Award Abstract # 2044502
I-Corps Hub: Mid-Atlantic Region

NSF Org: TI
Translational Impacts
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
Initial Amendment Date: August 24, 2021
Latest Amendment Date: July 10, 2024
Award Number: 2044502
Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreement
Program Manager: Molly Wasko
mwasko@nsf.gov
 (703)292-4749
TI
 Translational Impacts
TIP
 Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Start Date: January 1, 2022
End Date: December 31, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $15,000,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $12,725,124.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2021 = $3,000,000.00
FY 2022 = $3,575,124.00

FY 2023 = $3,150,000.00

FY 2024 = $3,000,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Dean Chang (Principal Investigator)
    deanc@umd.edu
  • Daniel Kunitz (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Darryll Pines (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of Maryland, College Park
3112 LEE BUILDING
COLLEGE PARK
MD  US  20742-5100
(301)405-6269
Sponsor Congressional District: 04
Primary Place of Performance: University of Maryland College Park
4131 Campus Drive
Colleg Park
MD  US  20742-5103
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
04
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): NPU8ULVAAS23
Parent UEI: NPU8ULVAAS23
NSF Program(s): I-Corps Hubs
Primary Program Source: 01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002122DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s): 170Y00
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.084

ABSTRACT

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps Hubs project is to catalyze an inclusive Mid-Atlantic innovation network to spur the development of deep technology startups that will have much-needed economic and societal impacts regionally, nationally, and globally. Research universities are positioned to support commercialization of scientific discoveries, and NSF I-Corps accelerates the growth and impact of university-launched deep technology ventures. The uniquely-experienced Mid-Atlantic Region I-Corps Hub team will build on the initial success of I-Corps Nodes to continue the cultural transformation at several of the country's top research universities to embed innovative practices into the conceptualization and conduct of research; to solve critical societal problems; and to create jobs, opportunities, and economic value. This Hub project directly aligns with the goals of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, which is critically important for previously industrialized regions such as the Mid-Atlantic region as it is experiencing significant economic turmoil due to shifts in American manufacturing industries, compounded by disruptions due to the pandemic. Also, the Hub vision and strategy prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly among underrepresented groups and underserved minorities and minority institutions like Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The I-Corps program curriculum is built on scientific methods that incorporate hypothesis testing, the build-measure-learn cycle, and continuous iteration. Multiple outcomes result from the program, teams: change research directions, get funding from grants or private investors, or form start-up companies and grow through revenue. Equally important, the impact of the program accrues over many years. The Hub model enables alignment of a systematic and comprehensive analysis of regional impacts, as well as the programmatic, environmental, and individual factors that mediate the efficacy of the program itself. Understanding for whom and under what conditions I-Corps programs are most effective, and what factors contribute to or detract from this effectiveness is critical to inform the continued growth and scaling of I-Corps.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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