To Request Materials from NIDCR
Step (1): Pick the Agreement. Identify the agreement needed for the transfer (see below). If you are not sure which agreement to use, contact our office. If you can not use our standard agreements, see "How to Send your Proposed Modifications" below.
Step (2): Fill in the Agreement. Download the Agreement to your computer. Review the instructions on the last page. Fill in the information needed to complete the agreement and save the file.
Step (3): Get an ID#. Send the word file of the agreement to our office by email. (See the instructions located on the last page of the agreement.) We will review the agreement and generate an identification number (ID#). Please WAIT for the ID#. One of the reasons we ask for the word file is so we can correct any errors before the agreement is mailed. This helps avoid delays in processing.
Step (4): Mail the Hardcopy. Print out two copies and have them signed. NIDCR requires original signatures, so the agreement needs to be mailed to us. Make sure the MTA ID# is on the bottom, right corner of the first page. We suggest you use certified mail/return receipt or a courier (e.g., FEDEX, UPS, DHL) to mail both copies to our office.
Material Transfer Agreements and When they are Used:
SLA
Use the Simple Letter Agreement (SLA) when requesting monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, cDNA clones, plasmids, or cell lines. This is the most common transfer agreement used by NIDCR.
SLA with Research Plan
This SLA is modified to include a research plan in an addendum. Please submit this agreement when requesting antiserum.
PHS MTA
The PHS Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is sometimes used when confidentiality terms are needed, e.g., when a patent application is underway or research is not yet published.
MTA-TO
The Material Transfer Agreement for the Transfer of Organisms (MTA-TO) should be used to exchange genetically modified organisms, typically transgenic mice.
For live animals, NIDCR also requires an Animal Transfer Agreement (ATA) with our Veterinary Resources Core (contact NIDCR's Animal Shipping Coordinator for more information). IMPORTANT: In order to receive any animal, a request for shipment must be initiated by the laboratory (i.e., the providing scientist) to the Veterinary Resources Core. Before executing the MTA and ATA, check with your veterinarian staff to ensure they will be able to accept the animal into your facility.
For transfers of frozen embryos, the MTA-TO should be used but the ATA is not applicable. See:
UBMTA
The Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) was adopted by many institutions in order to facilitate exchange of materials. The UBMTA implementing letter is used to record the use of the UBMTA. This agreement is rarely used now but is sometimes useful if both parties are signers of the UBMTA agreement. A list of the current signatories to the March 8, 1995 master UBMTA is available on the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) website.
Projects Involving HUMAN SUBJECTS
If you are transferring Human tissues or are planning research using materials of Human Origin, please contact us by email for further instructions.
CTA
Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA) are used when studies will be conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of new agents and devices. The NIDCR CTA is used for clinical trials conducted at NIDCR.
Commercial Requests
Other types of agreements (e.g., material and commercial evaluation licenses) are usually required for material exchanges with for-profit companies. Please contact our office for more information.
How to Send your Proposed Modifications
Propose Modifications by using the the "Track Changes" feature on your word processor to alter our standard agreements. The standard agreements which are most commonly modified are available here: SLA, PHS-MTA, MTA-TO BLDG 30. Fill in all the information in the agreement so we know the details of the transfer. Send the file to our office for review.
Additional Resources