Be a consultant

What we do

Do you need help with a consultancy contract?

Academic consultancy is an important and effective way for the University to share its knowledge and expertise with government, industry and the public sector.

If you’ve been approached by an organisation and asked to be a paid consultant, we can help. It is through our Consultancy Services that University staff, researchers and postgraduate students are supported to be consultants, to provide their expertise and know-how, offer expert witness advice and serve on scientific advisory boards.

Why engage in academic consultancy?

Longer-term benefits

Peace of mind

Generate revenue

Earnings from consultancy projects can be taken personally or you can choose to waive your fee, in which case the money will be donated to the University and, for example, could potentially be used for acquisition of equipment, staff retention, conferences, etc.

Consultancy earnings, including applied research, can be counted as research income, which contributes to the Quality-related Research funding received by the University and REF assessment.

Benefit from our expertise and support

We offer support by:

Negotiating contract terms and conditions
Ensuring that projects are tailored to protect the confidentiality of both parties
Assisting with contract pricing to ensure your expertise and time are appropriately valued
Invoicing and distributing income
Providing professional indemnity and public liability insurance policies, including travel insurance, from the University
Arranging for the use of University facilities
Approving the use of University affiliation

The process

1) Choose your consultancy route

Any member of University staff can undertake consultancy, including academics, academic-related and assistant staff, as well as postdoctoral researchers and PhD students (under the supervision of a Principal Investigator).

University policy allows staff to consult either by undertaking consultancy projects with the support of the Consultancy Services team (this is done through Cambridge Enterprise’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cambridge University Technical Services Limited known as CUTS), or by acting entirely in a personal and private capacity.

Please note all University employees who undertake consultancy work for the NHS, must have their payment administrated through CUTS.

The table below compares the differences between the two options.

Through the University (via CUTS)	In a private capacity
Contractual arrangements are between the client and CUTS.	Contracts are between the client and the individual liable for the work.
Cover from University’s insurance policies including professional indemnity.	Individuals need to consider their private insurance cover needs and, as necessary, ensure cover is maintained at an appropriate level for an adequate period after the completion of their work.
Use of University of Cambridge address and affiliation.	Home address and use of personal letterhead.
Use of University of Cambridge facilities (subject to full economic costing [FEC] and Departmental permission).	University staff performing work in a private capacity do so entirely at their own risk and must make a clear distinction between their private work and their University duties.

2) Establish the scope of the project

3) Contact us

4) Review the contract

5) Sign the contract

6) Complete the project

7) Receive payment

Ready to get started?

Tell us about your academic consultancy opportunity

Private clinical practice

Find out the process for your private clinical practice work

Online training

Find out more how consultancy works & how we can help

Consultancy 101 workshop

Want to learn more but in-person? Join us at our next bi-annual workshop

What kind of work do our consultants undertake?

With the help of Consultancy Services, academics who work in science and technology, as well as those in the fields of arts, humanities and social sciences, have applied their skills and knowledge to solve problems faced by hundreds of companies, governmental groups, charities and NGOs, making a swift, direct impact on society.