NSF I-Corps at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ«

NSF I-CORPS

Program Overview
If you’re a academic researcher, a tech inventor, or a startup founder, National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) is for you.  

The program empowers startup founders to transform their novel products into real-world impacts through experiential learning in technology commercialization. The NSF I-Corps courses help participants gain insights into industry needs and challenges, as well as accelerate the translation of research discoveries to products and services that benefit society.

As part of the , the ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« partner program offers multiple Regional I-Corps Customer Discovery Courses per year. 

Benefits of Participation
Participants in the NSF I-Corps program will:

  • Explore pathways to transition their innovations to real-world applications.
  • Learn valuable customer discovery skills and connect with key industry stakeholders.
  • Eligibility to apply for up to $3000 in micro-grant funding for customer and industry outreach, conference travel, and prototyping. 
  • Gain a better understanding of technology commercialization.
  • Explore essential considerations for launching a successful tech startup. 
  • Participate in innovation and entrepreneurship career development. 
  • Potentially qualify for the national-level ($50,000 grant) 

Program Structure
The month-long Regional I-Corps Courses include: 

  • Online curriculum modules and assignments in Canvas LMS;
  • 1-2 weekly online lecture sessions with instructors experienced in technology commercialization and startup entrepreneurship; 
  • 2 office hours sections with instructors; 
  • Experiential learning customer discovery interview assignments.  

Eligibility Criteria

I-Corps is designed for academic researchers and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of their work and acquiring entrepreneurial skills. To qualify, the applicant team should: 

  • Have 1-3 members (faculty, staff, students, postdocs), who can commit to participating in all class sessions
  • Have a tech innovation or startup beyond the ideation stage with some
  • Be interested in learning about tech commercialization and entrepreneurship
  • While startups and community teams will be accepted, preference will be given to academic teams

Upcoming Courses:

Renewable Energy I-Corps Regional Course 
RE+ Conference in Las Vegas, NV 

Course Dates: August 16–September 17, 2025

Format: Hybrid Course

Description: In this ~month long conference course (August 18 - September 17), a select group of researchers working on Renewable Energy technology will "get out of their comfort zone" and talk to customers at the RE+ conference to identify the best product-market fit. The course begins online and culminates with a trip to Las Vegas, NV for the 2025 RE+ Conference. 

Battery I-Corps Regional Hybrid Course
Battery Show North America in Detroit, MI

Course Dates: September 15–October, 2025

Format: Hybrid Course

Description: This I-Corps Hybrid Course provides researchers and innovators across disciplines experiential training in customer discovery, product-market fit, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization. The program includes an in-person customer discovery and market assessment experience at , October 6–9, 2025 in Detroit, M.I. 

Check back soon for application due date and link

Fall (Oct.) Virtual Course

Course Dates: October 13–November, 2025

Format: Virtual Course

Description: This I-Corps Virtual Course provides researchers and innovators across disciplines experiential training in customer discovery, product-market fit, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization.

Check back soon for application due date and link

Program Team: 

headshot of Epiphany Muñoz

Epiphany Muñoz

Program Manager, NENY Student Engagement

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships
BI