Material Transfer Agreements

Researchers should contact The University of Iowa Research Foundation (UIRF) prior to supplying third parties with material(s) developed at The University of Iowa for the preparation of an outgoing Material Transfer Agreement. In some cases, a fee may be included in these transactions as warranted by the nature of the material(s) and the purpose of the transaction.

Shipping

When packages containing dry ice or infectious substances are shipped off campus, they are classified as “Dangerous Goods” and must be shipped according to federal agency regulations.  It is the responsibility of the shipper to follow all required regulations. 

The Environmental Health and Safety Office's Shipping Infectious Substances Program is designed to assist researchers in meeting all of the required regulations when shipping Division 6.2 – Infectious Substances.

Customs officials require permits for certain infectious shipments crossing state and international borders. While the sender is responsible for obtaining any required export permits, the receiver (consignee) must obtain the required import permits. An import permit may be required to deliver a package even if a permit is not required by the sender. All shipments entering the United States are processed by the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.

Please check with the applicable governmental agency prior to shipment/receiving your material: USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS), CDC, or the Department of Commerce Bureau of Export Administration.

Are training and resources available?

The Environmental Health and Safety Office's course entitled "Shipping Infectious Substances with or without Dry Ice"  fulfills the training requirement, regardless if one ships by air or ground. 

Follow the instructions provided here to access the course online; registration will depend on the paid or non-paid status of the individual.

Shipping Infectious Substances – W009BO
This course is required initially and every two years, or with significant regulatory change. A record of the Employee Training and Certification for this course can be found in the Course Content of this training site. Audience: Individuals shipping dry ice, diagnostic specimens, and/or infectious material.

Additional training information is available on the Environmental Health and Safety Office's website.

For human subjects research, update the HawkIRB application:

• If the project will continue under another UI Principal Investigator, submit a Modification form to change the PI.
• If you will take data/specimens with you to your new institution, submit a Modification form to describe this in Section X.5 and Section X.6.
• If the project will NOT continue under another UI PI, submit a Project Close form.