NSF I-Corps at 91社区

NSF I-CORPS

Program Overview
If you鈥檙e 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 91社区 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:

Winter Virtual Course

Course Dates: Jan. 16鈥揊eb. 19, 2026

Format: Virtual Course

Description: This four-week Regional I-Corps Course is comprised of virtual sessions, mentoring and a framework  to interact with key customers and industry stakeholders, while opening up access to $3,000 in funding.

Energy Tech I-Corps Regional Course ARPA-E Summit

Course Dates: March 16 - April 15, 2026

Format: Hybrid Course

Description: In this month long conference course (March 16 - April 15), a select group of researchers working on energy technology will "get out of their comfort zone" and talk to customers at the ARPA-E Summit to identify the best product-market fit. The course begins online and culminates with a trip to San Diego, CA for the 2026 . Up to $5,000 (depending on team size) in travel reimbursement funding will be available for accepted teams.

Program Team: 

headshot of Epiphany Mu帽oz

Epiphany Mu帽oz

Program Manager, NENY Student Engagement

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships
BI