OpenFederal grant25-549

National Science Foundation National Innovation Corps Teams (NSF National I-CorpsTM Teams) Program

U.S. National Science FoundationCloses Oct 6, 2076(18256 days left)From $50,000

Does this fit your business?

This NSF program funds accredited two- and four-year US institutions of higher education, including community colleges, to provide entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding that helps NSF-funded faculty, students, and researchers translate foundational research into deep technology ventures. For-profit businesses, small businesses, and nonprofits cannot apply, so small-business owners should not spend time on this opportunity.

Best for
Accredited two- and four-year US institutions of higher education, Community colleges, Universities acting on behalf of NSF-funded faculty, students, and researchers
Not for
For-profit businesses, including small businesses, Nonprofit organizations, Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Training, Technical assistance, Planning
Who can apply
Colleges and universities
Award range
From $50,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is October 6, 2076.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The smallest award is $50,000, and total program funding is $12,000,000. A maximum per-award amount is not published.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only accredited two- and four-year US institutions of higher education, including community colleges, may submit proposals, acting on behalf of their faculty members. For-profit businesses and small businesses may not apply.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. Eligibility is limited to accredited US institutions of higher education; for-profit businesses and small businesses cannot apply.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. Proposals may only be submitted by accredited two- and four-year US institutions of higher education, so nonprofits are not eligible applicants.

Summary

Only accredited US two- and four-year institutions of higher education (including community colleges) may apply, acting on behalf of faculty. Funds support NSF I-Corps Teams: entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and ~$50k awards helping NSF-funded researchers test commercialization of deep-tech discoveries and assess product-market fit.

About this grant

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) continues to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that guides the output of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products, processes, and services that benefit all Americans . The goals of the NSF I-Corps p rogram are to spur translation of foundational research to the marketplace, to encourage collaboration between academia and industry, and to train NSF-funded faculty, students and other researchers in innovation and entrepreneurship skills.

The NSF National I-Corps program utilizes experiential learning of customer and industry discovery, coupled with first-hand investigation of industrial processes, to quickly assess the translational potential of inventions. The NSF National I-Corps program is designed to support the commercialization of "deep technologies,” those revolving around foundational discoveries in science and engineering. The NSF National I-Corps program addresses the skill and knowledge gaps associated with the transformation of basic research into deep technology ventures (DTVs).

The purpose of the NSF National I-Corps Teams program is to provide NSF-funded researchers additional support in the form of entrepreneurial education, mentoring, and funding to accelerate the translation of knowledge derived from foundational research into emerging products, processes, and services that may attract subsequent third-party funding. The outcomes of NSF National I-Corps Teams' projects are threefold: 1) a decision on a clear path forward based on an assessment of the business model, 2) substantial first-hand evidence for or against product-market fit, with the identification of customer segments and corresponding value propositions, and 3) a narrative of a technology demonstration for potential partners.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

Who May Serve as PI:

Multiple awards based on the same core technology generally will not be supported.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Technology
  • Science
  • Education
  • Economic development

Program contact

U.S. National Science Foundationgrantsgovsupport@nsf.gov703-292-4203

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