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Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are legally binding contracts between providers of materials and the recipients of those materials. They detail everything from the cost of receiving the materials, what may and may not be done using the materials, and who owns any intellectual property arising from the use of the materials. The terms of each agreement commit the University to a course of action (or inaction). Therefore, it is essential that all MTAs are reviewed by a professional and signed by a designated official with signatory authority.

Before sharing proprietary or confidential information with an investor, industry representative or other entity, we recommend innovators have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). This document, also known as a confidential disclosure agreement (CDA), specifies how recipients will protect and use the confidential information.

CDAs can be unilateral (one party disclosing confidential information) or mutual/multilateral, meaning they cover confidential information disclosed by more than one party.

MTAs and CDAs Process

At the University of Rochester, MTAs and CDAs are processed through the Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA).

Please forward any requests — along with an appropriate checklist — to ORPA.

ORPA Website