National I-Corps Teams
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program is designed to prepare scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and to accelerate the transfer of cutting-edge, NSF-funded research into commercial success. Through extensive customer engagement, teams are able to validate potential applications of their technology. The curriculum is an immersive 7-week program designed to avoid building a product that no one wants.
Teams composed of academic researchers, student entrepreneurs and business mentors participate in the curriculum via online instruction. Teams are expected to complete at least 15 customer interviews a week, which means that over the 7-week course, teams will have contact with over 100 potential customers.
Teams composed of academic researchers, student entrepreneurs and business mentors participate in the curriculum via online instruction. Teams are expected to complete at least 15 customer interviews a week, which means that over the 7-week course, teams will have contact with over 100 potential customers.
The Application Process
- Form a team. Just like in UARF’s regional I-Corps program, your team should consist of a Technical Lead (faculty member or postdoc), Entrepreneurial Lead (postdoc, grad or undergrad student) and Mentor. Need help finding a mentor? Fill out the Executive Summary (see Step 2 below) and email it to [email protected]. We’ll help you think through how to find a Mentor and convince them to join your team.
- Submit an Executive Summary. Prepare an Executive Summary using this template. You should have most of the information you need to write the Executive Summary based on the work you did in UARF's regional I-Corps program. We can help! Email [email protected] to request examples of I-Corps Executive Summaries that have been funded, and get feedback on your Executive Summary draft.
- Connect with NSF. Fill out the official NSF I-Corps Teams Executive Summary Form. Once you’ve filled out this form, the National I-Corps staff will email you in 10-14 days to set up a series of 2-3 Screening Interviews to determine if you are ready for the National I-Corps program. Before you do your official interview, request a practice Screening Interview with Norman Rapino by emailing a copy of your Executive Summary to [email protected]. All Screening Interviews are done via video conference.
- Select your cohort. After completing successful Screening Interviews, you will be invited to select the cohort that your team would like to attend based on NSF’s list of upcoming cohort dates. Be sure all team members are available to attend all I-Corps session dates and times.
- Submit your I-Corps proposal. Submit a proposal in response to Solicitation 21-552 using this template. If you have been invited to submit a proposal, there is a 95% chance that you will be awarded the $50,000 grant. Unlike other federal grants, the application and approval process usually completes in under 30 days. Email [email protected] to get a template for the proposal narrative, as well as examples of previously funded proposals.
- Participate in I-Corps Teams. Get a $50,000 NSF award and participate in the 7-week I-Corps training. Let us know if you have any questions before or during your I-Corps training.
Benefits of the National I-Corps Program
- Understanding why your technology has value and to whom
- Finding a market for your technology that had not been previously considered
- Gaining an appreciation for what it takes to commercialize technology and the barriers to adoption
- An expanded network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors
- An accelerated approach to prevent years of wasted time, money and resources
- Learn from NSF-certified I-Corps instructors
- Get a $50,000 grant from the NSF
Requirements for Participating in the National I-Corps Program
- Attend all Zoom meetings, including the 3-day kickoff, weekly 90-minute meetings and the 1.5-day finale
- Complete all assignments, including watching Steve Blank videos, reading portions of The Startup Owner’s Manual and Business Model Generation, and preparing weekly presentations
- Perform at least 100 customer interviews
Required Team Composition
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Entrepreneurial Lead (EL)
This person must be committed to pursuing the project (including potentially seeing it forward after I-Corps). They attend all cohort meetings and are the primary person conducting customer discovery interviews and presenting on behalf of the team. EL’s are typically graduate students or postdocs and should expect to spend 30-40 hours per week on this project during the 7-week program. |
Industry Mentor (IM)
This person helps the team understand the industry landscape, manages confirmation bias during the customer discovery interviews, and connects with stakeholders in the industry. The IM should expect to spend approximately 15 hours per week on this project during the 7-week program (kickoff and finale weeks may require more than 15 hours). |
Technical Lead (TL)/
Primary Investigator (PI) I-Corps grants must go through a university. The PI is the faculty member who is authorized to receive the grant on behalf of the university. Most PIs also serve in the role of TL. In I-Corps, the TL supports the EL and attends all cohort meetings. The TL should expect to spend approximately 15 hours per week on this project during the 7-week program (kickoff and finale weeks may require more than 15 hours). |
Eligibility For I-Corps Teams
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Questions?Email us at [email protected] |