The National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps ( NSF I-Corps) mission is to improve the commercialization of research-based technology in the New England area, supported by year-round, hands-on courses and activities. Through the I-Corps opportunities, you'll get entrepreneurial training, support, and funding for customer discovery & your new technology - all while building your network of mentors, investors, and local entrepreneurs.
Not only do the program experiences help you gather evidence about product-market fit for your business idea, you could increase your chances of receiving an Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award.
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
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
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
Think of NSF I-Corps Spark 3-week courses as the scientific method mixed with an entrepreneurial spirit! You will form hypotheses about your potential customers and what the customers value. You will be given tools to test the customers' problems via conversations with real customers. You will analyze the data, adjust your hypothesis, and improve your business' plans.
As a founding partner institution, the university will help accelerate commercialization of research discoveries.
Two Engineering Professors from Purdue University recently published a study outlining the research benefits associated with participation in the NSF I-Corps program.
Learn more about I-Corps, the I-Corps regional and national programs, and the NSF I-Corps Hub: New England Region.
NSF I-Corps is a national initiative by the National Science Foundation that helps students, researchers, and faculty members explore the commercial potential of their innovative ideas or research. Through structured training, mentorship, and customer discovery, participants gain the tools and mindset to translate their work into real-world impact.
The I-Corps program is structured into three levels of increasing depth and intensity. Spark is an introductory program designed to give individuals or early teams a taste of innovation and customer discovery methods. Fusion is a follow-up program for more developed teams that want to explore market fit and build entrepreneurial skills. I-Corps Nationals is a competitive, grant-funded national program that supports selected teams with intensive mentorship and $50,000 in NSF funding to validate their business model.
Any Tufts-affiliated student, researcher, or faculty member with an idea, project, or research that could lead to an innovative solution is welcome to apply. Applicants from all departments, disciplines, and levels of experience are encouraged to get involved.
No, you do not need to have a startup or even a fully developed product. Especially for the Spark program, you can apply with just an early-stage idea, research concept, or a curiosity about innovation. Fusion and Nationals are more suitable for teams that have taken some initial steps in shaping their idea or customer segment.
Yes, you can apply to the Spark program as an individual. For Fusion and Nationals, teams are encouraged and sometimes required, but we can help connect you with potential teammates or collaborators from other programs and backgrounds.
The time commitment varies by program. Spark typically includes one or two short workshops across a few days. Fusion is a multi-week experience involving weekly meetings and guided work. Nationals is more intensive and spans seven weeks, with a strong emphasis on customer discovery and regular team sessions.
Yes, I-Corps Nationals provides each selected team with $50,000 in non-dilutive grant funding from the NSF. While Spark does not include funding, it offers critical preparation that strengthens your future applications and funding potential.
I-Corps is designed to help you assess whether your idea is worth building into a venture. While it doesn’t require you to form a company, many participants find the process so valuable that they continue on to launch startups, apply for federal grants, or join incubators and accelerators.
Yes, international students are welcome to join Spark and Fusion. For Nationals, because the NSF grant is federal funding, at least one member of the team must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. However, international students can still be key members of a participating team and receive full training and mentorship.
Not at all. Innovation comes from all fields, and I-Corps encourages participation from students and researchers across disciplines including healthcare, policy, education, the arts, and more. If you’re interested in creating impact with your ideas, I-Corps is a great place to start, regardless of your academic background.
If you'd like to schedule a call with Filip Čučkov, Director of the Auster Center for Applied Innovation Research, to learn more about available opportunities or upcoming cohorts, please feel free to email him directly at Icorps@tufts.edu.