The University of Pittsburgh is designated as a "New Media Center". The New Media Centers (NMC) is a non-profit organization that "brings forward-thinking colleges and universities together with innovative high-tech companies to explore new ways of teaching and learning through new media." NMC consists of over 100 select institutions, each of which must meet criteria demonstrating innovation, noticeable impact on teaching and learning, collaboration with other entities on campus and beyond, diversity within NMC through its location, institution size or type, student population, and/or structure, and viability.

The Faculty Instructional Development Lab (FIDL) within the Center for Instructional Development & Distance Education (CIDDE) is the official "home" of the Pitt NMC, but the designation of "New Media Center" is actually conveyed to the whole of the University. Participation in NMC programs is open to any interested party at Pitt.