.

Article 37

(Discipline Councils)

A member of the Agency's Scientific Council responsible for the relevant field of science or the president of the Agency's Scientific Council for Interdisciplinary Projects shall prepare assessments of proposals and the priority list for co-financing projects that are not theme-oriented on the basis of the following assessments made by the national coordinator: project relevance, research project content, research qualifications, and project group administrative capability. The discipline councils shall deliberate the draft priority list for projects that are not theme-oriented.

Article 38

(Agency Scientific Council)

On the basis of its members' reports, the Agency's Scientific Council shall deliberate upon and adopt a draft priority list of costed projects for the selection of projects that are not theme-oriented. The evaluation procedure for theme-oriented projects shall be carried out by the Agency's Scientific Council. Once the peer review have been made for theme-oriented projects, members of the Agency's Scientific Council shall assess the proposals on the basis of specialist criteria and the indicators and criteria defined in these Rules and in the public call. Members of the Agency's Scientific Council shall use the peer review, the quantitative indicators from Articles 30 and 31 of these Rules, the assessments of a project group's administrative capability prepared by the Agency and their own assessments to prepare a draft ranking of theme-oriented projects in an overall priority list. On the basis of its members' reports, the Agency's Scientific Council shall deliberate upon and prepare a draft list of costed projects for the selection of theme-oriented projects.

Article 39

(Ranking Criteria)

When ranking project proposals on the relevant priority list, priority shall be given to a project that demonstrates:

1. a higher level of compliance between project objectives and thematic call objectives
2. better quality content and better research indicators
3. optimal preparation of the project proposal
4. greater opportunities for the application of results in Slovenia
5. greater success in project application (value and number of contracts, cooperation and co-financing with user-organisations)
6. greater participation in international research networks.

V. Selection of Projects for Financing

Article 40

(Draft Decision on Selection)

The Agency's Scientific Council shall prepare a draft costed decision on the selection of an application for research project co-financing from the priority list. In doing so it shall take into account policies set out in the National Research and Development Programme and the annual research policy documents issued by the ministry responsible for science, specific priorities for the scientific and technological development of the state, and the budget funds available.

Article 41

(Decision on Selection)

The Director of the Agency shall submit the draft costed decision on the selection of an application for research project co-financing from the priority list to the Agency's Management Board for approval. The Management Board shall pass a decision on the selection of applications for research project co-financing. The Management Board must state the reasons for their decision in the explanatory section of the decision.

Article 42

(Notification of Selection)

The Agency shall inform applicants of the results of the selection of project proposals. The notification of selection shall contain information on the project co-financing and the amount of funds allocated.

Article 43

(Appeal)

Applicants shall have the right to submit an appeal within eight days of receipt of the notification of selection. The appeal must include a detailed definition of the reasons for the appeal. The conditions and criteria for applicant assessment cannot be the subject of appeal.

The submission of an appeal shall not delay the signing of contracts with selected applicants.

Applicants shall have the right to be informed of the peer reviews. Applicants may not request information about peers.

Article 44

(Resolution of Appeals)

The Director of the Agency shall appoint an appeal commission to prepare a draft decision on the appeal. The Director of the Agency shall submit the draft decision on the appeal to the Management Board for approval. The Management Board shall issue a decision on the appeal within 30 days of receiving the draft decision from the preceding paragraph. The Management Board must provide grounds for its decision. The responsible officer shall inform the applicant of the appeal's resolution. After the decision resolving the appeal has been passed and notification sent to the applicant, the Director of the Agency shall publish the approved list of projects on the Agency website.

VI. Contract on Project Implementation

Article 45

(Conclusion of the Contract)

The Agency shall conclude a contract on the implementation of the selected projects listed in the decision on selection.

Article 46

(Signing of the Contract)

A draft contract shall be sent for signature by applicants (hereinafter: Contracted Parties), together with the contract documentation forms. The Contracted Parties must return the signed contract with the completed forms within 15 days of receipt thereof.

Article 47

(Deficiencies and Withdrawal from Conclusion of the Contract)

If the Agency Official finds that the contractual documentation has not been correctly completed, he or she shall notify the Contracted Party of the deficiencies and request that they be corrected within 30 days. If the Contracted Party does not correct the deficiencies in the contractual documentation within the set time limit, the Agency shall withdraw from the contract and inform the Contracted Party thereof within 8 days at the latest.

VII. Monitoring Project Implementation

Article 48

(Veracity of Information)

The Contracted Parties shall guarantee the veracity of the information provided in the documentation.

Article 49

(Monitoring and Supervision)

The Agency shall monitor and supervise project implementation during every phase on the basis of annual and final reports on work and funds used, in accordance with the applicable general acts of the Agency. The Agency may request that the contractor for an applied project or industrial project submit a report on the economic and other effects of project result application for five years after the end of the project.

Article 50

(Regular Reporting)

The project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Parties shall be responsible for regularly reporting on the implementation and financing of the project in accordance with the project contract. The expert bodies of the Agency shall assess annual and final reports. In the case of co-financed projects, the co-financer's written annual and final assessments, including explanations of the potential effects of the project results, shall be included in the assessment of project realisation.

Article 51

(Content of Annual Reports)

The annual report on the results of completed research work shall contain the project title, name and registered office of the applicant, name and surname of the project head and contract number, and a brief report on content and proof of fulfilling the obligations assumed in relation to the following:

1. the project objectives
2. realisation of proposed work programme
3. application of results
4. grounds for any changes in the programme
5. international cooperation
6. research and other results.

The annual report must be signed by the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party. Reports in electronic format must be certified with an authorised digital certificate for the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party.

Article 52

(Content of Final Reports)

The final report on the results of completed research work shall contain the project title, name and registered office of the applicant, name and surname of the project head and contract number, plus a co-financer's report, a consolidated report and proof of fulfiling the obligations assumed for the entire duration of the project in relation to the following:

1. the project objectives
2. report on the realisation of the proposed work programme
3. application of results
4. international cooperation
5. research and other results.

The final report must be signed by the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party. Reports in electronic format must be certified with an authorised digital certificate for the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party.

Article 53

(Financial Reports)

In addition to the information referred to in Articles 51 and 52 of these Rules, Contracted Parties must also submit a financial report containing a review of the use of funds, in accordance with the Government approved standards and norms for calculating the price of research work and project costs. The financial report must be signed by the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party, and by an accountant.

Reports in electronic format must be certified with an authorised digital certificate for the project head and responsible officer of the Contracted Party, and the accountant.

The financial report shall be submitted at the same time as the reports referred to in Articles 51 and 52 of these Rules.

Article 54

(Changes in Circumstance)

Contracted Parties must inform the Agency of any circumstances that effect the successful implementation of the project. If the Agency Official finds that changed circumstances disrupt continuation of a project, he or she may temporarily suspend financing of the project.

Article 55

(Termination of Project Implementation)

If it is discovered that a project cannot be successfully ended for objective circumstances, the project shall be terminated, but the Contracted Party shall not in that case be required to return the funds already paid.

If it is discovered that a project cannot be successfully ended because the project implementer has not fulfilled its contractual obligations, the Agency shall rescind the contract and demand the return of all funds already paid, together with penalty interest.

Article 56

(Instructions on the Implementation of Changes)

The Agency shall issue instructions on the implementation in the cases of changes to projects on the basis of these Rules.

VIII. Informing the Public and Users

Article 57

(Method of Informing the Public)

The Agency shall inform the public and users about the results of completed projects via the Agency website, in internal communications, public media, and at public panel discussions and conferences organised by the Agency.

Article 58

(Publication of Project Results)

Contracted Parties must state when publishing project results and in any other form of public presentation thereof that the results are from a project financed from the national budget, and at the Agency's request they must participate in public information activities organised by the Agency.

IX. Forms

Article 59

(Forms and Instructions)

The Director of the Agency shall approve all the requisite forms, with instructions for completion, required by these Rules. The forms and instructions must be easily accessible from the Agency website.

X. Transitional and Final Provisions

Article 60

The Director of the Agency must issue the forms and instructions from Article 59 of these Rules within two months.

Article 61

(Cessation of Application of Previous Rules)

On the day these Rules enter into force, the Rules on the Conditions and Methodology for the Selection and Financing of Basic and Applied Research Projects (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, no. 21/01 and 38/02) shall cease to be used.

Article 62

(Applicability of the Rules)

These Rules shall enter into force the day after their publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia.