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Material Transfer Agreement FAQs
If you have any questions regarding the below or about any other conditions or obligations contained in any MTA that relates to your research, please contact Jefferson Innovation at mtas@jefferson.edu.
The scientist who created the materials has given me permission to receive them or provide them to a third party. Is an MTA still required?
Yes. The scientist is not the owner of the materials. The materials are owned by the institution where they were created, and an authorized official from that institution must give permission for the transfer.
I am receiving the same materials again from the same scientist. An MTA was previously executed. Is another MTA required?
No, unless the materials are for a different scope of research than that listed in the existing MTA, if the MTA specified the quantity of materials to be transferred, or if the MTA contained an expiration date that has passed.
I want to use some materials received via an MTA for a new research idea. Do I need another MTA?
Frequently. An MTA is generally intended for a specific researcher and a particular research scope. If a researcher wishes to use materials received via an MTA for any purpose other than what is disclosed in the existing agreement – assuming that a purpose was required – Jefferson must obtain permission from the provider and amend the existing MTA or enter into a new one.
The person who provided materials to me passed away, retired, or is no longer in possession of them. Can I send these materials to researchers at other institutions?
No. The materials are owned by the institution where they were created, and that institution must give its permission for further distribution.
I want to send some materials to my collaborators at other institutions. Is an MTA required?
Yes. An MTA is required for any transfer of tangible research materials in connection with basic research. If you are working together with the recipient scientist on a mutually developed project, rather than sending the materials to them for their own independent research, Jefferson will execute a collaboration agreement with material transfer language embedded within that contract.
I want to send some materials to a third party to have them perform a service for me. Do I need an MTA?
No. An MTA would be appropriate only if you were transferring the materials to the third party for its own independent research purposes. This type of fee-for-service arrangement requires a service agreement. Service agreements are managed by the Office of Research Administration, and you should contact them about this matter.
Can I share materials I received from other institutions with my colleagues down the hall?
No. An MTA is intended for a specific researcher for use in connection with a particular research scope. If other Jefferson researchers wish to use these materials in their work, they will need to obtain separate MTAs.
I am only sending/receiving materials to the NIH or another government agency. Do I need an MTA?
Yes. An MTA is required for any transfer of tangible research materials in connection with basic research, no matter who the recipient is.
I am only sending/receiving a small amount of material (e.g. plasmid, cell, tissue). Do I need an MTA?
Yes. An MTA is required for any transfer of tangible research materials in connection with basic research, no matter the amount.
I purchased materials from a repository (Jackson Laboratory, Addgene, etc.), and I would like to share them with a colleague. Do I need an MTA?
Frequently. Repository materials are purchased under MTAs or other agreements that may restrict their use and further distribution. We must be sure to comply with the vendor’s terms and conditions of sale before transferring such materials.
Can I receive or ship materials before the MTA is signed by all parties?
No. All signatures must be obtained on the MTA before any transfer of materials is initiated. The agreement is not valid until signed by all parties.
Is there a fee associated with MTAs?
Sometimes. Occasionally a fee is applied for shipping and/or preparation of the materials. If Jefferson is providing the materials, you may request a fee to be reimbursed for costs associated with them. The fee will be agreed upon before the MTA is signed, but it is not required until the MTA is completed.
I am moving my lab and want to take my materials with me. Do I need an MTA?
Yes. You do not own the materials. They are owned either by the original provider, or if created here, by Jefferson. If you decide to leave Jefferson, you may not take the materials with you without written permission from Jefferson Innovation. Jefferson policy requires that all permitted transfers be documented via an MTA with your new organization.