Material Transfer Agreements

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a legally binding contract which is required if you intend to transfer tangible research materials between two organisations. An MTA ensures that the provider of the materials is recognised as the legal owner and that the intellectual property rights of both parties are protected. Examples of materials which may require an agreement are: biological materials, cultures, anti-bodies, chemical compounds and even some types of software.
The contracts team have the following procedures for reviewing and drafting MTAs:

Incoming MTA (the University is the recipient)

If you are planning to receive incoming materials from outside of the University, the external organisation should provide a MTA to allow the University to consent to the terms of the agreement. Often the provider will not supply the materials until these terms have been accepted. If you receive an MTA, do not sign it yourself. It must be authorised by the contracts team on behalf of the University. Please complete the form below and send it to the contracts team.

Incoming Material Transfer Agreements Checklist Form

If you are a member of Staff and need an MTA for materials coming into the University then please complete the following form: Incoming MTA Checklist Updated August 2023‌

If you have any questions or queries please do not hestiate to get in contact with legalservices@exeter.ac.uk 

Once you have completed your form, please send to legalservices@exeter.ac.uk and a member of the team will be in touch with you. 

Outgoing MTA (the University is the provider)

If you are planning to supply materials to an external party a written MTA is essential. Please complete the form below and send it to the contracts team. We will prepare the most suitable form of MTA.

Outgoing Material Transfer Checklist 

If you are a member of Staff and need an MTA for materials leaving the University then please complete the following form: Outgoing MTA Checklist updated August 2023‌

If you have any questions or queries please do not hestiate to get in contact with legalservices@exeter.ac.uk 

Once you have completed your form, please send to legalservices@exeter.ac.uk and a member of the team will be in touch with you.