What is a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)?

 A MTA is an agreement that allows one party to perform research using the materials of another party. This agreement governs common issues such as allowable uses, transfer of rights, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and liability.

 What is the process for getting a MTA in place?

 The process is slightly different depending on whether you are receiving material from or providing material to another organization.

  1. When receiving materials:
    1. Complete the MTA recipient information sheet available at http://www.iupui.edu/%7Eresgrad/spon/corp/iu_recip_mta_info_03.16.08.rtf and e-mail it to srsinfo@iupui.edu or fax it to 274-8744.
    2. Generally, the providing organization will want to utilize their agreement. If you receive such an agreement, please send it in duplicate to R&SP or e-mail it to srsinfo@iupui.edu along with the information sheet.
    3. If the providing organization does not have an agreement, you can send the organization IU’s template agreement which is available at http://www.iupui.edu/%7Eresgrad/spon/corp/iu_recip_mta_03.16.08.doc.
    4. The Corporate Contracts staff will then handle the negotiation of your material transfer agreement. They can be reached at 278-3473. 
  1. When providing materials:
    1. Complete the MTA provider information sheet available at http://www.iupui.edu/%7Eresgrad/spon/corp/iu_prov_mta_info_03.16.08.rtf and e-mail it to srsinfo@iupui.edu or fax it to 274-8744.
    2. The Corporate Contracts staff will then send the MTA to the recipient organization or you can send it to the recipient.
    3. The Corporate Contracts staff will then handle the negotiation of your material transfer agreement. They can be reached at 278-3473.

Why is an MTA needed?

  1. An MTA allows for the proper tracking of research materials (biohazards, etc.), compliance with the individual terms and conditions on use, and protection of the intellectual property interests of both the recipient and provider of the materials.
  2. Usually the owner of patented material is the researcher’s university or organization. Receiving material from a researcher, even if he/she is the developer of the material, without a written MTA could infringe a patent owned by the researcher’s university or organization.
  3. Unauthorized use of patented material in one’s research could potentially result in a patent infringement action against you and Indiana University.
  4. A completed MTA documents permission to use the material so the importance of such documentation should not be overlooked. 

Contact the Corporate Contracts Administration staff:

  1. E-mail: srsinfo@iupui.edu Telephone: 278-3473.

Office of Research Administration
Last Update: july 10, 2008
http://www.researchadmin.iu.edu
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