The transfer document is a legal agreement with terms and conditions for the use of the shared research materials/tools. The investigator and those in his/her laboratory who will use the materials/tools are responsible for adhering to those terms and conditions. All users should review the transfer document from time to time to remain familiar with any restrictions.
The UAB investigator who is providing the material(s) is responsible for packaging and arranging shipment of the material(s).
If a negotiated (final) transfer document is sent to the investigator rather than to the MTO, the document should be forwarded to the MTO so the record can be placed in the correct status.
If the materials/tools being requested are provided prior to finalization of transfer documents, notify the MTO so that the record can be updated to reflect the correct status.
- The Federal Government has established the following Principles for disseminating unique biomedical research resources that are not commercially available while respecting the intellectual property interests of the developers.
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Ensure academic freedom and publication
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Ensure appropriate implementation of the Bayh-Dole Act (35 USC 200 et seq)
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Minimize administrative impediments to academic research
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Ensure dissemination of research resources developed with NIH funds.
- The research resources described are tangible research tools and materials used in the laboratory and are provided at either no cost or with a request to reimburse expenses associated with packaging, shipment, storage, maintenance, etc.
- Although specifically applicable to research tools/materials developed or used with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), UAB applies these principles, to the limits possible, to obtaining and disseminating tools/materials regardless of source including commercial sources.
- Sharing Biomedical Research Resources: Principles an Guidelines for Recipients of NIH Research Grants and Contracts http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1999-12-23/pdf/99-33292.pdf
When you wish to receive tangible research materials from or send such materials to an external entity, you should work through the Material Transfer Office (MTO) to arrange a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA). The agreement addresses ownership of the transferred materials or research tools as well as any modifications or derivatives. The agreement also addresses limitations on the use of the material, confidentiality of information related to the materials, liability, publication rights, rights to inventions and research results, and other conditions of receipt or use.
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Tangible research materials include
- Cultures
- Cell lines
- Plasmids
- Nucleotides
- Proteins
- Bacteria
- Animal models
- Pharmaceuticals
- Other Chemicals
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Intangible research materials include
Data and software are generally transferred under data use or confidentiality agreements and are processed by UAB’s Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), unless the transfer involves materials covered by an Intellectual Property Disclosure (IPD) that has been filed with the UAB Research Foundation (UABRF).
The MTO will process terms and conditions for the use of data to the extent they are included in the MTA but does not negotiate/process stand-alone data use agreements.
Additional information about transferring materials including how the MTO processes transfer requests, your responsibilities as the sender or recipient of such materials, using the Integrated Research Administration Portal (IRAP), and tracking the status of request are available from the links on the left of this page.
Research materials/tools may be sent to or received from investigators at academic institutions, non-profit organizations, or for-profit companies. Any of these arrangements may require negotiation by the MTO.
Sending Research Materials
The MTO will complete the appropriate transfer document (i.e., agreement, record of transfer, etc.) based on the information provided in the submission package. If additional information or clarification is required the MTO will contact you directly.
Receiving Research Materials
You should request that the provider send to you the transfer document (agreement template, Uniform Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) Implementing Letter, or Simple Letter Agreement (SLA)), preferably in an editable Word format. Fill in your contact information, description of research use and material(s), quantity, etc. Upload the partially completed document as part of the MTO submission package in IRAP. The MTO will complete the rest of the form, including the official name of the receiving organization.
Note that use of the UBMTA Implementing Letter or SLA can minimize the need to negotiate terms and, thus, speed processing!
Follow the following steps to create a submission package to the Material Transfer Office (MTO). The submission package will include a completed electronic request form and relevant supporting documents. In addition, forward any email correspondence with your contact(s) at the other entity that you have had preliminary to request.
Step 1 |
Access IRAP from the UAB Administrative Systems page. |
Step 2 | Log into IRAP using your Blazer ID and password. |
Step 3 | Click the My Technology Transfer bar on the left of the portal page. |
Step 4 | Click the Materials Transfers hyperlink in the options that appear. |
Step 5 |
Choose the Type of Material Transfer Request:
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Step 6 | Click Create. |
Step 7 | Follow the instructions on the submission package that appears to access the electronic request form. Help is available throughout the form as hyperlinks and mouse-overs. This is a “smart” form and the questions displayed are contingent on your response to previous questions. Therefore, answer questions in the order in which they are presented. |
Step 8 | Check that you have answered all relevant questions, especially those that have an asterisk identifying them as mandatory. |
Step 9 | Click Done to close the form and return to the submission package. |
Step 10 | Attach (upload) any relevant supporting documents. |
Step 11 | Click Submit to send the package to the MTO. |
Step 12 |
Forward any supporting emails to |