Grants were submitted to the National Science Foundation in the Spring of 1986, and in the Summer of 1986 NSF approved funding.
In September 1987, MIDnet was the first NSFNET regional backbone network to become fully operational.
The NSFNET regional backbone networks were the precursors to the Internet.
The MIDnet ring was originally connected via a 56 kbit/s DDS leased telephone line from the Nebraska node to the NSFNET backbone.
MIDnet transitioned from a university-based organization to non-profit status in 1992.