Requesting MTAs

Step 1. Submit an MTA Record

All material transfer agreements that involve sending or receiving tangible research materials must be submitted through Kuali Research. ADDGENE requests do not require a Kuali record. Use this link to take you to the Addgene Request Form

Providing incorrect or incomplete information may cause delays.

Step 2. MTA requests are routed to either OCGA or OIC depending on the type of request. 

Step 3. Negotiation time

The terms of an MTA must be developed and carefully negotiated to maintain our legal obligations as a public university, to ensure we follow UC policy in alignment with Principles Regarding Future Research Results. Negotiation time will vary based on:

• Sufficient and detailed information provided in the Kuali record
• Type of material being transferred
• Value and novelty of the material (e.g. "state-of-the-art" materials may include more restrictive terms)
• Complexity of the terms

Step 4. Execution of Agreement

Once negotiation is finalized the MTA will be signed by the authorized representatives. 

Only OCGA and OIC have the delegated authority to sign MTAs on behalf of UC San Diego.

If a PI is moving their lab, either to or from UC San Diego, and they plan to transfer tangible research materials, an MTA(s) will be required. Please contact the MTA Help Desk (MTAHelpDesk@ucsd.edu) as soon as possible for further instructions. This is necessary for the following:

• all parties are appropriately engaged in an effort to facilitate timely action.
• there is institutional knowledge of the transfers to address existing contract obligations.
• PI may continue using the materials at the new institution.

Contact MTAHelpDesk@ucsd.edu to start this process as soon as possible.

The Tsien Lab no longer sends out samples directly. All of the Tsien Lab constructs are available either commercially or through Addgene, to non-profit or academic institutions. For more information visit the Tsien Lab website.

All MTAs for Tsien Lab materials are handled by Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC). Email mta@ucsd.edu.

Addgene is a global, nonprofit repository that was created to help scientists share plasmids. To initiate a material transfer to receive plasmids from Addgene, follow the below steps. 

1. Place Addgene order. For more information go to Addgene Ordering Instructions.
   • Addgene sends the standard material transfer agreement to the MTA team automatically.
2. Submit a request to OCGA using the Addgene Request Form
3. OCGA will process your request in the order received.

For depositing plasmids into Addgene, contact OIC at mta@ucsd.edu. For other Addgene questions, contact MTAhelpdesk@ucsd.edu.

Requesting Reimbursements:

Reimbursements are not facilitated for outgoing transfer of human biological materials under an MTA.

For other types of material for which you would like to be reimbursed when sending out materials under an MTA, select “Yes” to the following MTA question:

"For UCSD developed or managed material, are there costs associated with the transfer that you would like reimbursed to your lab (excluding reimbursements for shipping)?" 

Reimbursement Cost versus Total Charges

The reimbursement amount requested by the UCSD investigator will differ from the total cost charged to the Recipient Institution. Total cost may include taxes and associated fees.

Be sure to contact the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) at mta@ucsd.edu for a comprehensive total cost to provide to the Recipient Institution.