Over the next two years the Helix Nebula Initiative is expected to involve an increasing number of members.

The potential members are likely to be stemming from the categories below:

	Users: An entity that applies to become a User Member shall have an intent to procure cloud computing services and actively participate in the Initiative e.g., through participation in task forces and provide use cases for cloud computing that support the work of the Initiative. Users will name a representative to participate in regular meetings of the Helix Nebula Users Board.
	Service Providers: An organisation that applies to become a service provider member should commit to support a minimum set of cloud computing services and perform at least one Proof of Concept of a flagship use case with a user. Service Providers can apply to one or more of the following categories: Connectivity Provider, Infrastructure-as-a-Service Provider (IaaS) Platform-as-a-Service Provider (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service Provider (SaaS), Integrator, Consultant or Broker. Service Providers will name a representative to participate in regular meetings of the Helix Nebula Service Providers Board. Applications will be considered and applicants informed of the final decision made as to their application within three months. The following criteria will be taken into consideration when reviewing the applications: Applicant’s understanding of cloud environments, especially within a European context Applicant’s knowledge, capabilities products and/or services which would advance or enhance those of Helix Nebula generally Applicant’s willingness and ability to work in a spirit of collaborative competition.
	Adopters: An organisation may apply to become an adopter, if they initially do not want to be directly involved in the flagship use cases but wish to make use of the Helix Nebula’s products and services on a pay-per-use basis and be able to provide feedback. Adopters may be invited to Boards (either Service Providers or Users) meetings for information purposes. Adopters will name a representative to be informed or invited by the Helix Nebula Consortium on a regular basis.
	Interested Parties: An organisation may apply to become an Interested Party, if they initially do not want to be directly involved in the flagship use cases but wish to be kept informed of the work of or use information provided by the Consortium.

For all types of members a formal acceptance procedure will apply (specified hereafter), to be implemented by the Helix Nebula Management Team following the receipt of the membership request. Membership application implies acceptance of the vision of Helix Nebula as outlined in the strategic plan Strategic Plan for a Scientific Cloud Computing infrastructure for Europe, CERN-OPEN-2011-036, August 2011, and willingness to collaborate with the other partners in order to achieve the vision. All decisions must be adopted by consensus of both the user organisations and service provider companies. In case of lack of consensus, decision will be taken by a qualified majority of all members of the two Boards, which must include the positive vote of the public user organisations.

All users and service providers applying to become a member of the Helix Nebula Consortium (except as an Interested Party) agree to sign a multi-lateral NDA prior to becoming an active member.

How to apply

Prior to your​ application, please read the following documents:

1. HNI Non Disclosure Agreement 2015-2016
2. HNI membership Rules 2015
3. HNI Governance Model
4. Apply Now

For more details and updates about how to join, write to us at contact[@]helix-nebula.eu