MEASURES BY THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH REGARDING ELIGIBLE COSTS IN ONGOING PROJECTS IN 2020 DUE TO THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

In an effort to improve the situation for the research teams in the context of the declaration of a state of emergency in ČR, restrictions on movement and personal communication due to the spread of the COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Agency for Health Research ČR , has approved transitional changes to the determination of eligible costs for ongoing projects in 2020.

Eligible costs paid from earmarked funds, until the end of 2020, the costs listed below may be included if they are directly related to the restrictions adopted to combat the spread of the coronavirus epidemic and COVID-19:

- fees and travel costs for conferences permanently cancelled or not held in 2020 (up to 100%);

Note: If the conference is rescheduled, however, the notice here http://azvcr.cz/aktuality/upozorneni-k-zahranicnim-pracovnim-cestam-v-souvislosti-se-sirenim-koronaviru still applies.

- other unrealised business trips or travel costs (up to 100%);
- costs of telecommunication services, costs of acquisition, repair and maintenance of devices and equipment in the field of communication equipment and technologies;
- additional (overhead) costs may include other costs incurred in connection with the resolution of this crisis situation;
- personal costs may include other costs incurred in connection with the resolution of this crisis situation;

Unspent funds from the travel line item in 2020, will be available for use and drawdown (upon creation of the FUP, NUP) in 2021. The following year, the travel cap will be increased by these funds - analogous to the Senate bill that would allow travel agencies to give vouchers for cancelled trips.

(Source: https://www.novinky.cz/domaci/clanek/penize-za-zaplacene-zajezdy-mohou-vracet-cestovky-az-v-zari-schvalil-senat-40320765)

Transfers of earmarked funds allocated to beneficiaries or co-beneficiaries between the headings Personnel costs and Other operating costs may be made up to a maximum of CZK 50,000 without a request for approval of the change (no amendment or new decision will be required), and these transfers are possible until the end of 2020.

All changes, transfers, costs must be specified and properly justified in the partial or final report. The justification must show that they are necessary for the project, are efficient, cost-effective, effective and are related to the situation created by the declaration of a state of emergency, the restrictions issued and the fight against the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.

In addition, project promoters are advised that if there is a delay in the project schedule in connection with the resolution of this crisis situation, it is also necessary to justify everything in the following partial or final report. For projects ending on 31 December 2020, it is possible to apply for an extension of the project (without the right to further earmarked support), but the application must be submitted before the actual closure (at the latest by the end of October, but preferably earlier).