UCC leading Irish university in research income derived from industry

26 Sep 2025

University College Cork (UCC) is the leading Irish university in research income derived from industry, according to Knowledge Transfer Ireland’s (KTI) 2024 Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey.  UCC also ranked number one for invention/software disclosures (IDFs) received, as well as the total number of Licences, Options and Assignments (LOAs) executed in 2024.

The Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey, published annually by KTI, provides a detailed report on knowledge transfer activities across Ireland. The survey, which draws on data obtained from Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes, includes insights from eight Universities, five Technological Universities, two Institutes of Technology and two Colleges. The survey also incorporates contributions from Teagasc, the Marine Institute and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR).  

The mission of Knowledge Transfer Ireland, which sits within Enterprise Ireland, is to support business and the research base to maximise innovation from State funded research by getting technology, ideas and expertise into the hands of business, swiftly and easily for the benefit of the public and the economy.

Overall, UCC is in the top 3 universities for almost all outputs. It was first for LOAs (Licences, Options and Assignments - instances where intellectual property (IP) results were transferred or agreed to be transferred from UCC to another party for the purpose of commercialisation), as well as invention/software disclosures received in 2024 (IDFs). UCC was also the top university for research expenditure derived from industry.

Key highlights from the report include:

• Number 1 Irish university for total number of invention/software disclosures received during the year 2024 (69)
• Leading university in Ireland in 2024 for research expenditure derived from industry (€8.9M)
• Highest number of licences, options and assignments executed (LOAs) during 2024 (33)

“Being the leading Irish university for IDFs, research income derived from industry, and LOAs executed in 2024 is a testament to the strength of UCC’s partnerships with industry, as well as the global relevance of our research. I would like to acknowledge both the UCC research community and UCC Innovation for the vital role they play in developing economic impact from our expertise and research” said Prof John Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation in UCC.

Dr Sally Cudmore, Director of UCC Innovation said “KTI’s Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey highlights UCC’s position as Ireland’s leading university for innovations disclosed, LOAs, and research income derived from industry. These results reflect the robust innovation pipeline that UCC researchers are developing, as well as strong partnerships UCC has with industry and success in translating UCC research into impact. I am proud of our team who work to ensure that UCC research delivers impact and commercial value, providing a benefit to society and further advancing UCC’s research mission.”

The Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey provides valuable insights into the progress and trends in Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem. The findings underscore the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving economic growth and fostering innovation. The survey can be read in full here.