Software for members (Eligible product list)
IBM Academic Initiative members can get full versions of a large selection of IBM software, at no charge. Most of the software can be downloaded from the Software Catalog, and a few additional products are available on CD by request. Members can also request virtual access to some software through the Amazon Web Services cloud or to IBM Power Systems or System z enterprise computing environments.
To download or request any IBM software, you must be a member of the IBM Academic Initiative. Not a member? Join now!
Download full-version software
All software downloads are available to members at no charge. The Software Catalog contains products from each IBM software brand: Information Management (including Cognos), Lotus, Rational, Tivoli, and WebSphere (including ILOG). You can use them to teach about database management, team collaboration, software development, systems performance and management, Web services, and many other technologies.
You can search for software in the catalog by specifying text (such as a product name), a category, or a part number.
Download from the Software Catalog
Note about license keys: Most ILOG Optimization products that are available to Academic Initiative members will require a license key, and most Rational products will require either a license key or an activation kit. Be sure to read the ILOG support and Rational support pages for detailed instructions.
SPSS Mining in Academia Program
IBM SPSS Modeler Premium is available to academics through the SPSS Mining in Academia Program (MAP) at no charge.
Request software on CDs
This is a summary of the products available on CD. The request form lists the specific products and versions.
- AIX operating system and documentation
- Cluster Systems Management for AIX and Linux
- Engineering and Scientific Subroutine Library (ESSL) for AIX and Linux
- Parallel ESSL and Parallel Environment for AIX and Linux
- Performance Toolbox and Performance AIDE for AIX
- TWS Loadleveler for AIX
Please note that each Academic Initiative member may request a maximum of one CD per product. We do not offer a CD that contains all of our products; you must request each product CD individually.
Please note: All worldwide CD shipments have been resumed. Thank you for your patience while we resolved our export regulation issues.
Request virtual access
IBM Academic Initiative members can get no-charge remote access for themselves and their students to an IBM mainframe system or IBM Power Systems. They can also get access to IBM software in a cloud environment.
IBM Blueworks Live
IBM Blueworks Live runs in a virtual cloud environment, which means there is no software to download or install. Members can submit their details to request an IBM Blueworks Live trial account. After we verify your academic credentials, we will send you a link to upgrade your account so you can access the full professional version, at no charge.
Request IBM Blueworks Live access
Get remote access to mainframe systems
Members can give their students the opportunity to explore, learn, and perform course lab exercises in a real mainframe environment without having to install and maintain the system — all at no charge.
Request access to IBM mainframe systems
Note: Specify which courses you plan to teach and the number of educator and student IDs you need.
Get remote access to Power Systems
Members can get no-charge access to the latest Power Systems technology for teaching purposes — without the expense of owning and maintaining your own system. The IBM Power Systems Connection Center, managed by Systems Education Association Limited (SEAL), will work with you to understand your application requirements, set up your student profiles, as well as handle other administrative responsibilities.
Preview the environment before getting access Request access to IBM Power Systems
Get remote access through Amazon Web Services cloud
IBM software is available in the Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) virtual environment. The cloud offers Development Amazon Machine Images (AMIs) of full-function code for a growing set of Information Management, Lotus and WebSphere software products.
IBM provides the Development AMIs at no additional charge beyond the normal Amazon EC2 usage.
Academic Skills Cloud
PowerPC 405 Core offer
The specifications of the PowerPC 405 Core are freely available to Academic Initiative members.
Publicly available software
Download the developer or community edition of these products. Membership is not required.