Sponsored partners

Sponsored Partners is a benefit of KAREN membership. It allows KAREN Members to sponsor the connection to KAREN of businesses they are working with to accelerate their research or education collaboration.


About Sponsored Partners

Sponsored Partners is a new category of KAREN membership. KAREN Members (as defined by the Network Access Policy) can sponsor businesses they are collaborating with on research or education activities to connect to KAREN. This will enable our Members to more readily collaborate with the private sector, widening their revenue opportunities, and accelerate innovation.

This programme leverages the successful Internet2 programme, but is tailored to suit New Zealand’s unique situation. It allows Members to nominate any business partner that they wish to work with to connect to KAREN for a very low cost. Access is provided for the purpose of the specified collaboration and is supported by the Member.


Criteria for Sponsored Partner membership

The key criteria REANNZ will consider for acceptance of a sponsorship are:

  • The benefit outcomes of the collaboration will primarily reside in New Zealand, and drive business growth, through innovative research or education for the Partner
  • The Sponsored Partner meets the requirements of the Network Access Policy

See the Sponsored Partners Process document below for the full, formal criteria.

 

How to get involved

Interested? First, we suggest you read through the FAQs below. These should answer any initial questions you may have about who can participate and the benefits of this category of KAREN membership.

Next, take a look at the Sponsored Partners Process document below. This details the process for REANNZ, the KAREN Member and their collaborator in becoming a Sponsored Partner.

Sponsored Partners Process (pdf, 954KB)

Letter of Sponsorship of a Sponsored Partner (doc, 70KB)

 

Contact

Please contact Chris Litten, Member Engagement Manager at REANNZ, for further information:

phone: 021 922 442
email: chris.litten [at] reannz.co.nz


Frequently asked questions

Who can sponsor organisations for KAREN connectivity?

Only KAREN Members, as defined by the Network Access Policy, can sponsor organisations for connection to KAREN. Associates, Partners and Content and Services Partners cannot be sponsors, at this time.

What are the responsibilities of the Member Sponsor?

The Member commits to the project with the Sponsored Partner as outlined in the sponsorship letter. The sponsorship is valid for a period of up to 12 months, unless terminated by any party prior. The Member may renew the sponsorship, if the collaboration continues to require access to KAREN. The Member will provide a written annual summary of the collaboration describing the contribution that KAREN made to it.

What does it cost the Member Sponsor?

There is no additional cost by the Member to sponsor a Partner.

How can an organisation become a Sponsored Partner?

A KAREN Member sponsors the organisation. See the Sponsored Partners Process document and The Letter of Sponsorship above for details.

Are there any requirements of the Sponsored Partner?

The Partner will be engaged in research or education activities with the Member and will need to meet the sponsorship criteria. The output of these endeavours are intended to drive the growth of the business. The Partner will be required to sign a Partner's Agreement with REANNZ and abide by the terms in that agreement.

What organisations can become a Sponsored Partner?

Any innovative business, NGO or registered charity with a genuine need and desire to collaborate closely with a Member, to enhance their internal capability in research and education may be able to become a Sponsored Partner, subject to them meeting the sponsorship criteria. The organisation needs to be registered with the NZ Companies Office or is a Charitable Trust.

What organisations can not become a Sponsored Partner?

Organisations eligible under the Network Access Policy to be Members, Associates and Partners can not become a Sponsored Partner. For clarity, these include Universities, Crown Research Institutes, Government departments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and Schools.

What does it cost to become a Sponsored Partner?

Sponsored Partners will pay REANNZ an equivalent of $1,000 (excl GST), per month in advance, either quarterly or annually.
Additional standard physical connection charges may apply.

Is a Sponsored Partner the same as a Content and Service Partners?

No. A Sponsored Partner is a business that has a research or educational project that they want to work on solely with the sponsoring Member. A Sponsored Partner does not provide any content or service to the nominating Member, outside of that described in the sponsorship letter.

Does the Sponsored Partner have full access to KAREN?

Partner access to KAREN is outlined in the Network Access Policy and Access Use Policy. Access to international routes may be granted to the Sponsored Partner – and is at REANNZ’s discretion.

If a potential Sponsored Partner – a Business – wants to connect to KAREN, will REANNZ find a sponsor?

REANNZ does not take on the role of finding specific sponsors for potential Sponsored Partners. See our list of KAREN Members. Potential Sponsored Partners are welcome to investigate with Members the possibility of connecting

However, if an organisation independently meets the requirements of the Network Access Policy, it is welcome to approach REANNZ directly about joining KAREN.

 

Related information

 

 

Updated 19 April 2010