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NATIONAL INNOVATION NETWORK


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For more details, view the I-Corps™ Hubs Interactive Map (pdf).

NSF is developing and nurturing a national innovation network to guide scientific research toward the development of solutions to benefit society.

The National Innovation Network is designed to be a tightly connected, highly functional organization of I-Corps™ Hubs, Nodes and Sites spanning the nation. Currently, Nodes and Sites implement the I-Corps program in the research community. Nodes are consortia of multiple universities responsible for delivering a standardized curriculum, and Sites are universities providing internal institutional support to scientists and engineers. Together, they empower a network of universities to help researchers learn how to translate fundamental research to the marketplace.

In 2021, the National Innovation Network will expand to include I-Corps Hubs. Nodes and Sites will continue to exist in the network, and NSF encourages existing network participants to begin working with I-Corps Hubs.

With its investment in I-Corps Hubs, NSF is building a structure that can expand the I-Corps program throughout the community of NSF-funded researchers, local and regional entrepreneurial communities, and other federal agencies. The resulting National Innovation Network will work collaboratively to create and sustain an ecosystem across the country.

The National Innovation Network is expected to be diverse and inclusive in all aspects, including research disciplines, personnel, institutions, tools, programs, capabilities, and geographic locations — providing the network with the flexibility to grow or reconfigure as needs arise.

NSF I-Corps Hubs will form the backbone of the National Innovation Network to enhance the nation’s ability to:

  • identify, develop and support promising ideas that can generate value;
  • create and implement tools, resources and training activities that enhance our nation’s innovation capacity;
  • gather, analyze, evaluate and utilize the data and insight resulting from the experiences of those participating in local, regional, and national programs;
  • provide opportunities to diverse communities of innovators; and
  • share and leverage effective innovation practices on a national scale to improve the quality of life for the U.S. citizenry.

Learn more about I-Corps Hubs