Overview

Accelerate research innovation with the world’s leading SoC design portfolio

 

Arm Academic Access (AAA) provides universities and research institutions with no-cost access to commercial-grade Arm IP, software, tools, models and training resources for non-commercial research and education. Researchers can access a broad portfolio of CPU, GPU, and AI technologies—including Arm Ethos NPUs, Arm Cortex processors, and Arm Corstone subsystems—enabling work across TinyML, edge AI, robotics, AI accelerators, and advanced SoC design. Build and teach with the same Arm technologies used across industry, helping students gain hands-on experience while enabling researchers to move faster from concept to publication, prototype, and silicon. AAA also enables you to connect with a worldwide community of researchers building Arm-based SoC designs.

Designed specifically for academia, AAA removes many of the traditional barriers associated with advanced SoC development by providing access through a single, standardized membership agreement. Researchers can focus on innovation, avoiding licensing complexity and enabling faster progress from concept to prototype, FPGA implementation, published research, and even silicon tape-out.


We’d love to unlock new opportunities for your research projects and help you achieve success in your research. Join more than 200 universities and research institutions and more than 1,000 academics around the world who have signed up for the program.

Apply for Arm Academic Access
Benefits

Features and benefits

  • No-cost access for academia – Access Arm IP, software, tools, models, and training resources for non-commercial research and education.

  • Build on commercial-grade Arm technology – Develop with the same industry-standard Arm architectures and ecosystem used by leading technology companies worldwide.

  • Accelerate research impact and innovation – Use commercially proven Arm technology to move more quickly from idea to implementation, publication and silicon.

  • Power AI research and SoC innovation – Develop projects spanning TinyML, edge AI, robotics, AI accelerators, embedded systems, and advanced semiconductor research using commercially proven Arm technologies.

  • Teach with industry-relevant technology – Give students hands-on experience with the Arm technologies used across the semiconductor ecosystem, helping build practical skills and career readiness.

  • Enable FPGA and tape-out projects – Support advanced SoC design workflows, from simulation and prototyping through to experimental silicon manufacture.

  • Join a global community of SoC innovators. Through SoC Labs, members can collaborate with peers, access reference designs, learn from shared tape-out experiences, participate in design challenges, and benefit from mentoring that helps accelerate projects from early ideas to implementation.

  • Collaborate with Arm Academic Access members – Easily share your research with any of the 200+ institutions of the member community.
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Arm Academic Access datasheet

Discover the IP and tools that can be included in Arm Academic Access.

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Success stories

Arm Academic Access: Accelerating research and teaching impact

From edge AI and robotics to custom accelerators and advanced SoC design, explore how researchers are using Arm Academic Access IP to solve real-world challenges, accelerate innovation and teach the next generation.

When is a brain not a brain?

Hai ‘Helen’ Li and her Duke University students are working on ways to accelerate DNN compute in low-power edge devices. She tells us what that work entails, and why they chose Arm to help them.

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A world of smart devices

Professor Massimo Alioto of the National University of Singapore discusses the challenges of AI, IoT and 5G and how he is developing energy-efficient technologies for the next wave of computing.

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The accelerating power of coherence

Researchers at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center discuss how they are developing coherent accelerator architectures to enable more powerful and efficient computing for AI, genomics and other data-intensive applications.

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Accelerating at the edge

Télécom Paris has developed an accelerator for deep neural networks to run on edge devices, removing the need to process data in the cloud.

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Power up: The road to better battery management

Accurate battery management systems are essential in EVs. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad team has turned its research into a prize-winning start-up.

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To the edge and beyond

London South Bank University’s Electrical and Electronic Engineering department have been using Arm IP and teaching resources as core elements in their courses and student projects.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Arm Academic Access?

Arm Academic Access (AAA) is a no-cost program that provides universities and research institutions with access to commercial-grade Arm technology for non-commercial research and education. Members gain access to Arm IP, software, tools, models and training resources to support AI, semiconductor and systems research, as well as teaching and student projects.

The program is designed to help researchers and educators accelerate innovation, develop advanced SoC designs, conduct cutting-edge research and prepare students for their future careers using industry-relevant Arm technology.

Why should my institution join Arm Academic Access?

AAA helps researchers and educators accelerate innovation by providing access to commercially-proven Arm technology used across the global semiconductor industry.

Members can:

  • Accelerate AI, semiconductor and systems research
  • Teach using industry-standard Arm technology
  • Develop advanced SoC designs and custom accelerators
  • Publish research and collaborate with other institutions
  • Progress projects from concept to FPGA prototyping and silicon tape-out.

Who can join?

Arm Academic Access is available globally to accredited universities, higher education institutions and eligible research organisations undertaking non-commercial research and educational activities. Participation is subject to Arm’s eligibility requirements, including applicable export control laws, sanctions regulations and technology access restrictions.

Can I use Arm Academic Access for AI research?

Yes. AAA supports a wide range of AI research areas, including TinyML, edge AI, robotics, AI accelerators, intelligent IoT systems and next-generation computing architectures. Researchers can access commercial-grade Arm technologies used to develop AI systems across cloud, edge and endpoint devices.

Can I manufacture silicon using Arm Academic Access?

Yes. Researchers can progress projects from simulation and prototyping through to experimental silicon manufacture of up to 1,000 units. A simple manufacturing agreement enables eligible institutions to tape out low-volume research devices, alongside information on the project they wish to manufacture.

How is Arm Academic Access different from Arm Flexible Access?

Arm Academic Access is designed specifically for non-commercial research and education within universities and research institutions. Arm Flexible Access is designed for commercial product development. Together, they provide a pathway from academic research and innovation to startup formation and commercialisation for teams that choose to take their ideas to market.

How do I join Arm Academic Access?

Applying is straightforward. Institutions complete an application, sign a standard membership agreement and nominate administrators who manage access for approved researchers, faculty members and postgraduate students.

Ready to get started? Apply for Arm Academic Access today.

Want to contact us for further information? Email: AAA-enquiries@arm.com

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Choose your area of interest and access the materials you need to teach, learn, and innovate with Arm technology.

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