Sponsored Projects Administration

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a contract that establishes terms and conditions governing the transfer of research-related materials between UTHealth Houston and another entity. An MTA between a providing entity and a receiving entity should be fully executed before any materials are sent or received. An MTA is typically non-monetary; however, if the outside entity is an industry partner, additional proposal information may be required (such as approvals for cost share or COI forms).

There are two types of MTAs:
MTAs IN (RECEIVING MATERIALS) MTAs OUT (PROVIDING MATERIALS)
An MTA -In must be completed when a UTHealth Houston PI has requested materials or data from another entity. Typically, the providing entity will provide its own MTA template for UTHealth Houston’s review and execution. An MTA-Out must be completed when a UTHealth Houston PI desires to send materials or data to a researcher at another entity. In these instances, a UTHealth Houston MTA template will be sent to the receiving entity for review and execution. UTHealth Houston may choose to utilize its own MTA template, or, for material transfers, it may choose to utilize a Uniform Biological Materials Transfer Agreement (UBMTA), if appropriate.

What if Equipment is Needed?

If a UTHealth Houston PI and/or the department needs to procure equipment, UTHealth Houston PI and/or the department should contact the UTHealth Houston Supply Chain Management

[email protected] for <$15K

[email protected] for >$15K

If Equipment is being loaned to complete a research project, the agreement can sometimes be treated as a type of material transfer agreement. Reach out to your contracts specialist with questions.

PROCESS

If a UTHealth Houston PI has requested material to be transferred to him/her from another entity or another entity has requested material to be transferred from the UTHealth Houston PI, the PI or department administrator will submit an MTA request in UT START using the instructions below. SPA will negotiate the legal terms and conditions of the MTA with the other entity and notify the PI and department when the MTA is complete.

DEPARTMENT TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Submit scope of work/protocol to the appropriate research regulatory committees for review, if applicable
  2. Submit an MTA request in UT START using the instructions below.
  3. If the other entity is not listed in UT START, submit a Sponsor/Subcontractor Request Form to [email protected].

How to submit the MTA request in UT START:

  1. Login to START Login
  2. Navigate to the Agreements Module
  3. Select “Material Transfer” agreement type (Click here to see)
  4. Fill out intake form (Transfer e-form tab), and press “Submit” once complete. If you receive an agreement draft from the other entity, you may upload the document in the Transfer e-Form or under the separate “Attachments” tab (Click here to see)

 **Please note that pressing “Submit” is essential for SPA to receive the request**

If you have any additional questions about MTAs or submission process, please reach out to [email protected]

SPA TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Negotiate legal terms of the agreement with the other entity on behalf of the PI and UTHealth Houston.
  2. Route the final agreement for review, approval, and signature, as applicable, to the PI and an authorized signatory for UTHealth Houston.
  3. Confirm agreement has been fully executed, all appropriate documentation has been received, all applicable compliance elements have been obtained, etc.
  4. Update the status of the agreement record to “Fully Executed” in UT START