NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps)
The National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps program provides structured training in customer discovery—systematic validation of whether your innovation solves problems people actually have.
I-Corps Spark: Your Starting Point for Customer Discovery
- An evening workshop (3 hours) learning customer discovery fundamentals
- 2 coaching calls (1 hour each week) with experienced teaching staff
- Conduct at least 12 interviews with potential users and decision-makers
- Present learnings at a lessons-learned workshop (3 hours) with the cohort
Cost: Free
Funding: None
Time Commitment: 15-20 hours over 3 weeks
Team: Individual
Who Should Apply: Researchers curious about potential applications for their research, faculty seeking market evidence for grants, and anyone wanting to discover needs for solutions to real-world problems
Outcome: Clear understanding of customer problems, evidence about market opportunity, and eligibility for the follow-on I-Corps Fusion program
I-Corps Fusion: Deepen Your Discovery
- Conduct 12 additional customer interviews
- Receive ongoing coaching and mentorship
- Refine value proposition based on evidence
- Craft final presentation synthesizing learnings
- Access funding in support of customer discovery
Cost: Free
Funding: $1,500
Time Commitment: 15-20 hours over 3 or more weeks
Team: Individual
Who Should Apply: Spark graduates wanting a more profound understanding, researchers preparing for SBIR/STTR, and NSF TTP grant applications
Outcome: Comprehensive market validation, refined value proposition, potential National NSF I-Corps qualification
I-Corps Nationals: Intensive Translation Training
- 100+ structured customer interviews
- Weekly training sessions with expert instructors
- Work with experienced industry mentors
- Develop a comprehensive business model canvas
- Present findings to investors and an industry panel
Cost: Free
Funding: $50,000
Time Commitment: 15-20 hours per week for 7 weeks
Team: Technical lead, entrepreneurial lead, and industry mentor
Who Should Apply: Teams committed to exploring commercialization seriously, technologies at appropriate maturity
Outcome: Deep market understanding, validated business model, extensive network, foundation for major funding