NSF National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-Corps (TM) Teams) program

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking proposals for the NSF National I-Corps Teams program, which aims to support the commercialization of "deep technologies" resulting from foundational research. The program provides entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding to NSF-funded researchers to accelerate the translation of knowledge into emerging products, processes, and services. The outcomes of NSF National I-Corps Teams' projects include a decision on a clear path forward based on an assessment of the business model, substantial first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit, and a narrative of a technology demonstration for potential partners. • The program is designed to support the commercialization of deep technologies, those revolving around foundational discoveries in science and engineering. • The program addresses the skill and knowledge gaps associated with the transformation of basic research into deep technology ventures (DTVs). • The program provides funding to support the translation of knowledge into emerging products, processes, and services. • The program is open to institutions of higher education, including community colleges, and other eligible organizations. • The program requires a team of at least two people, including a principal investigator and an entrepreneurial lead.