Any university, private or public, registered within India and is recognized by the Government of India, is eligible to become an Academic Member of iCRiST. The founding academic members and the IAB have the right to induct or not to induct a university into the center.

A university that intends to join the center must exhibit research potential in terms of a sound undergraduate and graduate program in the area of information technology, minimum of 4-5 faculty who have clearly demonstrated capability to conduct research and are interested in continuing applied research within the center and its general guidelines.

Any company that desires to sponsor research in the general area of software technology and is registered within India, is eligible to become an industrial affiliate of iCRiST. The IAB, through a majority vote, has the right to deny entry of a company into iSERC.

Each industrial affiliate pays an annual membership fee to iCRiST. The membership fee is decided by the Director and is applied uniformly to all members of the IAB. The fee is usually kept fixed for about 5 years.

At least 85% of the membership fee is used directly to sponsor research. This amount is used to fund faculty and student salaries, travel, purchase of necessary equipment, and university indirect costs, if any. 15% of the membership fee is available to support iCRiST administration.