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

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is a federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Through its National Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, NSF is working to expand the national innovation ecosystem by helping researchers move their discoveries closer to practical applications. The I-Corps Teams program provides entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and targeted funding to accelerate the translation of academic research into technologies, products, processes, and services with real-world impact. The I-Corps Teams program is designed to support NSF-funded researchers in assessing the commercial potential of their discoveries. The program emphasizes experiential learning, where teams engage directly with industry stakeholders and customers to evaluate market fit and identify opportunities for impact. By focusing on "deep technologies" rooted in fundamental science and engineering advances, NSF aims to bridge the gap between basic research and the formation of deep technology ventures. This approach ensures that cutting-edge research has a viable path toward commercialization. Funding from the I-Corps Teams program is intended to provide resources for entrepreneurial training and market validation. Support may include mentoring, travel for customer discovery, and other activities necessary to evaluate the potential applications of research-based innovations. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, which allows participating teams to focus fully on the translational and commercialization process. Awards typically begin at a floor of $50,000, with a total program allocation of $12 million. While the exact ceiling is not specified, awards are structured to meet the needs of teams engaged in intensive entrepreneurial development. Eligibility for the program is limited to accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher education, including community colleges and four-year universities. These institutions must apply on behalf of their faculty and research teams. If proposals involve international branch campuses of U.S. institutions, applicants must clearly demonstrate why project activities cannot be conducted at the U.S. campus and justify the benefits of the international involvement. Multiple awards based on the same core technology are generally not supported, which ensures broader program reach across diverse areas of research. Applications to the I-Corps Teams program are accepted on a rolling basis without fixed deadlines, which means proposals can be submitted at any time throughout the year. This rolling submission process supports flexibility for researchers who may wish to apply when their projects are ready for commercialization exploration. Because of this open timeline, the opportunity remains continuously active, and proposals are reviewed as they are submitted. NSF has not specified pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers, so teams may apply directly when prepared. Applicants must submit their proposals through the NSF process, typically via Grants.gov or Research.gov. The application process involves preparing standard NSF proposal documents that detail the research foundation, team structure, proposed entrepreneurial activities, and expected outcomes. Proposals are evaluated based on the potential for commercialization, the quality of the team’s engagement with market discovery, and the overall feasibility of transitioning basic research into a scalable product or service. Questions regarding the program can be directed to NSF Grants.gov support at grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov. Additional guidance is available in NSF Publication 25-549, which serves as the primary reference document for this funding opportunity.

Engage in customer discovery, demonstrate product-market fit, and show commercialization feasibility.