Organizations must first be Members to qualify as Primary Participants. Regular University Members can connect their main campus locations to Abilene as Primary Participants. Affiliate Members and Corporate Members must also have Collaboration Site Status to become Primary Participants in Abilene. Membership carries certain benefits, such as attendance at member meetings and workshops, and participation in working groups and discussion lists. Regular University Members can vote for members of the Internet2 Board of Trustees and Internet2 Advisory Councils.
All Members pay annual dues.
Only Internet2 Regular Members that are also Abilene Primary Participants can sponsor individual institutions for connection to Abilene. Affiliate and Corporate Members, even with Collaboration Site Status, cannot be sponsors. An Internet2 Regular Member that is also an Abilene Primary Participant must sponsor organizations with potential to become Sponsored Participants. The Regular Member also submits a letter agreeing to the conditions of sponsorship. The application is reviewed by Internet2 senior staff.