This agreement is used to authorize and document a formal transfer or sharing of research data from a provider institution to a recipient institution, for use in a research project at the recipient institution. Research data can be multiple different types (such as de‐identified human subjects data, a limited data set, and personally identifiable information under HIPAA and FERPA).

 When research data is subject to federal and institutional regulatory requirements for research activities involving human subjects, live vertebrate animals, and recombinant DNA, the Office of Regulatory Services (RS) as applicable will assist with process of applicable research approvals through the Institutional Review Board (IRB – Human Subjects), Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC – Animal Subjects), and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC – recombinant DNA).

A data sharing agreement will be prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research or Director, Office of Grants and Contracts). From time to time, there will be RS input, and faculty may also be asked to sign to approve content or acknowledge responsibility to comply with customary data stewardship obligations and UTA-specific, internal information security standards.

 The Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) is a cooperative initiative among federal funding agencies and universities such as UTA who are recipients of federal funds, and works to reduce the administrative burdens associated with research grants and contracts. The FDP has created a Data Transfer and Use Agreement (DTUA) template, with flexible attachments and associated guidance as to when and how to use. Click here for more information on the FDP DTUA. Click here for a helpful glossary of terms. Click here to access a chart designed to provide guidance on when and how to use the FDP DTUA Template. Click here to access a tool designed to streamline review of the type of human subject data for the purpose of classification for a DTUA. Click here for guidance on selecting the most appropriate version of Attachment 2 when providing or receiving data via the FDP DTUA.

 Some institutions may elect not to participate with the FDP format, or the data exchange may need additional terms to be effective, such as for a funded subaward. In those cases, review by Agreement Management in connection with applicable Research Administration resources will occur.

 For fellow UT System member instuitions, we have a master agreement as a single, simple option to exchange both data and materials. Many UT System member faculty have asked for a combined UT System Master Material Transfer Agreement that includes Data. See the forms below, for a final Amended and Restated Master Material and Data Transfer Agreement (Master MDTA) for all 14 UT System Institutions, and an interactive PDF file, to implement the Master Agreement, that replaces the former Implementing Letter, and promises to be easier to use. The Office of Regulatory Services (RS) as applicable will assist.

Forms, click here: Transfer-form-updated-100518 - JTR20190201; execution copy Amended and Restated Master Material and Data Transfer Ag for All UT Sys.

As its name suggests, this agreement covers a loan of specific equipment to or from or involving UT Arlington.

Sometimes, this agreement is designed to be used when an outside entity or equipment supplier wishes to loan equipment to the University at no cost for research purposes.  

Sometimes, this agreement is designed to be used when an outside entity wishes to borrow equipment from the University. 

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research). For projects NOT involving sponsored research, typically Asset Management acts independently.

Process flowchart, click here or download agreement process flowchart image.doc.

Template forms, click here: blank UTA Revocable License Equip Loan Agmt.doc; equipment donation and use MOU.doc.

This agreement is specifically drafted for use by UT Arlington departments and colleges to permit sponsors to pay to use University facilities for their own use or as part of a defined grant or sponsorship. This agreement is NOT needed for a general visit, or a single, “one-off” activity.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and approved by a department chair minimally (sometimes a department requires other approvals also, such as its dean), and ultimately signed by Office of Campus Operations (John Hall)

Process flowchart, click here or download agreement process flowchart image.doc.

Template form, click here: Facilities and Equipment Use Agreement UTA private company with own equipment.

To read more, and for a summary of our Facilities Use Program Description and Goals, click here.

A License Agreement is used for an outside party to pay royalties and expenses to UT Arlington to commercialize UT Arlington proprietary technology, nearly always patented or patent pending, but which agreement can include the license of trade secrets and know-how.

Prepared by Innovation and Commercialization, approved as to content by responsible faculty member and authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research), and ultimately signed by the University President.

This agreement is for use by the Provost and other departments involved in a research project, when entering into an agreement for non-binding affiliations with outside parties such as fellow educational institutions or prospective research partners and sponsors. 

Process flowchart, click here or download agreement process flowchart image.doc.

Affiliation Agreement for Academic Programs

This non-binding agreement is for use by faculty through the Provost when entering into an academic affiliation with a private entity or a domestic US institution, and through the Provost and Office of International Education when entering into an academic affiliation with a foreign institution.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by University authorized official, typically the President or Provost, or from time to time, Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research). Sometimes, if and as department resources will be used, we will ask for acknowledgment and approval by a department chair. Depending on the department, sometimes a department requires other approvals also, such as its dean.

Collaboration Agreement

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by University authorized official, often the President or Provost for unfunded affiliations, or from time to time, Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research) for anticipated but not yet awarded or funded projects.

Template forms, Generic MOU template no funds joint activities.docx; UTA Affiliation Agreement with Foreign Institution on Academic Programs.doc; Cooperation Agreement unfunded between third party and UTA.docx; UTA based on private DFWHCF entity Educational Experience Program Agreement.doc; UTA based on public entity Educational Experience Program Agreement.doc.

Materials Transfer Agreements (MTAs) are used for exchanging (both incoming and outgoing) research materials between faculty at UT Arlington and faculty or individuals with other research or educational institutions, commercial companies, prospective sponsors and the like.  MTAs describe the terms under which UT Arlington researchers and outside researchers can share materials, typically for research or evaluation purposes.

Intellectual property rights can be put at risk of loss if materials are used without a proper MTA.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and for technology transfer by Innovation and Commercialization, approved by faculty member as to content, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research).

MTA types:

Uniform Biological MTA (UBMTA)

For incoming or outgoing transfers between institutions that are signatories to the UBMTA . UT Arlington is a signatory to the UBMTA and we encourage this form to be used between academic institutions whenever applicable.

Template forms, UTA UBMTA Master.doc and UBMTA Implementing Letter.doc.

Outgoing MTA template for transfers to Non-Profit Organizations
For outgoing transfers to Non-Profit/academic institutions where there are concerns regarding intellectual property ownership of the outgoing University material.

Template forms, MTA UTA Non-Profit outgoing.doc.

Outgoing MTA template for transfers to For-Profit Organizations
For outgoing transfers to for-profit/commercial entities.

Template forms, MTA UTA For-Profit outgoing.doc.

For ATCC ordering process details click here.

FAQs: click here

Used for the exchange of confidential information, a Non-Disclosure Agreement, also sometimes called a Confidential Disclosure Agreement, Proprietary Information Agreement, or Secrecy Agreement, is a contract which defines and describes information to be shared between or among the parties for specific purposes, such as evaluation for a potential project or to submit a research proposal, and in which the parties agree to restrict the usage and additional disclosure of the shared information.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, approved as to content by responsible faculty member, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research).

Process flowchart, click here or download agreement process flowchart image.doc.

Template forms: Template MUTUAL NDA UTA and third party.docx; One way University Receiving NDA.docx; One way with Attachment A University Disclosing NDA.docx.

FAQs: click here

Typical Sponsored Research Agreements describe the terms under which sponsors provide paid research support to UT Arlington, for original, creative research.  The funding provision is suitable for use as either a fixed price or a cost-reimbursement basis. 

More details and an industry guide, click here

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research and Innovation or Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation).

Process flowchart, click here or download agreement process flowchart image.doc.

Template form: template SRA with billing address reminder and Attachment A.doc

FAQs: click here

From time to time, certain specialized research agreements may be used by which UTA faculty accept responsibility for students to engage in degree-related study and/or companion work experience, with an industry sponsor. See below category “Student Agreements”.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, approved by faculty member as to content and commitment to oversight and participation, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research and Innovation or Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation). 

For testing and services projects using unique or special University facilities, but not including work for original, creative research, this agreement is suited for use where the University anticipates no intellectual property (such as inventions) or copyright, and intends to make no claim of ownership in data or other results generated, and there is no academic publication expected.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research and Innovation or Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation).

Template forms: Contract for Sponsored Services Fixed Price with Attachment A.docx; Contract for Sponsored Services Fixed Price confidentiality publication and IP expected with Attachment A.docx.

 

UTA prides itself on project based experience as an important theme in the learning process and education of its students. To enable this pedagogical model, the University invites industry and other sponsors to participate in certain types of projects with scope derived from real life challenges, problems and concerns, that a sponsor has interest in addressing or even solving.

The foundation of the Graduate Student Agreement (GRA) is based on the ideal that a UTA student would be working at and directed by the sponsor at their facilities, and include and benefit from relevant educational experience. UTA faculty accept responsibility for a graduate student to engage in degree-related study and companion work experience, on a part-time basis, with an industry sponsor. The program puts students to work, over one or more academic semesters, in conjunction with an appropriate companion academic course load. Sponsors pay a mutually agreed sum to UTA, and UTA pays its students and commits for periodic faculty oversight to ensure academically appropriate activity, associated with students having an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a research or commercial environment. Typically, disclosure of sensitive, confidential information to University or to a student is not required nor anticipated.

On-campus work may be more suited to other concepts and templates. For example, a sponsor at its discretion, may support specific on campus coursework projects, such as Senior Design or Capstone courses. A sponsor may submit one or more problems of interest, proposed project specific deliverables, and one or more mentors that would be available through the duration of each coursework project. Sponsor may provide monetary resources, or loan certain tools, software, etc. necessary for successful completion. At the conclusion of each coursework project, Sponsor will receive student output, subject to educational use and prior student agreement. Similar to a GRA, typically, disclosure of sensitive, confidential sponsor information or IP to University or to a student is not required nor anticipated.

If a project invites a greater role of UTA faculty or UTA intellectual property, or to be conducted on UTA campus with specific dedicated UTA resources, a different expectation would be established. Other templates may be appropriate, such as a sponsored services template, where using unique UTA resources but we can adjust options on IP expected or publication, or a sponsored research (SRA) for inventive efforts and publication options.

Used to perform a part of a project directly related to the furtherance (enhancement) of the scope of work of a sponsored project primarily awarded to the University, but entered into with another entity for the performance of work. UTA can also receive a subcontract or award from an outside entity, such as another university or a private company.

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research).

Template forms:

For an FDP Subaward (eligible to use the FDP if the prime sponsor is NSF, NIH, ONR, DOE, USDA, AFOSR, ARO, AMRMC, NASA or EPA), we may be able to streamline the subcontracting process by using the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) agreement. (Learn more about the FDP).

Prepared for research projects by Agreement Management, and ultimately signed by an authorized official from Research Administration (Vice President for Research or Assistant Vice President for Research).