NSF I-Corps

NSF I-Corps is a seven-week experiential training program that provides $50,000 in non-dilutive funding to help researchers and scientists evaluate the commercial potential of their deep technologies. Teams must have an explicit connection to an institution of higher education and a technology based on discoveries in fundamental science or engineering. Participants are required to conduct at least 100 customer discovery interviews during the program to validate market fit. Since 2012, more than 2,500 teams have participated, with nearly 1,400 launching startups that have collectively raised over $3 billion in follow-on funding. Proposals are accepted at any time under solicitation NSF 25-549; there is no fixed deadline.