Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
Office of Research and Innovation
University of Louisville
Louisville, Ky. 40202
502.852.6512, 502.852.2594 (Fax)
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Non-Funded Agreements
Some research-related agreements with outside entities don't include funding, but still must go through the standard institutional reviews, negotiation and approvals. These are called 'non-funded agreements,' and include things like material transfer and non-disclosure agreements.
While they don't come with funding, these agreements are critical to how we interact with partners outside the university, and they are increasingly common. At UofL, these agreements are typically handled by the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration and UofL Commercialization and Innovation, depending on the type and context of the agreement.
Examples of non-funded agreements include:
A material transfer agreement (MTA) is the contractual instrument used to define the terms and conditions for the exchange of materials, such as cell lines, proteins and plant varieties. An MTA typically sets forth rights to use the materials and may allocate rights that result from their use. Learn more about MTAs at UofL here
Nondisclosure Agreements (NDA) allow companies and researchers to discuss and share business and technical information, such as unpublished data, unpatented technologies or research plans, without fear that the information will be disseminated. Learn more about NDAs at UofL here.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) often referred to as a “Letter of Understanding,” “Collaboration Agreement,” “Memorandum of Agreement,” and is a non-binding agreement that outlines each party's intentions to work together or outlines the anticipated roles and responsibilities of a potential future, legally binding contract. MOUs are distinct in that they do not create a legal obligation on either of the parties to the agreement to act or provide resources. MOUs are often used either in cases where parties do not intend to create a legal contract or commitment. MOUs are not agreements that create a specific commitment to act by the university or require the university to pay money. Learn more about Memorandums of Understanding here.
A Data Use Agreement (DUA) is a contract used for the transfer of non-public data that is subject to restrictions on its use. DUAs cover the details of the exchange and the level of protections necessary to secure the data. They are often required in research projects that involve the transfer of personal or clinical data, regardless of whether the data is fully identifiable or not. Learn more about Data Use Agreements here.
