This page contains resources that guide prospective and current Teams and Hubs of the U.S. National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program through the application process.
NSF I-Corps™ Teams webinars
Monthly I-Corps Teams webinars
Join a monthly webinar to learn about the I-Corps Teams program eligibility and requirements, team composition selection, and how to apply and ask questions about the program.
Before attending a webinar, please review the solicitation and FAQ.
I-Corps Teams overview
Application resources
The resources below pertain to the I-Corps Teams program:
- View the FAQ page to learn about program eligibility, forming a team, the training curriculum, budget preparation and grant management.
- View the step-by-step guide to learn how to create an I-Corps account and submit an executive summary in the application portal.
Lab-to-Market
The Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships accelerates the translation of research results to practical use through its Lab-to-Market Platform. I-Corps, America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF are programs within the directorate providing pathways for researchers, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs to move their ideas from the laboratory to the market and society.
Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation
The NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program (also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF) invests in nearly 400 startups across the U.S. each year, with an annual investment of $300 million. These startups create the next game-changing technologies — often based on fundamental science or engineering — in need of research and development to create new products, services, and other scalable solutions. Most of the startups have fewer than five employees, are recently formed and haven't received funding from the government before. NSF piloted the SBIR program for the Federal Government in the 1970s and 1980s; today, 11 federal agencies participate in the SBIR program.
Contact us
Email us with your questions at I-CORPS@nsf.gov
I-Corps Program Directors:
- Jaime Camelio
- Ruth Shuman
- Molly Wasko
Ready to apply?
I-Corps Teams
The I-Corps Teams program supports researchers interested in entrepreneurial education and mentoring, with the goal of reducing the time it takes to bring technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. There are two pathways for eligibility to the National I-Corps program.
I-Corps Hubs
I-Corps Hubs form the operational backbone of the National Innovation Network. Learn about their responsibilities and the criteria for joining a Hub or creating a new one.
Biennial Reports
I-Corps training and infrastructure together represent an important investment for NSF and the nation, as directed by the "American Innovation and Competitiveness Act," Public Law 114-329, Section 601.
As such, NSF is required to issue a report on I-Corps' efficacy every two years, including metrics from each federal agency participating in the program.
These reports outline in detail just how much impact I-Corps is having in the research and business communities.
Impact
Impact data
Learn about I-Corps' contributions to training the scientific workforce, creating use-based technologies, and boosting the economy.
Stories
The I-Corps training program has helped launch more than 1,000 startups. Read about the remarkable work performed by our funded researchers and their role in fostering technology commercialization.