Submitting an Agreement for Review
MSU Technologies (MSUT) supports MSU researchers by reviewing and executing research‑related agreements and negotiating terms on your behalf. Our role is to help ensure agreements support your research needs while complying with university and federal requirements.
Review and execution of your agreement by MSUT ensures that the agreement matches the needs of both you as an MSU researcher and is in compliance with MSU policies. We will negotiate on your behalf to be sure that any unfavorable terms are improved.
All requests to review Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs/NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Data Use Agreements (DUAs) must be submitted through the MSUT Agreement Portal.
Agreement Portal instructions can be found here.
If you have questions at any point in the process, the MSUT agreement team is available to help. Our coordinators can help determine the appropriate agreement type, clarify submission requirements, and answer questions throughout the review process.
MSUT Agreement Portal
The MSUT Agreement Portal will guide you through the correct submission, but the most common agreement types include:
- Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs / NDAs) – Used when sharing confidential information with an external party
- Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) – Used when sending or receiving physical research materials
- Data Use Agreements (DUAs) – Used when sharing or receiving research data
Henry Ford + MSU Master Transfer Agreements Portal
Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University maintain master Material Transfer and Data Use Agreements to support collaborative work across our organizations. These master agreements simplify the exchange of common research materials and data by outlining shared terms in advance, reducing administrative steps, shortening turnaround times, and allowing investigators to focus on their research rather than paperwork.
What Agreement Do I Need?
Confidential Disclosure Agreement (CDA / NDA)
A Confidential Disclosure Agreement (also called a Non‑Disclosure Agreement) is used when MSU and an external party share confidential information for discussion purposes. This may include early‑stage research ideas, unpublished findings, proprietary information, or planning information related to potential collaborations, sponsored research, or licensing conversations. CDAs protect confidential information but do not allow the transfer of materials or data for research use.
Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)
A Material Transfer Agreement is required when physical research materials—such as biological samples, chemical compounds, prototypes, or other tangible materials—are sent to or received from an external organization. MTAs define how materials may be used, who owns them, and what happens to any discoveries that result from their use. These agreements support research collaboration while protecting MSU’s intellectual property and research interests.
Data Use Agreement (DUA)
A Data Use Agreement governs the sharing or receipt of research data between MSU and an external entity. DUAs specify how data may be accessed, used, stored, and protected, and often include detailed data security and compliance requirements. These agreements are commonly used for collaborative research, access to external datasets, or sharing data with research partners, and may require additional review when sensitive or regulated data is involved.
Henry Ford + MSU Master Transfer Agreements
Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University maintain master Material Transfer and Data Use Agreements to support collaborative research between our institutions. These master agreements establish shared terms in advance for common transfers of materials and data developed at each institution, reducing administrative steps and turnaround time so investigators can focus on their research.
What to Expect
Once your agreement request is submitted through the MSUT Agreement Portal, it enters a review process designed to protect you, MSU, and any external partners.
Timing and Approvals
The review, approval, and execution of Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs/NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Data Use Agreements (DUAs) typically takes at least two to three weeks.
Delays in execution will occur if the Agreement Portal questionnaire is not fully completed and/or the other party is slow to respond.
We strongly recommend submitting your request as early as possible.
Due to stricter federal requirements, your agreement may also require additional approvals from other MSU units (such as Export Control). Submitting early helps ensure your agreement is fully executed by your intended deadline.
Additional Reviews That May Be Required
Some agreements require review by other MSU units depending on their content. These reviews are applied only when specific conditions are met.
- IT Security & Cybersecurity
Agreements that include detailed IT security or cybersecurity requirements may be referred to MSU’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) unit.GRC reviews these requirements to confirm that MSU can comply and may contact the researcher for clarification. - Export Control Reviews
Certain agreements may require export control review to ensure compliance with federal regulations. This additional review can affect overall processing time. - Purchasing and Fees
If the agreement includes substantial fees (beyond preparation or shipping) or is related to a potential purchase, you will likely need to submit a Purchase Order request to University Procurement and Logistics. In these cases, Procurement will execute the agreement. - Human Data or Materials
If you are providing human data or human materials to an external institution, your submission must include the informed consent protocol and MSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) determination letter.