Data Use Agreements or Material Transfer Agreement

What is a Data Use Agreement?

A Data Use Agreement (DUA) is a contractual document between a “Data User” (usually the investigator requesting access to information) and the “Data Set Source” (the organization or institution providing the data) to ensure compliance of the use of data in research and with restrictions on data sharing, and to outline data protection required by the data owner.

What Information is in a DUA?

The following information may be included on a DUA:

  1. What data will be released or shared
  2. Who has ownership of the data
  3. What, if any, identifiers will be included
  4. The purposes for which the data may be used
  5. With whom, if anyone, the data may be shared
  6. Requirements for data security and safeguards
  7. To whom violations of the agreement should be reported
  8. The time-based term of the agreement
  9. The disposition of the data at the end of the agreement
  10. Prohibition of re-identifying the data

Your institution may require more or less information on a DUA than what is listed above.

A DUA should be submitted with your study to the IRB.

What is Material Transfer Agreement?

Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) are documents used for the acquisition of various biological and research materials, and data without transferring ownership of the property. An MTA is used to ensure that materials sent to an investigator at another company or Institution will be used only for research purposes and will not be used for commercial purposes without the provider’s determination.

What Information is in a MTA?

The following information may be included on a MTA:

  1. A description and amount of the material to be received/outgoing
  2. Name of the provider/who is receiving the material
  3. Funding that will be using for the received material

Your Institution may require more or less information on a MTA than what is listed above.

A MTA should be submitted with your study to the IRB.

Who can Sign a DUA or MTA?

DUAs and MTAs are reviewed by the Institution. Institutions have to review the documents to verify they do not conflict with institution policies. Please refer to your local institution’s policy on the DUA or MTA process.