1. Overview
  2. Usage Guidelines

Academic Licensing

VMware provides a comprehensive software licensing program designed specifically for the global education community. An annual subscription fee enables qualifying academic users worldwide to gain easy access to cutting-edge virtualization technology and resources.

The VMware Academic Software Licensing Program supports the use of virtualization applications in teaching and research. The program provides both desktop and infrastructure software for personal use, whether as part of STEM classes, in research projects, or for gaining hands-on experience with VMware products. Applications are provided at no cost to end users, with participating departments being responsible for covering the program’s operational costs through an annual subscription fee based upon the total number of users.

General Eligibility

  • Accredited education institutions worldwide offering 2-, 3- or 4- year programs (or equivalent) are eligible to participate in the program
  • Non profit Technical schools offering accredited degrees through in person or distance education programs are also eligible to participate in the program

Annual subscription

VMware works closely with D2L to provide every participating organization with a that the ability to provide access to authorized users with the self-service capability to download software and license keys.

  • Unlimited downloads of our most popular products, with renewable 365-day fully functional licenses (limited to a single license key per product, per user) Software is provided to qualified users with no associated entitlement to support services, and users may not purchase such services in association with VMAP licenses.

Click here to access D2Ls web portal for the Subscription Store. 

Program Scope

Qualified members of the academic community – students, faculty and technical staff – can utilize the VMware Academic Software Licensing Program in the following areas:

Instruction – Faculty within member institutions gain access to VMware software licenses for the purpose of:

  • Classroom instruction and activities.
  • Program software can be installed in labs that support faculty and students learning. 

Students taking qualified courses can also install program software on their personal computers. 

Research – Faculty within member institutions gain access to VMware software licenses as a part of their non-commercial research projects. Program software can be installed in research labs as well on the personal computers of faculty and students involved in research projects.

Use of VMware software for instruction and research is governed by specific program guidelines and the conditions described within the VMware End-User License Agreement. (EULA)

Products Included

Participating departments gain access to a comprehensive suite of VMware products and a host of technical resources. The products provided are ideal for instructional and research use within academic institutions, and for gaining hands-on experience with core infrastructure products. Included products are:

  • VMware Fusion Pro for M1 and Intel-based Macs
  • VMware Tanzu Basics
  • VMware vCenter Server Standard
  • VMware vRealize Suite Standard
  • VMware vRealize Suite Enterprise Plus
  • VMware vSAN Enterprise
  • VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus
  • VMware Workstation Pro

The free licenses available to program members are 365-day evaluation licenses that require a one-time, annual download. Annual product downloads ensure that members receive the most up to date versions of products and also allows us to better maintain accurate member data. Licenses keys will be administered by D2L. 

Usage Guidelines

The single-use licenses provided through the Academic Software Licensing Program may be used for instruction and non-commercial research only. Please refer to the following definitions of instructional and research use:

Instructional use is defined as conducting educational classes, labs, or related programs. Research use is defined as conducting non-commercial, not-for-profit research projects within an academic department or associated research group.

Infrastructure use is defined as the use of software as a part of the affiliated organization’s infrastructure that is not intended to be used primarily for instructional or research use (as defined above) Examples of Acceptable Use:

  • Lab licenses may only be installed in lab environments where the lab is primarily used for instructional, or research uses
  • Program software installed in shared lab environments can be used across different courses offered by different faculty members
  • Faculty and staff directly involved in administering systems and providing support for program software may install the software on their personal computers
  • Students taking qualified courses or conducting research can access program software within lab machines or download program software on their personal computers. Students receiving licenses through a qualifying course or research project may use the licenses after the course or project is concluded
  • Infrastructure product licenses – vSphere, vCloud and related products – are provided by the Academic Software Licensing Program for personal use in gaining hands-on experience with the products
  • Multiple academic groups in an institution may join the Program if each group meets the eligibility requirements. In such cases, a campus subscription may be more cost-effective
  • The designated Program Administrator (PA) must be an employee of the department or group and is responsible for administering, managing, and enforcing the guidelines set by the EULA for the VMware Academic Program (“Academic EULA”)

Examples of Unacceptable Use

  • Students, faculty members, or other parties that received a license under the program but no longer attend or are employed by the institution
  • Staff members who are not directly involved with system administration related to the program, such as administrative assistants, may not install the software on their personal computers
  • Software that is part of the program may not be shared with non-approved departments. However, it may be installed on shared labs if the approved department’s students regularly use that lab
  • The designated Program Administrator for the member approved may not be a teaching assistant or a student. However, teaching assistants or students may help the Program Administrator with the program
  • The software provided by the Academic Software Licensing Program may not be sold, rented, leased, or transferred to any third party including contractors, consultants, other companies, and other department personnel
  • Software cannot be used for infrastructure (Production) purposes. Licenses acquired through the VMware Academic Software Licensing Program are for instructional, research and personal use only
  • The software provided by VMware Academic Software Licensing Program may not be used for any purpose outside of instructional, research or personal use. vSphere licenses provided under this program may not be used for desktop virtualization.

IMPORTANT: These guidelines are provided for your convenience only. Please refer to the VMware EULA for specific license rights.

Register to D2L’s Portal for the VMware Academic Software Licensing Program Subscription Store