AI Ready Network Sponsorship Opportunities

About the AI Ready Network

Year one of CIC’s AI Ready network was a great success. 


Join us for year two! 

CIC’s AI Ready network is a comprehensive initiative to foster learning, share resources, and promote effective AI adoption. This network is crafted to support both pedagogical and business purposes, exposing AI conversations into key areas of campus life. 

There are two programs offered in the AI Ready network. 

  1. Program 1—All Campus Essentials, an opportunity to learn about and engage with nine of the most pressing topics over 12 months, structured so all areas of campus benefit 
  1. Program 2—Building & Launching Together, a small, space-limited, pilot program for institutions ready to implement generative AI on campus 

Institutions can join one or both programs, and sponsorship opportunities are available for both. View more details about both AI Ready programs. 

Call for Sponsors

We invite you to join us to support CIC’s AI Ready network, a proven transformative initiative designed to prepare and empower our member institutions in the realm of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). By becoming a sponsor, you will connect with leaders in higher education and position your organization at the forefront of AI integration within independent colleges and universities. 

About CIC

CIC is an association of more than 700 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates. CIC has a threefold mission:

  • Supporting and developing campus leaders
  • Advancing the excellence of member institutions
  • Enhancing public understanding of the contributions independent higher education makes to society

Year One Highlights

In year one, we expected 40 institutions to join and over 100 went through the yearlong experience. Some highlights: 

15,000 webinar registrations (and counting) 
126+ resources shared 
50+ unique guides and handouts for CIC institutions 
30+ hours of podcast-style webinars delivered to institutions across the country

Benefits of Sponsorship

CIC greatly values our partnerships with sponsors and the benefit they provide to member institutions. Our goal is to provide premiere opportunities for sponsors to connect and share their expertise with the leaders of CIC member colleges and universities over the 12-month program(s). We’ve developed this unique sponsorship opportunity for the AI Ready network to serve these goals: 

  1. Highlight Your Organization as a Leader in the AI Space 
    Each sponsorship arrangement promotes your organization to institutional leaders. 
  1. Provide Thought Leadership 
    Sponsor levels include the opportunity to share your organization’s knowledge directly with network participants. Some sponsors will be invited to contribute formally to program sessions, webinars, and collaborative projects, enhancing the overall learning experience. 
  1. Expose Products and Services of Interest to Members 
    Sponsors have opportunities throughout the year to showcase their expertise and services prominently within the AI Ready network. 
  1. Attend, Observe, and Gain Insight about Member Needs 
    Sponsor opportunities provide valuable insights into the candid discussions happening on campuses nationwide as they explore AI options.   
  1. Gain Digital Exposure 
    Sponsors, according to sponsorship tier level, are recognized across digital materials related to the AI Ready network, including the network website, newsletters, and virtual event platforms. This ensures consistent visibility in related monthly sessions or for the duration of the network. 
  1. Connect Directly with Institutional Leaders 
    The AI Ready network includes sponsor options that allow sponsors to message campus leaders, facilitating direct communication and opening the door to meaningful interactions. 
Pledge Form

What to Expect as Sponsors

The AI Ready network was a runaway success last year with top-level sponsorships going fast. New this year with sponsorship, we are offering fewer sponsor opportunities, thus highlighting a smaller number of sponsors in a greater way. We are also expanding administrative support for sponsor contacts so we can support sponsors in keeping up with the fast pace of the program.  

Program 1

Over 90 institutions enrolled in Program 1 (All Campus Essentials) in year one, giving those sponsors a full year of exposure. We expect a strong showing (50+ institutions) again this year. Monthly attendance will vary based on the monthly topic, with niche topics attracting campus decision makers active in those areas and broader topics attracting a mix of faculty, staff, and leadership. Institutions are not limited to the number of people that can attend each session, creating the opportunity for high campus attendance and significant sponsor exposure. Last year, each monthly session averaged 600 unique registrations, with thousands of unique campus attendees during the full year. 

The following sponsorship opportunities include deep and continued exposure to CIC member campuses over a full year. 

AI Network Catalyst Sponsorship ($40,000)

ONE REMAINING!

  • Priority positioning of your brand every month in front of all attendees and in all follow-up messages, listed and referenced weekly as a leader in the AI space 
  • Premier sponsorship for your preferred month’s topic, selected in partnership with CIC, providing additional exposure to your designated audience on one of the nine topics 
  • Links to relevant materials from your organization sent to participants during webinar sessions
  • Detailed participant list with contact information of attendees for the entirety of Program 1 
  • Opportunity for three representatives to attend the sessions every month of Program 1, for the entire year of operation (approximately 25 sessions). This includes the opportunity for a representee to briefly address all attendees at least every other month. 
  • Prominent recognition in the following ways: 
    • Acknowledgement at both Institutes as a CIC network sponsor 
    • Acknowledgement in the overview/closing session each month for the entire year of program operation 
    • Acknowledgement on any topical reports based on that month’s conversation 
    • Logo and description, with hyperlink, featured prominently on AI Ready network homepage 
  • Spotlight (on-demand video link) shared with attendees after the last webinar of each month of Program 1 
  • First right of refusal for sponsorship of any separate in-person convening that originates from the AI Ready network 
  • Expanded sponsor page with digital resources and links housed on the CIC website  
  • Thought leadership piece listed on CIC’s website 
  • Premium tier listing on CIC’s Solution Center  

Virtual “Co-Host” Sponsorship (Full Year at $40,000) 

We are seeking a leading creator of online avatars and AI generated personas to feature your product and design during a special session each month. The goal is to highlight to attendees the advanced capabilities of the technology and how it can be used, with the specific design and implementation based on the selected partner. This sponsorship is available for the full year at $40,000.

  • On-air demo time guaranteed for each month, showing the capabilities of your software to hundreds of university administrators and leaders 
  • Priority positioning of your brand every month in front of all attendees and in all follow-up messages, listed and referenced weekly as a leader in the AI space 
  • Links to relevant materials from your organization sent to participants during webinar sessions
  • Detailed participant list with contact information of attendees for the entirety of Program 1  
  • Opportunity for two representatives to attend the sessions every month of Program 1, for the entire year of operation (approximately 25 sessions). This includes the opportunity for a representee to briefly address all attendees at least every other month. 
  • Prominent recognition in the following ways: 
    • Acknowledgement at both Institutes as a CIC network sponsor 
    • Acknowledgement in the overview/closing session each month for the entire year of program operation 
    • Acknowledgement on any topical reports based on that month’s conversation 
    • Logo and description, with hyperlink, featured prominently on AI Ready network homepage 
  • Spotlight (on-demand video link) shared with attendees after the last webinar of each month of Program 1 
  • Expanded sponsor page with digital resources and links housed on the CIC website  
  • Thought leadership piece listed on CIC’s website 
  • Premium tier listing on CIC’s Solution Center  

Program 2

Program 2 (Building & Launching Together) is for institutions wishing to better develop their internal expertise using AI. We expect 20–25 institutions with teams composed of the leaders of the AI work from each campus. Institutions will send a team of up to 30 people to participate in the entire year. While Program 1 covers multiple topic areas in introductory conversation, Program 2 builds deep relationships with smaller groups across an entire year of shared work and consultation. 

Foundation Level Sponsorship ($42,000)

CLAIMED

  • Named sponsorship of the AI sandbox platform that will power the 12-month operation of Program 2 
  • Recognition in the following ways: 
    • Logo and description, with hyperlink, featured prominently on AI Ready network homepage 
    • Acknowledgement on the login page to the AI sandbox platform 
    • Acknowledgement on any topical reports resulting from the program discourse 
  • Opportunity to host a “special feature” discussion session highlighting solutions of your choice with Program 2 participants once during program operation 

Community of Practice Consulting Sponsorship ($35,000) 

Program 2 is designed for campus AI all stars and rising stars to learn advanced AI usage. This unique sponsorship places a representative of your team in as a thought leader and guide for the Program #2 community. While Program #1 provides exposure to a broad group on campus, program #2 provides deep, extended interaction with the individuals leading AI adoption on each campus. 

  • Appointment of a senior consultant as an outside expert/thought leader on generative AI to join every Community of Practice convening and minimally observe and advise as campus teams complete their projects. This is a true thought leader role for an organization with a skilled generative AI coach. Based on expertise, this person may also be asked to join individual consulting calls with campuses. 
    • Note: This is not a direct product, solution, or company promotion; it is an opportunity to develop deep relationships with campus teams that opens the door for future possibilities. (This is a reviewed and approved role.) 
  • Recognition in the following ways: 
    • Company name and background/logo on your individual Zoom throughout meetings, consulting, and coaching sessions 
    • Logo and description featured on AI Ready network homepage 
    • Individual’s picture with organization featured for the year on the AI Advisory Leadership section on the AI Ready website
  • Opportunity to host a “special feature” discussion session highlighting solutions of your choice with Program 2 participants once during program operation  
  • Participation in the office hours of the advising team supporting campus teams, creating the possibility for individual and campus consultations  
  • Detailed participant list with attendee contact information for Program 2   

Deadlines

Sponsorships are limited and sponsor requests will be evaluated to align with network topics and theme. 

Priority deadline for sponsor registration is July 10, 2025, with applications evaluated as they are submitted and sponsor opportunities open until filled. 

Pledge Form