Common responsibilities of the Yale Principal Investigator related to the use of material received via a MTA

NOTE: Yale University policy requires that only faculty with the rank of Associate Research Scientist or higher may receive materials via an MTA. If you are not at this rank, please consult your faculty advisor and have him/her request the MTA.

You do NOT own materials received under a MTA. The MTA is a legal agreement that allows you to use the materials only under certain conditions. If Yale signs the MTA, you and your lab are obligated to abide by the terms stated in the MTA. The terms often include, but are not limited to, these obligations:

1. Not sharing the material outside of your laboratory, even with others at Yale;
2. Providing a copy of any manuscript, abstract, oral presentation, or other public disclosure to the Provider, usually thirty (30) days prior to any public disclosure;
3. Providing research reports to the provider;
4. Using the material only for the described research project;
5. Acknowledging the Provider and Provider scientist as requested and as scientifically appropriate;
6. Reporting any discoveries or inventions to Yale's Office of Cooperative Research;
7. Abiding by the allowed length of time for use of the material, if the MTA has an expiration date;
8. Either destroying or returning any unused materials after your research is complete or when the MTA expires;
9. Maintaining the confidentiality of the material and any provided information.

If you have any questions about these or other obligations at any time, please contact the MTA staff.