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NSF I-Corps Sites (Innovation Corps - National Innovation Network Sites) FAQs

1. What is the NSF I-Corps Sites program?

The Innovation Corps - National Innovation Network Sites Program (NSF I-Corps Sites) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant opportunity focused on strengthening innovation ecosystems nationwide. It supports the creation or expansion of organized, campus-based efforts (called "Sites") that help multiple research-based teams move discoveries closer to real-world use and commercialization.

2. What is the main purpose of an I-Corps Site?

An I-Corps Site is meant to be a repeatable, local mechanism for helping multiple early-stage innovations (ideas, devices, processes, and other intellectual outputs) move toward the marketplace. The emphasis is on building capacity, talent, and networks that translate research-based innovations into practical and scalable solutions that benefit society.

3. Does this program fund a single research project?

No. The program is not designed to fund one specific research project. Instead, it supports a structured Site that repeatedly trains, mentors, and supports multiple teams over time as they evaluate customer needs, market fit, and commercialization pathways.

4. Who is the program primarily intended for?

The program is intended for academic institutions that can host and operate an innovation or entrepreneurship Site, especially institutions that already have some innovation capacity such as an entrepreneurial center, technology transfer function, accelerator, or similar unit.

5. What types of existing institutional capacity are expected before applying?

The description indicates that applicant institutions are expected to already have some form of innovation or entrepreneurship infrastructure in place. Examples mentioned include an established entrepreneurial center, technology transfer function, accelerator, or similar unit that can serve as a foundation for a formal I-Corps Site.

6. What does an NSF I-Corps Site actually do on campus?

An I-Corps Site functions as a local hub that supports students and faculty working on projects with realistic commercialization potential. It provides practical infrastructure and support such as mentorship and guidance, access to resources, structured training, and networking opportunities.

7. What kinds of teams does an I-Corps Site support?

Sites are expected to nurture student and faculty teams developing innovations with realistic commercialization potential. The program is aimed at helping these teams learn to translate research outcomes into technologies, products, or processes with societal benefit.

8. What is meant by "commercialization potential" in this context?

Based on the opportunity description, commercialization potential refers to research-based discoveries that could plausibly become market-ready solutions (technologies, products, or processes). The Site helps teams test real customer and market needs, refine their value propositions, and identify viable pathways to commercialization.

9. What types of support and infrastructure can a Site provide to teams?

The description highlights mentorship and guidance, access to resources, structured training, and networking opportunities as core elements. The goal is to reduce early translation barriers and equip teams with the entrepreneurial mindset and connections needed to advance their innovations.

10. Does the program provide funding to teams for validation activities?

Yes. The program allows for modest funding to help teams validate their ideas, reduce early translation barriers, and become more competitive as they pursue next steps, including potentially applying as NSF I-Corps Teams.

11. How does an I-Corps Site connect to the national innovation network?

A major emphasis is building and formalizing local innovation ecosystems that connect to a broader national network. Sites are expected not only to coach internal teams but also to cultivate relationships among mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors, strengthening both local and national connections.

12. Why is networking emphasized so heavily in the program?

Networking is treated as essential because the program is built around the idea that strong connections and repeated exposure to entrepreneurial expertise accelerate the path from discovery to impact. Sites are intended to help teams gain external contacts and practical insights needed to evaluate and pursue commercialization.

13. What is the "on-ramp" role of an I-Corps Site?

The program describes the Site as an on-ramp that helps local teams develop the mindset, skills, and external contacts needed to test customer and market needs, refine value propositions, and determine viable commercialization pathways.

14. How does an I-Corps Site relate to NSF I-Corps Teams?

The Site can help teams become more competitive for the next steps, including potentially applying as NSF I-Corps Teams. In other words, a Site can serve as preparatory infrastructure that strengthens teams before they pursue further NSF I-Corps opportunities.

15. What government agency offers this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

16. What type of grant is this?

It is described as a discretionary grant under the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity category.

17. What is the funding opportunity number for this solicitation?

The funding opportunity number is 16-547.

18. Which NSF CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with multiple NSF CFDA numbers: 47.041, 47.049, 47.050, 47.070, 47.074, 47.075, 47.076, 47.079, and 47.083. This reflects that the program spans many NSF directorates and fields.

19. How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated about 25 awards.

20. What was the award ceiling?

The provided data lists the expected award ceiling as unspecified.

21. What was the closing date for this opportunity?

The closing date was May 25, 2016, and the original and current closing dates match in the provided information.

22. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full solicitation. However, the description makes clear that the core intended applicants are academic institutions capable of hosting and operating an organized innovation or entrepreneurship Site.

23. What is the broader goal of NSF I-Corps Sites for society?

The program aims to help research-based discoveries move closer to real-world use by guiding them toward technologies, products, and processes that can deliver clear benefits to society, while strengthening innovation ecosystems through structured training, mentoring, and network-building.