The Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) describes itself as "an organization designed to advance the transformative promise of networked information technology for the improvement of scholarly communication and the enrichment of intellectual productivity." It was founded in 1990 and has addressed many issues related to the development and use of networked information in the research and education communities.

The Coalition is sponsored by the Association of [North American] Research Libraries (ARL) and the non-profit coalition EDUCAUSE, which provide oversight and appoint the Steering Committee that guides CNI's activities. CNI's Executive Director is Clifford Lynch, who is based at the organization's offices in Washington, DC. The Coalition is comprised of around 200 members, including higher education and library institutions, professional and scholarly organizations, and publishing and information technology companies.

CNI was established to broaden thinking beyond issues of network connectivity and bandwidth to encompass networked information content and applications. It was felt that new partnerships and new technologies were required to reap the benefits of the Internet for scholarship, research, and education. The Coalition seeks to further these collaborations, to explore new institutional roles, and to catalyze the development and deployment of the necessary technology base. The CNI program is structured around three central themes: developing and managing networked information content; transforming organizations, professions and individuals; and building technology, standards and infrastructure.