An opportunity for NSF Grantees – NSF is currently recruiting for Winter 2017 and Spring 2018 I-Corps Teams

I-Corps(tm) Teams does not fund research. It provides additional support in the form of entrepreneurial mentoring and funding ($50K) to help you explore commercialization of research outcomes and help you decide whether to launch a startup based around your innovation.

I-Corps(tm) Teams Eligibility:

The award that you were affiliated with, that would make you eligible for I-Corps(tm), should be current or should not have expired more than five years ago.
Eligibility for I-Corps extends to the PI, Co-PIs, Senior Personnel, Post-Docs, Professional Staff or others - provided you were named or supported under an award. For example, if you were a Post Doc supported by a grant you are eligible to pursue I-Corps funding.
The current or prior award could range from a modest single-investigator award to participation in a large, distributed center and also includes awards involving students such as REU Sites or Graduate Research Fellowships.

To date, NSF's I-Corps(tm) Teams Program has supported more than 1000 Teams - of those, many are now engaged in startups as a result of their I-Corps(tm) experience.

To find out more about NSF's I-Corps Teams Program please watch our introductory webinar here:
I-Corps(tm) Introductory Webinar

If you would like to pursue I-Corps support, please do the following:

1. Review the NSF I-Corps(tm) website, solicitation and FAQ.

• Website: www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/i-corps/teams.jsp
• FAQ: www.nsf.gov/pubs/2017/nsf17083/nsf17083.jsp

2. Form your team (see below).

Prepare an Executive Summary (2 pages maximum) that describes the following:

• Composition and roles (EL, PI, Mentor) of the team members proposing to undertake the commercialization feasibility research. Give a few sentences on each team member describing their current position and background relevant to the proposed I-Corps(tm) project.
• The Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) could be a Post -Doctoral scholar, graduate or other student or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape surrounding the innovation. The Entrepreneurial Lead should also be capable and have the will to support the transition of the technology, should the I-Corps(tm) project demonstrate the potential for commercial viability.
• The I-Corps(tm) Mentor (IM) will typically be an experienced entrepreneur with proximity to the institution and experience in transitioning technology out of Academic labs. The I-Corps(tm) Mentor must be a third-party resource and may be recommended by the proposing institution. The I-Corps(tm) Mentor will be responsible for advising the team through the I-Corps(tm) process and helping the team navigate the business ecosystem in the specific application area(s).
• The Principal Investigator (PI) / Technical Lead (TL) will typically be a faculty member, senior research scientist or postdoctoral scholar with deep and direct technical expertise in the actual core technology about which the I-Corps team is exploring commercial potential. Typically the Technical Lead will also serve as the proposal Principal Investigator (PI).
  • Relevant current/previous NSF awards that establishes the team's eligibility (i.e., I-Corps(tm) idea lineage)
  • Brief description of the technology and potential commercial applications
  • Brief description of the current commercialization plan

3. Send the Executive Summary to: icorps-apply@nsf.gov

Once we review your Executive Summary, you will be contacted about next steps.