18.1. The number of research and IP related cases finalised in 2025-26 (1445) is 9% higher than 2024-25 (1121) and is the highest caseload in any financial year to date. The breakdown of contract types is shown in Table 9.
18.2. There continues to be an increase in the number of cases completed for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OH), for whom we provide a research contract service. The team has recruited an OH-funded member who was trained this year to work on OH cases but also supports OUH cases where capacity allowed and demands required.
18.3. The team continues to use DocuSign to initiate and manage efficient paperless execution of agreements, including signatures for Oxford Health contracts. Use of electronic signatures during 2025 resulted in an estimated 1,750 lb reduction in carbon emissions, 2,195 gal of water conserved, 745 lb of wood saved, and 121 lb of waste eliminated.
Table 9. Cases completed by the Research Contracts and IP team in 2025-26
| Case type | Number |
| Confidentiality Agreement | 297 |
| Clinical Trial Site Agreement | 297 |
| Amendment | 264 |
| Grant Application | 186 |
| Oxford Health | 173 |
| Service Agreement | 83 |
| Collaboration Agreement | 69 |
| Assignment/Revenue Share | 25 |
| Data Transfer Agreement | 25 |
| Other | 14 |
| MTA Donor Academic | 12 |
| Total | 1445 |