About AI Ready
CIC’s AI Ready is a comprehensive initiative to foster learning, share resources, and promote AI adoption across independent higher education. This network is crafted to support both pedagogical and institutional purposes, bringing AI conversations into every key area of campus life.
There are two programs offered in AI Ready:
- All Campus Essentials: A full-year experience covering the most pressing AI topics in higher education, structured so every area of campus benefits.
- Leading the AI Charge: A cohort-based program for institutions ready to lead AI adoption from the inside out.
Institutions may join one or both programs. Sponsorship extends across both programs, ensuring comprehensive visibility throughout the full year.
Call for Sponsors
We invite you to join us in supporting CIC’s AI Ready — a proven, high exposure initiative designed to prepare and empower our member institutions in the use of AI. As a sponsor, you will connect with leaders across independent higher education and position your organization at the forefront of AI integration on campus.
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
Network Highlights
AI Ready launched with record participation: 200+ institutions committed to the full yearlong experience, double the participation from last year! Some highlights:
- 66,000+ webinar registrations
- 210+ resources shared
- 90+ unique guides and handouts for CIC institutions
- 60+ hours of podcast-style webinars delivered to institutions across the country
- 1,100 unique registrations per monthly session on average
Benefits of Sponsorship
CIC greatly values our partnerships with sponsors and the benefits they provide to member institutions. Our goal is to offer 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). Sponsorship of AI Ready delivers:
- Connect Directly with Institutional Leaders: Ability to message campus leaders directly, facilitating meaningful connections and opening the door to lasting partnerships.
- Highlight Your Organization as a Leader in the AI Space: Promote your organization directly to institutional leaders making decisions about AI adoption on campus.
- Provide Thought Leadership: Opportunities to share your organization’s expertise directly with network participants during chosen sessions.
- Expose Products and Services of Interest to Members: Sponsors have opportunities throughout the year to showcase their expertise and services prominently within AI Ready.
- Attend, Observe, and Gain Insight about Member Needs: Sponsor opportunities provide valuable access to candid discussions happening on campuses nationwide as they navigate AI adoption.
- Gain Digital Exposure: Sponsors are recognized across all digital materials related to AI Ready, including the network website, newsletters, and virtual event platforms — ensuring consistent visibility for the duration of the network.
What to Expect as a Sponsor
AI Ready has exceeded all expectations — with sponsorships filling quickly each cycle. This year we are extending sponsorship to both AI Ready programs, ensuring each sponsor receives greater visibility and more dedicated support. The following sponsorship opportunities provide deep, sustained exposure to CIC member campuses over a full year. Only five AI Ready sponsorships are available.
What Your Sponsorship Includes:
All Campus Essentials (Program 1)
- Priority brand positioning every month in front of all attendees and in all follow-up communications — listed and referenced as an AI Ready Sponsor.
- Premier sponsorship and exclusive stage presence across a minimum of three Program 1 sessions curated in collaboration with CIC to ensure maximum alignment with your target audience and strategic goals.
- Links to relevant materials from your organization shared with participants during webinar sessions.
- Detailed participant list with contact information of attendees for the entirety of the All Campus Essentials program.
- Spotlight at a programmatic session at either the Institute for Chief Academic Officers or the Presidents Institute.
- Opportunity for three representatives to attend All Campus Essentials sessions throughout the year (approximately 25 sessions).
More than 180 institutions engaged with our All Campus Essentials program in the 2025-26 cycle. We expect a strong showing of institutions in this cycle. Monthly sessions are open to all campus community members, with no cap on the number of attendees per institution — creating the opportunity for significant, campus-wide sponsor exposure. Sessions have averaged 1,600 unique registrations per month, with thousands of unique campus attendees across the full year.
Leading the AI Charge (Program 2)
Sponsors receive rare, sustained access to campus AI decision-makers through a full year of cohort engagement, including:
- Deep, extended interaction with the individuals leading AI adoption at each participating campus- a uniquely high-value audience for search firms, consulting organizations, and major technology partners.
- Exclusive stage time during two premier discussion sessions– your moment in front of the senior leaders shaping AI across campuses nationwide.
- Detailed participant list with attendee contact information for Leading the AI Charge sessions.
Leading the AI Charge is designed for institutions ready to move beyond awareness into action. Each institution will send a team of campus AI leaders to participate in a full year of shared work, consultation, and cohort-based learning. Leading the AI Charge will bring together senior leadership teams who are making the decisions on campus for AI implementation.
Additional prominent recognition including:
- Acknowledgement at both CAOI and PI Institutes as a CIC network sponsor
- Acknowledgement at the start of each session for the entire year of program operation
- First right of refusal for sponsorship of any in-person convening originating from the AI Ready Network
- Logo and description, with hyperlink, featured prominently on the AI Ready homepage
AI Ready Sponsor
Five Opportunities Available
$50,000
Deadlines
Sponsorships are limited, and sponsor requests will be evaluated to ensure alignment with network topics and themes. Opportunities are available until filled.
Priority deadline for sponsor registration: Monday June 22, 2026
Priority placement for featured sessions is reserved for our earliest committed sponsors. Early sponsors gain priority selection rights for sessions and topics.