National I-Corps
The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program is an immersive, seven-week entrepreneurial training initiative designed to help scientists and engineers transition their research from the laboratory to the marketplace. The program aims to reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas into impactful products or services. The Mid-South HUB offers a variety of resources to not only help you determine if you are eligible but also support your team through the application process.
Program Objectives:
Training an Entrepreneurial Workforce: Equipping researchers with the skills to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from academic research.
Translating Technologies: Facilitating the commercialization of innovations derived from fundamental research.
Enabling Positive Economic Impact: Accelerating the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded research projects.
Nurturing an Innovation Ecosystem: Building a nationwide network that fosters collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
nsf.gov
Program Structure:
Teams of academic researchers, student entrepreneurs, and business mentors engage in an intensive curriculum focused on:
Customer Discovery: Conducting extensive interviews to understand market needs and validate business hypotheses.
Business Model Development: Using tools like the Business Model Canvas to refine value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams.
Mentorship & Networking: Gaining insights from experienced entrepreneurs and connecting with potential partners and investors.
This structured approach reduces risk and accelerates the transition from lab to marketplace, positioning participants for long-term success.
Eligibility Criteria:
-Applicants must have a technology development connection to an institution of higher education as well as submit their application from an institution of higher education.
-Applicants who have had an active NSF research award in the last five years in a relevant research area –– from any field of science or engineering are eligible to apply to the national I-Corps program.
-Researchers who have not received a research award from NSF may earn eligibility to the national I-Corps program by first participating in a regional I-Corps program and receiving a letter of recommendation following completion of the program.
Team Composition:
Each team must consist of:
Technical Lead (PI): An individual with deep technical expertise in innovation.
Entrepreneurial Lead: A person with a commitment to investigate the commercial potential of the technology.
Industry Mentor: An experienced entrepreneur or business leader who can provide mentorship.
Application Steps:
Complete an Executive Summary: Provide a concise overview of your project by filling out the NSF I-Corps Teams Executive Summary Form.
Engage with NSF: After submission, NSF I-Corps staff will schedule an interview to discuss your project and assess readiness for the national program.
Select a Cohort: Upon a successful interview, choose an appropriate cohort that aligns with your team's availability.
Submit a Formal Proposal: Following cohort selection, submit a detailed proposal as per NSF guidelines.
Program Commitments:
Customer Discovery: Teams are expected to conduct at least 100 interviews with potential customers over the seven-week program to validate market needs.
Session Participation: Full attendance is required for all program sessions, including kick-off meetings, webinars, and closing events.
Regional Opportunities:
Participating in a regional I-Corps program can be a beneficial precursor to the national program, offering localized training and support. [link to regional cohort page]
For comprehensive details on the application process, eligibility, and upcoming events, visit the official NSF I-Corps website or contact Dr. Mark Hilton [link to his email].
To gain further insights into the program, you might find this recorded webinar helpful: