Resources
Information You Should Have Ready
Before submitting a request through the Hermes Portal, please review the information below. Being prepared helps ensure your agreement is routed efficiently and reviewed without delays. Please have the following available:
- Purpose of the agreement
If the request involves a non-research NDA, see the section below on where to direct it. - Principal Investigator (PI)
Include the full name of the MIT PI overseeing the work. - Counterparty contact information
Provide the organization’s name, mailing address, and a contact person’s name and email. This may be a company, data provider, or material provider. - Deadlines and key dates
Indicate any relevant deadlines, meetings, or milestones that affect timing. - Additional context
Share any background information that would help the Hermes team understand the request’s scope and urgency. - Documents
Upload any draft agreements or other relevant materials received from the counterparty.
Using the Hermes Portal
- Access credentials
MIT Kerberos credentials are required to access the portal. - Save as you go
You do not need to complete the submission in one sitting. You may save and return later. Please avoid starting a second submission for the same agreement. - Upload documents
Attach any draft agreements or correspondence as part of your submission. - Authorized signers only
Only designated signatories may execute agreements on behalf of MIT. Do not sign any documents yourself. - PI dashboard
The portal allows PIs and their administrative delegates to view the status of active submissions. The dashboard also shows the Hermes team member assigned to the request and provides access to finalized, executed agreements. - Technical support
If you experience issues with the portal, try clearing your browser cookies or using an alternate browser. For assistance, contact: hermes-team@mit.edu
Determining the Purpose of a Confidentiality Agreement
Not all NDAs should be submitted through Hermes. Please follow this guidance based on the purpose of the agreement:
Non-research NDAs for purchases or services
If your NDA relates to equipment, materials, consulting, or other services unrelated to research, contact the VPF Contracts team: vpf-contracts@mit.edu
Staff directory: https://vpf.mit.edu/staff/2017NDAs for licensing MIT technologies
If your NDA supports a potential license to an external entity (such as a company or startup) and is not related to research, please contact the Technology Licensing Office (TLO). You may reach out to your licensing officer or to Caroline Basque.If the purpose is unclear or involves both research and non-research elements
Submit through Hermes. The Hermes team will coordinate with colleagues across relevant offices to ensure the request is properly reviewed and signed.
Sharing Confidential Information
Unpublished research data, lab activities, and early-stage results should be considered confidential. Before sharing this information externally, consider whether an invention disclosure should be submitted.
Even when an NDA is in place, submitting a disclosure can help protect MIT’s intellectual property.
Submit a disclosure to the TLO: https://tlo.mit.edu/researchers-mit-community/protect/submit-disclosure
Resources and Support
OSATT FAQs: https://osatt.mit.edu/about/faq
Data Use Agreements – Coming Soon
MTA Guidance – Coming Soon
COUHES: https://couhes.mit.edu/
IS&T: https://ist.mit.edu/
Questions? Email hermes-team@mit.edu