In 2006, a new cohort of members will be admitted into the New Media Consortium (NMC) as part of a worldwide search for excellence. The institutions selected, like the current NMC member institutions, will be outstanding innovators, committed to pushing the boundaries of teaching, learning and creative expression, and adept in the application of technology.

Membership in the consortium is by invitation only, and invitations are the result of a peer-reviewed application process. NMC member institutions are found in almost every state in the US, across Canada, and in Europe, Hong Kong, and Australia. Among the membership are an elite list of the most highly regarded colleges and universities in the world, as well as a growing list of innovative museums, research centers, foundations, and forward-thinking companies. A list of current NMC members can be found here.

The consortium serves as a catalyst for the development of new applications of technology to support learning and creative expression, and sponsors programs and activities designed to stimulate innovation, encourage collaboration, and recognize excellence among its member institutions. Through its many projects, its comprehensive website, and its series of international and online conferences, the NMC stimulates dialog and understanding through the exploration of promising ideas, technologies, and applications.

To learn more about the NMC and its work on behalf of its member institutions, see this brief description of the NMC and its aims, projects, and initiatives. (PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Since its founding in 1993, an extraordinary group of institutions has come together to comprise today's NMC, and membership denotes an organization deeply committed to expanding the boundaries of teaching, learning, and creative expression.

If your organization shares this commitment, and believes in the same values as the colleges, universities, museums, research centers, foundations, and other learning-centered organizations that comprise the NMC —quality, innovation, efficacy, and collaboration — you should consider submitting an application for membership in the consortium.

Each application will be reviewed by a carefully selected panel of reviewers who will consider the materials submitted, as well as other information in making their recommendations. The goal of the review is to recognize quality programs and efforts wherever they may be found.

The following criteria, detailed below, will be used to evaluate proposals: innovation, impact, quality, collaboration, and viability. Applicants are asked to discuss these, as well as the range of programs and activities that make them strong candidates. The reviewers are especially interested in how institutions may add to the NMC’s community of innovators in other ways, and unique additions are especially welcolmed.

To be considered for NMC membership, you will be asked to describe how your organization meets the following criteria:

• Innovation - The institution demonstrates innovation and creativity in teaching, in reaching students or the public, in the arts, or in its applications of technology.

• Impact - The institution has a noticeable impact on the conduct or practice of teaching, learning, research, creative expression, or the advancement of new media as a discipline or as a means of artistic expression.

• Quality - The institution's programs and activities reflect a high standard of quality in design and execution.

• Collaboration - The institution has demonstrated that it is committed to collaboration both within and outside the institution.

• Viability - The organization has the vision and resources to remain committed to its work, and to innovation and creativity, for the long term.

Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to become an NMC member.

Membership provides benefits, discounts, and includes 10 complimentary registrations per year for the NMC's Series of Online Conferences. Annual dues for membership are $2,500 US.

See the benefits of membership for more information.

If not selected in the initial round, colleges may reapply. In this case, the panel of reviewers will provide feedback to institutions on how their application might be improved. The review process normally takes about 2-3 weeks.

Please call NMC headquarters at 512-445-4200 or e-mail us at nmc@nmc.org if you have any questions about the application process.