Membership &
Network Connectivity
Advanced network connectivity is a linchpin of the Internet2 community. High-performance networking enables members to collaborate on the development, testing and deployment of new network capabilities and applications.
Internet2 university members, and private and government organizations whose connectivity benefits U.S. higher education, are eligible to connect to the Internet2 Network—a dynamic, innovative and cost-effective hybrid optical and packet network. The Internet2 Network provides next-generation production services and a platform for the development of new networking ideas and techniques.
Membership Categories & Requirements
Internet2 membership categories are defined by organization type. This structure enables us to best meet the unique requirements of each member group. For help determining your organization's membership category or for additional information, please contact membership@internet2.edu.
Higher Education Members are U.S. institutions of higher education that lead Internet2's effort to develop new networking capabilities and advanced applications. These members develop advanced network-based applications for research and education, and create a project team within the organization to support application development. They are required to establish advanced network connectivity on an end-to-end basis between and among member institutions and other related development sites. University members should plan to join or form a regional aggregation organization, often called a gigaPoP or Regional Optical Network (RON) to access the nationwide Internet2 network. University membership also requires
executive participation in the overall management of Internet2.
Dues Information
Affiliate Members are nonprofit organizations that are research- or education-oriented with a strong interest in Internet2's mission and goals. They are committed to promoting the development and deployment of advanced Internet applications and network services in the conduct of research and education. Those non-profit organizations wishing to apply for Collaboration Site Status must meet the same requirements as university members.
Dues Information
Research and Education Network Members are nonprofit organizations that are sub-state, state, or multi-state in scope and that have a principal mission to provide network infrastructure and services primarily to the research and education community in the relevant geographic area, including, but not limited to, access to the Internet2 national network infrastructure and services.
For organizations that sign a connection agreement and connect directly to the Internet2 Network, membership is included in the connection fee. Organizations that do not connect directly to the Internet2 Network pay member dues under this category.
Dues Information
Industry Members are committed to promoting the development and deployment of advanced network applications and services. Internet2 Industry partners and sponsors make significant commitments to collaborating with Internet2 higher education members.There are three levels of industry membership:
Internet2 Industry Partners contribute goods and/or services in the amount of $1,000,000 or more to Internet2 Regular or Affiliate members for three years. Corporate Partners are committed to providing leadership in the Internet2 community by playing an active role in the development of advanced applications. Examples include donation of equipment, services or personnel.
Internet2 Industry Sponsors contribute goods and/or services in the amount of $100,000 or more to Internet2 Regular or Affiliate members for three years. Corporate sponsors are committed to providing leadership in the Internet2 community by playing an active role in the development of advanced applications. Examples include donation of equipment, services or in some cases personnel.
Internet2 Industry Members are not required to contribute goods and services however many corporate members actively participate in Internet2 activities. In order to get the most out of membership, corporations are encouraged to engage with other Internet2 members while striving towards the goal of technology transfer.
