Research Contracts and Innovation (RC&I) supports UCT’s research activities by centrally managing, authorising and negotiating research contracts entered into with our wide variety of funders. Intellectual property in the knowledge economy in which we operate is central to many of these contracts and the group strives to protect UCT’s interests from the outset. We also assist with protection of the intellectual property flowing from our world-class research, often via patenting. The Office for Industry Liaison (OIL) was established in 1999 and this evolved into UCT Innovation which was established in 2002, renamed RCIPS in 2007, and finally shortened to RC&I in 2016.. RC&I seeks to stimulate the growth of the South African economy by fostering small business development and/or the creation of jobs through the commercialisation and implementation of UCT’s intellectual property, transforming society and leading to social and commercial benefit. Members of the RC&I team keep abreast of current international trends through membership of a number of different organisations, such as the Licensing Executives Society (LES) and Association for University Technology Managers (AUTM) and the South African Research & Innovation Management Association (SARIMA).