Partnership Policies

AHRQ recognizes the importance of sharing information to help partners meet their organizational goals, while educating members about the research and helping health care professionals, patients, and decisionmakers make informed decisions using evidence-based research.

The following guidance applies to all partnership efforts—

Partnership with AHRQ does not imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, AHRQ, or any other Federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

AHRQ does not endorse public or private sector organizations in connection with the EHC Program’s National Partnership Network nor the products, services, or activities of such organizations. This includes any commercial interests of partners.

• Any use of AHRQ or affiliated program names is not permitted for commercial interests.
• Any use of AHRQ or affiliated program logos on any Web site or product must be approved in writing by AHRQ prior to use.
• AHRQ and affiliated program logos, products, and/or National Partnership Network materials cannot be positioned next to commercial logos or links.

Most Effective Health Care Program materials published by AHRQ, including the materials themselves (e.g., brochures, reports) and the information contained within the materials, are considered to be in the public domain and can be used by partners in their communications channels to increase awareness about comparative effectiveness research and available tools and resources. In some cases, material is copyrighted and is not in the public domain. Copyrighted content is clearly marked. Use of content copyrighted by others must be approved by the copyright holder.

Written agreement determination—

• Partnerships in which resources are exchanged (e.g., Web conferences to reach membership) and materials are cobranded will require a written partnership agreement.
• Requests to reprint copies of Effective Health Care Program publications for members will require a reprint partnership agreement.
• This agreement will address any cobranding, customization guidance, and approvals needed.
• Partnerships in which materials and information in the public domain are disseminated by a partner organization do not require a partnership agreement. However, AHRQ requests that established partners attribute the information to AHRQ and tell the Agency about their plans.