Intellectual Property Audit

2026-11-03

The University seeks a skilled and experienced consultant to deliver an IP audit, which should include, but not be limited to, the following elements: 1. Policy and Documentation Review - Review YSJ’s existing Intellectual Property Policy and all associated guidance, templates and documentation. - Recommend updates to ensure alignment with sector best practice and YSJ’s strategic ambitions. - Produce an updated IP Policy, together with supporting documentation where appropriate. 2. IP Process and Decision Framework - Develop a clear, practical IP decision tree and process to support staff in identifying, disclosing and progressing IP. - The process should be understandable to non specialists and suitable for an institution with limited internal IP resource. - The framework should support progression from identification through protection and onward commercialisation where appropriate. 3. IP Awareness and Senior Leadership Engagement Deliver a concise 20 minute presentation to senior managers at YSJ, in person, on: - The importance of intellectual property in a university context - The purpose and value of the IP audit - The risks of unmanaged or unprotected IP This session should support institutional understanding and senior ownership of IP activity. 4. Academic and Research Staff Survey - Design and support the dissemination of a survey to academic and research staff across the University to: - Raise awareness of IP - Identify staff who may hold existing or emerging IP - Capture information on IP that may or may not already be protected Support YSJ in interpreting survey outputs and identifying candidates for follow up. 5. Face to Face Academic Interviews - Conduct a number of face to face interviews with academics identified through the survey or via leadership engagement as potentially holding IP. Interviews should explore: - The nature of potential IP - Current status (protected/unprotected) - Commercial relevance or translational potential Interviews will take place in person at York St John University. 6. Reporting and Outputs Provide a comprehensive written report that includes: - Findings from the policy review - A revised IP policy and supporting processes - A clear IP decision tree - A summary of survey findings - A register or summary of any existing or potential IP identified during the audit - Practical recommendations for next steps Consultant Requirements Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate: - Proven experience delivering IP or commercialisation audits within UK universities - Experience working with non Russell Group or teaching focused institutions - Strong understanding of non traditional and practice based IP (e.g. health, sport, digital, pedagogic or professional practice innovation), not solely patent led science - Willingness and ability to travel to York to: - Deliver the senior management presentation - Conduct face to face interviews with academics Timescales and Format YSJ anticipates this being a short, defined engagement, with flexibility in delivery approach. Consultants are asked to provide initial information using the MS Form link below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/FMn3kHdUWQ Responses will include: - A short description of their approach - Evidence of relevant experience - An outline cost proposal - Availability to deliver the work - Approach and methodology This information will be used to help us confirm our path to market and define our specification. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-York:-Research-and-development-consultancy-services./HTGSE7J97P To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/respond/HTGSE7J97P

United Kingdom (UK)

2026-06-02