The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program trains researchers to bring promising ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.

The NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub is part of a nationwide NSF-funded network of universities formed to accelerate the economic impact of research – delivering benefits in health equity, clean energy, agriculture and more – while building skills and opportunities among researchers from all backgrounds, including those historically underrepresented in entrepreneurship.

With $15 million in funding from NSF over five years, the Hub provides entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and resources to enable researchers to form startup companies that translate laboratory discoveries into breakthrough products and services. The Hub employs the NSF I-Corps training approach, which focuses on understanding the needs of potential customers, first-hand exploration of industrial processes and practices, and confronting the challenges of creating successful ventures based on scientific discoveries.

Are you up to the challenge? Visit our Engage page to learn how to apply.

When you participate in I-Corps, you receive step-by-step support on your path as you develop your technology and learn about your product market. 

Each team has unique backgrounds, goals and innovations. As such, the I-Corps path includes built-in "off-ramps" should you decide to pivot or change direction throughout the course of your journey. 

Possible steps on your path include $275,000 and $1,000,000 grants from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These highly competitive grants encourage small businesses to explore their technological and commercial potential.

Teams that complete the national I-Corps program are well positioned to apply for SBIR and STTR grants.

Watch this video to learn about the paths you could take through I-Corps, all the way up to obtaining funding from investors.