Use of ARPA-H logo by private sector partners, contractors, awardees, and vendors

General Information

“Seals and devices of the Federal Government, Departments, Bureaus, and Independent Agencies are not in the public domain, and cannot be used for other than official business without specific authorization of the agency involved.”
— Joint Committee on Printing, U.S. Congress; emphasis added.

The ARPA-H logo is for the official use of the agency and not for the use of the private sector on its materials. To the public, such use would send a message that the agency favors or endorses an organization and/or its activities, its products, its services, and/or its personnel (either overtly or tacitly), which it does not and cannot do.

Regardless of how funded, non-ARPA-H communication products are for the principal benefit and use of the partner/awardee/vendor/contractor and not for the principal benefit or use of the Government. It is not a factor whether the private sector partner/awardee/vendor/contractor is non-profit or commercial. Non-ARPA-H communication products are not construed to be Government communication products.

Scientific Posters or Presentations

Scientific posters and podium presentations at scientific meetings are the only instances where non-Federal entities may use the ARPA-H logo without further approval. The ARPA-H logo may not be used by partners/awardees/contractors on websites, meeting registrations, social media accounts or other print materials. These cannot be used to state or imply support of the person or entity, only note funding or other participation in that work.

Use on Proposals or Consulting Deliverables

Contractors may not use the ARPA-H logo or mark on proposals or consulting deliverables.

Publications Developed by Contractors

If a contractor deliverable is camera-ready or other reproducible copy, for the express purpose of being an ARPA-H publication for ARPA-H distribution to the public; then, and only then, may the contractor affix the ARPA-H logo, under the direction and guidance of the ARPA-H communications office (web@arpa-h.gov).

Private Sector or Contractor Logos on Government Publications

ARPA-H components may not use private sector or contractor logos on Government publications or other Government communication products. Such use is prohibited. Whether or not the private sector organization is non-profit or commercial is not a factor.

Private sector logos constitute institutional advertising. Using a private sector logo on a Government communication product (regardless of intent) implies that the Government favors or endorses all that which the logo represents.

Section 13 of the Government Printing and Binding Regulations, published by the Joint Committee on Printing, U.S. Congress, makes clear:

“No Government publication or other Government printed matter, prepared or produced with either appropriated or non-appropriated funds or identified with an activity of the Government, shall contain any advertisement inserted by or for any private individual, firm, or corporation; or contain material which implies in any manner that the Government endorses or favors any specific commercial product, commodity, or service.”