University of Pittsburgh
Office of Research

 

Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)

 

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. Often these materials are a necessary component of a research project and are available only from a sole source, often 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. Universities will want to ensure that MTA terms permit full dissemination of research results, and do not conflict with other University policies. Because of these differing views of MTAs, the necessary negotiations to accommodate the needs of both parties can be time consuming. The usual areas of negotiation relate to publications, use of the research results, and the ownership of the technology generated by the research. The University is a state-related entity that receives a high proportion of its research funding from the federal government. In order to ensure that MTAs meet University policies as well as the requirements of funding agencies, the University will review MTAs to ensure compliance with NIH policies, including the policy on the sharing of research tools.

What is the procedure to have an MTA executed for the following types of MTAs?

  • INCOMING MTA -

    • FOR MATERIALS THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH WILL BE RECEIVING when you have the provider's MTA only on paper:

      1. Complete the Incoming MTA Submission form and sign it.
      2. Attach any relevant compliance letters (i.e., IACUC, IRB, ICB, and/or DNA -- For compliance information, see http://www.rcco.pitt.edu/) and a research description/scope of work (SOW).
      3. Attach the Submission Form, SOW and compliance letters to your paper MTA and fax it to 412-624-7414.
      4. Alternatively, you may scan the paper copies and submit all materials electronically to: orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu with a copy to your Contract Officer in the Office of Research (See http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/cccs-const.html).
      5. You will be contacted when the MTA is available to pick up.

    • FOR MATERIALS THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH WILL BE RECEIVING when you have the provider's MTA electronically (PREFERRED):

      1. Complete the Incoming MTA Submission form and sign it.
      2. Attach any relevant compliance letters (i.e., IACUC, IRB, ICB, and/or DNA -- For compliance information, see http://www.rcco.pitt.edu/) and a research description/scope of work (SOW).
      3. Preferred: Scan your signed Submission Form and letters and attach them to the email with e-file of the MTA. An editable WORD file of the MTA is highly preferred. Send the email to orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu with a copy to your Contract Officer in the Office of Research (See http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/cccs-const.html).
      4. Alternatively, attach the Form, SOW, and compliance letters to a paper copy of your MTA and fax it to 412-624-7414.
      5. You will be contacted when the MTA is available to pick up.

  • OUTGOING MTA -

    • FOR MATERIALS THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH WILL BE PROVIDING when you want to send materials out of the University of Pittsburgh:

      1. Complete the Outgoing MTA submission form and sign it.
      2. Attach any relevant compliance letters (i.e., IACUC, IRB, ICB, and/or DNA -- For compliance information, see http://www.rcco.pitt.edu/)
      3. Fax the Form and letters to 412-624-7414.
      4. Alternatively, you may scan your signed Submission Form and letters, and attach them to an email. Send the email to orcontracts@offres.pitt.edu and cc your Contract Officer in the Office of Research (See http://www.pitt.edu/~offres/cccs-const.html).
      5. O/R will verify whether the Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) is appropriate to use, or if the University's standard MTA should be used. O/R will then source the appropriate form of MTA to the recipient via the contact information provided on the completed Outgoing MTA Submission Form.
      6. You will be contacted when the MTA has been signed.

Contact

8/05, revised 6/10