NATIONAL NSF I-CORPSTM TEAMS

Program Details

The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-CorpsTM) Teams 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; the number one reason startups fail.

Teams—composed of academic researchers, student entrepreneurs and business mentors—participate in the curriculum via online instruction and on-site activities through one of the NSF I-CorpsTM Hubs. Teams are expected to complete at least fifteen customer interviews a week, which means that over the 7-week course, teams will have contact with over 100 potential customers. For more information on the I-Corps program, visit the NSF I-Corps Teams page.

Benefits of the Program

  • Understand why your technology has value and to whom.
  • Find a market for your technology that has not been previously considered.
  • Gain an appreciation for what it takes to commercialize technology and the barriers to adoption.
  • Access an expanded network of like-minded peers, instructors, investors, customers, and mentors.
  • The accelerated approach of the program can prevent years of wasted time, money and resources.
  • Receive a $50,000 grant from the NSF.
  • The program is supported by NSF-Certified I-Corps instructors.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Complete a local or regional I-Corps program or have NSF lineage from a prior NSF research grant within the last 5 years
  • Develop a deep technology/STEM innovation
  • Have University owned Intellectual Property
  • Open to the customer discovery process
  • Commit to attending all cohort meetings and conducting 100 customer discovery interviews during the 7-week cohort

Required Team Composition

  • 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, Ph.D. students, or postdocs and should expect to spend approximately 40 hours per week on this project during the 7-week program.
  • 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. The TL may be another graduate student or postdoc from the faculty member’s lab. 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).
  • Industry Mentor (IM): This person helps the team understand the industry landscape, manages confirmation bias during the customer discovery interviews, and connects them 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).

Application Process

Applying to the NSF I-Corps Teams program can be competitive, and cohorts often fill up months in advance. Follow the steps below to begin your application.

The application process for NSF I-Corps Teams differs depending on if the Team applying has NSF Lineage.

Teams/Researchers who have a research award from the NSF that has been active within the past five years qualify as having NSF Linage. This includes NSF-funded consortia such as the Industry University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) and Engineering Research Centers (ERC).

Application Process for Teams without NSF Lineage

  1. Teams must complete a local or regional Great Lakes I-Corps Hub program.
  2. Upon completion, an instructor or Hub personnel may recommend teams for the NSF I-Corps Teams program. Course evaluations play a role in determining a team’s eligibility for recommendation.
  3. When the Hub application for NSF I-Corps Teams opens, teams submit their application, and an administrative review is conducted to confirm eligibility.
  4. Teams that advance to the finalist stage will be interviewed by a selection panel. All team members must be present.
  5. After the interviews, the panel selects the top 3-4 teams. The Hub will support these top teams by providing letters of recommendation.
  6. Prepare an Executive Summary with assistance from the Hub.
  7. Submit the Executive Summary and the letter of recommendation to NSF.
  8. Participate in a screening interview with a Program Officer if requested by NSF.
  9. If invited by NSF, submit a proposal in response to Solicitation 21-552.

Application Windows for the 2026 National NSF I-Corps Teams Cohorts (Dates to receive Hub recommendation and support)

  • Application window for the NSF I-Corps Teams Winter Cohorts:
    • Open August 13, 2025
    • Close August 22, 2025
    • Decisions by September 8, 2025
  • Application window for the NSF I-Corps Teams Spring Cohorts:
    • Open October 13, 2025
    • Close October 22, 2025
    • Decisions by November 7, 2025
  • Application window for the NSF I-Corps Teams Summer Cohorts:
    • Open December 10, 2025
    • Close December 19, 2025
    • Decisions by January 15, 2026
  • Application window for the NSF I-Corps Teams Fall Cohorts:
    • Open April 13, 2026
    • Close April 22, 2026
    • Decisions by May 5, 2026

Application Process for Teams with NSF Lineage

  1. Understand and commit to all participation requirements for NSF I-Corps: Upcoming Dates, FAQ’s, and Introductory Webinar.
  2. Completion of a local or regional I-Corps program is not required, but may be requested by NSF.
  3. Prepare an Executive Summary using this template.
  4. Request a preparation interview with the Great Lakes I-Corps Application Support Team by emailing info@greatlakesicorps.org. This is optional, but highly recommended.
  5. Submit the Executive Summary to NSF. (A letter of recommendation is not required for teams with NSF Lineage)
  6. You will be contacted by NSF to participate in a screening interview.
  7. If invited by NSF, submit a proposal in response to Solicitation 21-552.