Material Transfer Agreements

Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are contracts that govern and protect the transfer of tangible research material between institutions. Establishing an MTA helps ensure that questions related to intellectual property rights, academic publication and priority and the authorized use of materials are clearly addressed in advance. 

An MTA is required whenever a UNT Health investigator sends or receives any proprietary biological materials or any materials derived from human subjects. MTAs may also be appropriate in certain situations involving the exchange of non-biological research materials. 

UNT Health Principal Investigators can request an MTA directly by submitting a GRAMS SmartForm. 

All requests MUST include: 
♦ A detailed description of the material 
♦ An explanation of how the material will be used in the proposed research 
♦ The source of the material, indicating whether it was developed at UNT Health or obtained from a third party
♦ Appropriate compliance documentation, including IACUC or IRB approval, if the materials involve live animals or human subjects/specimens