A key element of the VMware Academic Program (VMAP) is a comprehensive software licensing program designed specifically for the global higher 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.
Participation in the program is typically on a departmental basis, such as a Computer Science or Electrical Engineering department, but schools with multiple departments that wish to enroll may also purchase a campus subscription.
VMware works closely with Kivuto Solutions to provide every participating organization with a customized web portal that provides authorized users with the self-service capability to download software and license keys.
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 Kivuto’s web portal for the Subscription Store.
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 free of cost for the purpose of classroom instruction. Students taking qualified courses can also install program software on their personal computers.
Research – Faculty within member institutions gain access to VMware software licenses free of cost 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 Academic Software Licensing Program EULA (End-User License Agreement).
Participating departments gain access to a comprehensive suite of VMware products and a host of technical resources. The free 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:
Free licenses to available VMware products are regularly updated and posted to the self-service web portal. VMware Academic Software Licensing Program aims to provide the latest release of the core products, and one or two prior releases to provide compatibility with older hardware.
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 will be administered by Kivuto Solutions, Inc., who will contact schools to set up the Electronic License Management and Distribution system (ELMS).
The free 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:
Examples of Unacceptable Use
Use of free VMware software for instruction and research is governed by the specific program guidelines and the conditions described within the Academic EULA.
IMPORTANT: These guidelines are provided for your convenience only. Please refer to the VMware Academic Software Licensing Program EULA for specific license rights.
Please click here for Kivuto’s portal for the VMware Academic Software Licensing Program Subscription Store, from where it is possible to search for existing memberships and apply for a new membership.