Partners

We value our our community partnerships and show our support in many ways – it's important to identify our connection clearly.

Equal partnerships

When the university is presented in partnership with other organizations, it is important to understand the nature of the agreement. When there is an equal partnership, the university and partner logo(s) should be the same height, and the university logo should be placed on the left. The space between the logos should be equal to twice the width of the capital "A" in the university's logo. A 0.5pt black line can be placed between the logos, as shown below.

An example of the vertical University of Calgary logo with a equal partner logo

An example of the horizontal University of Calgary logo with an equal partner logo

UCalgary lead partner

When the university is in partnership with other organizations but is the lead of the initiative, the partner logos must be a maximum of 70 per cent of the vertical height of the university logo. Logos must be placed at the minimum allowable spacing referenced below. A single vertical line centred on the minimum clear space may be placed between the university logo and the others.

An example of a logo grouping when the university is the lead partner

In all partnerships, promotion and event materials should feature UCalgary colours, fonts and imagery guidelines. (Alone or in combination with partner branding) This includes:

Websites
Social media graphics
Ads
Posters and print materials
Pull-up banners
Swag
Etc.

This does not apply to events and initiatives where UCalgary is only a sponsor.

Questions? Contact brand@ucalgary.ca

Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute ad example

Example of an ad featuring a partnership between UCalgary and AHS using our brand.

UCalgary is home to or partner in numerous centres and institutes, many of which have become nodes of research excellence and achieved national or international prominence. Note: According to the university’s Research Centre and Institute policy, ‘institute’ and ‘centre’ are interchangeable terms. In conversation and written materials, ‘institute’ is often used to stand for both.

University institutes

University institutes exist entirely within the administrative structure of the university. They are multi-disciplinary, crossing the domains of multiple faculties and academic departments.

For example:

Faculty or department institutes

Faculty or department institutes exist within the bounds of a single faculty or department, though they sometimes explore cross-disciplinary connections. In some cases, they are named in such a way that they indicate a broader scope (e.g. ‘Calgary Centre…’ or ‘Canadian Centre’), but this does not necessarily formalize a mandate broader than that defined by the university.

For example: (note this list does not include all institutes)

Partnership institutes

Partnership institutes are constituted as formal partnerships with legal entities external to the university, including other universities, government agencies, and legally independent institutes.

In the case of the Cumming School of Medicine, for example, the core research institutes are a partnership between the Cumming School of Medicine and Alberta Health Services (Calgary Zone). These institutes encompass activities in all three areas of education, research and service to society and serve as the umbrella organization for research groups, ensuring high quality research programs span the continuum of bench to bedside. The institutes also contribute to the enhanced delivery of healthcare in a setting of inquiry and education, including the development of networks of care for Alberta Health Services (Calgary Zone) and southern Alberta. Institute directors are appointed jointly by the dean of the Cumming School of Medicine and the president and CEO of Alberta Health Services.

For example:

Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets (ACWA) (with City of Calgary)
Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (with AHS)
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute (with AHS)
Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases (with AHS)
City Building Design Lab (with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation)
Hotchkiss Brain Institute (with AHS)
Innovate Calgary (with Government of Alberta)
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (with AHS)
McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health (with AHS)
Quantum City (with Government of Alberta)
Urban Alliance (with City of Calgary)

For the majority of centres and institutes on campus, the only visual identity required is that of the university.

These entities exist within the university framework and support its research agenda. Their value comes from the contributions of University of Calgary researchers and the infrastructure provided them by the institution. The results of the research conducted through these channels are presented under the auspices of the university and carry the weight of the university name.

Examples of UCalgary institute branding

An exception to this brand approach is for partnership institutes.

Because these institutes are created in a neutral space between two or more partnering organizations, there is often a need to develop a unique identity and then tie the partnering entities to it. In many cases, the rationale for doing this involves a need to promote the institute actively as a possible destination for support from private donors. In these cases, the visual identity treatment is subject to policies and procedures in place at each partnership organization, so it is worth having a conversation at the outset to determine the most logical course of action.

Examples of partnership institute identities

Some centres and institutes have developed unique identifiers.

Unique identifiers are marks within the UCalgary brand which allow centres, institutes and initiatives to have a distinct identity that aligns with their external communication objectives, while remaining aligned to our visual identity. This treatment can be applied to both internal and partnership institutes, but its use is considered on a case by case basis. Learn more.