
The Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) process is a crucial step in collaborating with other institutions or organizations. It ensures that all parties involved understand their responsibilities and obligations.
A Material Transfer Agreement is a contract between two or more parties that outlines the terms and conditions for the transfer of materials, such as cells, DNA, or other biological materials. This agreement is essential for protecting the rights and interests of all parties involved.
The MTA process typically involves several key steps, including drafting the agreement, reviewing and revising it, and executing the final version. This process requires careful attention to detail to ensure that all necessary information is included.
There are several types of MTAs, including non-exclusive and exclusive agreements, as well as agreements that specify the use of the transferred materials for research purposes only.
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MTA Types and Purpose
There are three common types of Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) at academic institutions: transfer between academic or research institutions, transfer from academia to industry, and transfer from industry to academia. Each type requires different terms and conditions.
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In the US, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a simple letter agreement for simple transfers not involving intellectual property. For more complex transfers, the NIH has developed the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA).
Universities will want to ensure that MTA terms permit full dissemination of research results, and do not conflict with other University policies.
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Definition and Purpose
Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are contractual documents used for the acquisition of various biological and research materials, and occasionally, data, developed by nonprofit, government and private industry.
Industry may view their materials as important proprietary resources, and may want to assert ownership of any inventions made with those materials, or restrict publication of unfavorable results. This can lead to time-consuming negotiations to accommodate the needs of both parties.
Our University is a state-related entity that receives a large proportion of its research funding from the U.S. federal government, which means MTAs must meet University policies as well as funding agency requirements.
The University of Pittsburgh requires an outgoing MTA (or another form of contract) for University materials being sent out of our University.
Mta Types

MTA types vary depending on the context of the transfer. There are three common types at academic institutions.
Transfer between academic or research institutions involves different terms and conditions. For simple transfers not involving intellectual property, a simple letter agreement is recommended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US.
Transfer from academia to industry and transfer from industry to academia also require different terms and conditions. For materials that may be patented or for which more protection is desired, the NIH has developed a Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA).
Many U.S. educational institutions have signed the UBMTA Master Agreement, which AUTM (previously the Association of University Technology Managers) serves as the repository for. Signatories to the UBMTA Master Agreement only have to sign an implementing letter with the details of the particular transfer.
Uniform Biological Material Transfer
Our university is a signatory to the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) Master Agreement, a contracting mechanism published by NIH on behalf of PHS.
The UBMTA is a contracting mechanism that facilitates the transfer of biological materials between academic institutions, making it easier to expedite such transfers.
By signing the UBMTA Master Agreement, institutions agree to the terms, allowing for the execution of an Implementing Letter for each transfer of a biological material.
An Implementing Letter denotes the biological material, providing institution, and receiving institution, streamlining the transfer process.
The Clinical/Corporate Contracts Services team will utilize the UBMTA whenever possible to expedite the transfer of applicable biological materials.
No negotiation of individualized terms is necessary for institutions that have agreed to the UBMTA Master Agreement.
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Repository and Deposits
The University encourages researchers to deposit University-owned research tools into repositories to further distribute them.
Entities like Jackson Labs or Addgene are examples of repositories that can be used for deposits.
Researchers can use MyRA to submit an MTA (direction of transfer = sending) to the Office of Sponsored Programs for such deposits.
For questions on deposits, please call 412-624-7419.
Repository Deposits
The University encourages researchers to deposit University owned research tools into repositories to make them more widely available. This can include entities like Jackson Labs or Addgene.
If you're interested in depositing materials, you can use MyRA to submit a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) to the Office of Sponsored Programs.
The Office of Sponsored Programs can be reached at 412-624-7419 for any questions or concerns about deposits.
Documents Needed
To initiate a repository and deposit process, you'll need to gather a few key documents. A completed submission in MyRA, created and submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI), is a must-have.
The scope of work for the research involving the desired research materials should also be clearly outlined. This will help ensure that all necessary steps are taken to obtain the required materials.
If you're requesting materials from an external provider, you'll need to submit a proposed MTA (Material Transfer Agreement) or request to use a specific template. The type of template required will depend on the specific circumstances of the transaction.
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You may also need to provide additional supporting documents, which can include various approval letters such as RBL, IRB, CORID, hSCRO, RSO, or IBC approval letters.
Here's a list of the specific documents that may be required:
- Completed submission in MyRA
- Scope of work of the research involving the desired research materials
- Proposed MTA (if incoming MTA, Provider template) or request to use Pitt template
- Any of the following as applicable:
- RBL approval letter
- IRB approval letter
- CORID approval letter
- hSCRO approval letter
- RSO approval letter
- IBC approval letter
For incoming MTAs, researchers will need to submit a completed and signed Affirmation Memo, along with any supporting documents and the material provider's original draft MTA.
MCF-10DCIS Cell Line
To request the MCF10DCIS.com cell line, researchers must submit a completed Cell Line Request Form to OTC for review.
If your request is approved, OTC will generate a draft Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) specific for the cell line and submit it to you for signature.
OTC will work with your organization to negotiate the terms and conditions of the MTA if necessary, in accordance with WSU policies.
Please note that permissible changes to the intellectual property terms of this particular MTA are extremely limited due to the nature of this material.
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Outgoing MTAs
To initiate an outgoing MTA request, researchers are required to submit to OTC a completed Outgoing MTA Questionnaire, along with any supporting documents.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends a simple letter agreement for simple transfers not involving intellectual property.
OTC will evaluate the proposed conditions of the material transfer, draft an appropriate MTA, and submit the draft to the recipient organization for signature.
For materials that may be patented or for which more protection is desired, the NIH has developed a Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA).
If necessary, OTC will work with the recipient organization to negotiate the terms and conditions of the MTA in accordance with WSU policies.
In the US, many U.S. educational institutions have signed the UBMTA Master Agreement, which simplifies the process by only requiring an implementing letter with the details of the particular transfer.
Research materials are being shared with another entity that will use those materials for a research project of their own design in which our University has no intellectual or hands-on involvement, then this transfer would, most likely, occur as an outgoing MTA.
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Here are some key characteristics of outgoing MTAs and collaborations:
Agreement Processing
When you need to process a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), there are specific steps to follow.
First, you need to determine which office is responsible for reviewing your MTA. If you're receiving materials related to research for free (except for shipping costs), Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) is the one to contact.
If you're sending out University technology or materials, the Office of Technology Management (OTM) is the right choice.
However, if your MTA requires payment of a fee to the provider, you'll need to submit it to Purchasing for review and signature. Don't worry about shipping costs - they don't count as paying for the materials.
To submit a request to SPA, you'll need to use the appropriate eForm. But here's a catch: Addgene MTAs need to be initiated within the Addgene site, not through the eForm.
When submitting your request, make sure to note the following information:
- Are the materials related to or being used for a sponsored project?
- Will Background Intellectual Property be used?
- Will materials from other providers be used?
- Do you intend to transfer the materials to another person on campus?
- Do you intend to transfer the materials to someone not on our campus?
MTA Types and Specifics
There are three common types of MTAs at academic institutions: transfer between academic or research institutions, transfer from academia to industry, and transfer from industry to academia. Each type requires different terms and conditions.
For simple transfers not involving intellectual property, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends using a simple letter agreement. This is the case in the US, where many educational institutions have signed the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) Master Agreement.
If you're part of an institution that has signed the UBMTA Master Agreement, you only need to sign an implementing letter with the details of the particular transfer, as you've already agreed to the terms of the Master Agreement.
The NIH has also developed a Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) for materials that may be patented or require more protection.
Here are some common types of MTAs:
- Outgoing Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Pitt as Provider
- Incoming Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Pitt as Recipient
Template Agreements
Template agreements are a convenient way to streamline the transfer of materials between institutions. They provide a standardized framework for transactions, saving time and effort.

The University has two types of template agreements for material transfer: Outgoing Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) and Incoming MTAs. These agreements are used for Pitt as the provider and Pitt as the recipient, respectively.
The University is also a signatory to the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) Master Agreement. This agreement is a contracting mechanism published by NIH to facilitate the transfer of biological materials between academic institutions.
An Implementing Letter is executed when using the UBMTA, which denotes the biological material, providing institution, and receiving institution. This process can expedite the transfer of applicable biological materials.
Here are the types of template agreements used by the University:
- Outgoing Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Pitt as Provider
- Incoming Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) - Pitt as Recipient
- Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA)
Human Derived Materials
If you're working with human-derived materials, you'll need to get approval from the WSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) before sending or receiving any materials.
Researchers must contact the WSU IRB and route research plans involving human subjects and materials of human origin through the WSU Human Research Protection Program.
To finalize a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) for human-derived materials, OTC must confirm with the IRB that the transfer is allowed.
You'll need to attach a copy of the IRB approval or exemption memo to your MTA request for human-derived materials.
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Initiation and Processing
To initiate and process a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), you'll need to submit a request through the appropriate eForm, except for Addgene MTAs, which must be initiated within the Addgene site.
You'll need to answer a series of questions in the eForm, including whether the materials are related to or being used for a sponsored project, and whether you intend to transfer the materials to someone on or off campus.
To enter an MTA, you'll need a copy of the draft agreement, correspondence with the sponsor, sponsor contact information, and any other available documentation.
MTAs are not valid unless signed by an authorized representative from OSP or OCR, so be sure to follow the proper procedures for submission and approval.
Here's a quick rundown of the information you'll need to submit:
- Are the materials related to or being used for a sponsored project?
- Will Background Intellectual Property be used?
- Will materials from other providers be used?
- Do you intend to transfer the materials to another person on campus?
- Do you intend to transfer the materials to someone not on our campus?
MTAs are an important part of the research process, defining the parameters under which material may be used, and protecting both the Researcher's and Yale's interests.
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