The NSF National I-Corps Teams program is designed to help researchers turn their scientific discoveries into market-ready technologies, products, and services. It provides training, mentoring, and funding to help researchers understand the potential market for their inventions and develop them into viable business ventures.
Who it's for: This grant is for NSF-funded researchers who are working on foundational research in science and engineering and are interested in commercializing their discoveries. It is particularly aimed at those who want to learn about entrepreneurship and how to bring their innovations to market.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being NSF-funded
- Lack of foundational research
- No interest in commercialization
- Ineligible entity type
- Incomplete application
What You May Need
- Proof of NSF funding
- Detailed research summary
- Business model outline
- Market analysis
- Team member bios
- Budget proposal
- Letters of support
- Project timeline
- Commercialization plan
- Registration with NSF systems
Cautions
- Must be NSF-funded
- Focus on deep technologies
- Requires a strong commercialization plan
- Competitive selection process
- Ongoing reporting requirements
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants are those who have received NSF funding for their research. This program is specifically for researchers working on foundational research in science and engineering who are interested in commercializing their discoveries. It is important that applicants have a strong interest in entrepreneurship and the ability to develop their research into market-ready technologies.
Overview
This grant is for NSF-funded researchers who are working on foundational research in science and engineering and are interested in commercializing their discoveries. It is particularly aimed at those who want to learn about entrepreneurship and how to bring their innovations to market.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being NSF-funded
- Lack of foundational research
- No interest in commercialization
- Ineligible entity type
- Incomplete application
Use of Funds
The funds can be used for entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and activities that help assess the market potential of scientific discoveries. This includes customer discovery, industry engagement, and developing a business model.
Total Program Funding
$12,000,000
Cost Sharing
Not Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Sep 26, 2025
- Last Updated
- Sep 27, 2025
- Est. Application Due (AI estimate)
- Winter 2025
- Est. Award Date (AI estimate)
- Spring 2026
Application Checklist
- Verify NSF funding eligibility
- Prepare a detailed research summary
- Develop a business model outline
- Conduct a market analysis
- Gather team member bios
- Draft a budget proposal
- Obtain letters of support
- Create a project timeline
- Outline a commercialization plan
- Register with NSF systems