Introducing the CNCF End User Contributor Program: Earn Access, Influence, and Recognition

Program Transition: Retiring the End User Supporter Program Your Two Pathways to End User Engagement The Future is Bright for Contributors Who can join? How to apply Posted on November 5, 2025 by Eliza Power The cloud native ecosystem runs on the contributions from many sources– including vendors, developers, academics, and importantly, end users. The real-world production experience of end-user organizations is essential for project evolution and growth. If your organization is a CNCF End User and is contributing insights, code, case studies, demos, or feedback to the CNCF ecosystem, then this announcement is for you. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the CNCF End User Contributor Program ; a zero-fees pathway for End Users to connect with our community, influence its technical direction, and earn public recognition. With this launch, we’re retiring the End User Support Program – and we want to thank every organization that participated for their valuable support. For Existing End User Supporters: To ensure a smooth transition, existing End User Supporters can renew for one more year under the existing program as long as their renewal term commences on or before January 1, 2026. But we won’t be accepting any new Supporters going forward. Going forward, End User organizations have two distinct, value-driven options for engagement. Both grant access to our End User community, but they differ in benefits: The End User Contributor Program is the free pathway to ensure your company remains connected to the heart of the CNCF End User community and its programs. As a qualified End User Contributor , your organization gains access to specialized events, programs, and privileges, including: Exclusive access to End User programs: Participate in initiatives and programs tailored specifically for cloud native end users. Attend End User-only events at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon: Connect with peers, project leaders, and CNCF leadership in dedicated sessions and networking events Participate in End User groups: Engage in focused discussions, share challenges, and collaborate on solutions with other End Users. Eligibility for the End User Technical Advisory Board (TAB): Run for and participate in the End User TAB, directly influencing CNCF’s technical vision and project oversight from an end-user perspective.