Fund Details
Innovation Corps Sites Program (I-Corps Sites)/ NSF 14-547
Program Number
NSF 14-547
Total Amount Available from Sponsor for All Awards
The NSF will fund up to 15 I-Corps sites up to 1.5
Award Duration
up to three years
Sponsor Name
National Science Foundation
Nominations Available to Institution
1
Sponsor Deadline
6/09/2015

Brief Description:

A competitive proposal for an I-Corps Site will be led by an institution having an already existing unit whose goal is to assist faculty, students and other academic personnel to engage in entrepreneurial activities and transition scientific and technological innovations. Such units are typically called: innovation centers, entrepreneurial centers, technology incubators, etc. Their mission is to provide resources to individuals and teams in the form of space, seed funding, entrepreneurial mentoring, curriculum, or other assets needed to transition technology into the marketplace. The topical focus of a proposed project must be in an area(s) of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) normally supported by the NSF. Harvard University, as one institution, may submit one proposal to the NSF for this opportunity. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research will facilitate the internal process to select a proposal to go forward.

Description:

A competitive proposal for an I-Corps Site will be led by an institution having an already existing unit whose goal is to assist faculty, students and other academic personnel to engage in entrepreneurial activities and transition scientific and technological innovations. Such units are typically called: innovation centers, entrepreneurial centers, technology incubators, etc. Their mission is to provide resources to individuals and teams in the form of space, seed funding, entrepreneurial mentoring, curriculum, or other assets needed to transition technology into the marketplace. The topical focus of a proposed project must be in an area(s) of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) normally supported by the NSF. Harvard University, as one institution, may submit one proposal to the NSF for this opportunity. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research will facilitate the internal process to select a proposal.
During the startup phase of the NSF's I-Corps Sites Program, collaborative proposals from multiple institutions are discouraged. Exceptions can be made for institutions that have collaborative entrepreneurial centers already in place. Applicants who wish to seek an exception for their proposal are asked to contact the Research Administration Department at the school where they hold their primary appointment. A list of contacts by school is available here

The formation of the I-Corps Site Team for this proposal should include an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL), an Academic Lead (AL) and a Mentor. The NSF's description of who should inhabit each role is described below:
The Entrepreneurial Lead could be a Post-Doctoral scholar, graduate student, undergraduate or other student, or professional staff, with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape surrounding the innovation. In rare circumstances, with approval of a cognizant NSF I-Corps Program Officer, it also could be a faculty member. The Entrepreneurial Lead should also be capable and have the will to support the transition of the technology, should the project demonstrate the potential for commercial viability.
The Mentor will typically be an experienced or emerging entrepreneur with proximity to the institution and experience in transitioning technology out of academic labs. The Mentor is a third-party resource and may be recommended by the proposing institution or may be an employee of the institution. The Mentor will be responsible for guiding the team forward and tracking progress.
The Academic Lead will be responsible for overall project management. The AL must have an academic appointment that would normally qualify the AL to submit proposals or play the role of a PI in subsequent submissions to NSF.
Funding for a I-Corps site cannot exceed three years. The expectation is th at an I-Corps site will contribute $1,000-$3,000 total to individual teams sponsored by the I-Corps site and that the duration of the support will typically last from 1 to 3 months. Fully-Funded I-Corps teams are expected to fund at least 30 teams per year.

Application Information:

Harvard University, as one institution, may submit one proposal to the NSF for this opportunity. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research will facilitate the internal process to select one proposal for submission.
Applicants are asked to submit the following (this information will appear again on other screens during the application process)

  • The name and URL of the unit at Harvard submitting an internal application
  • The total amount of funding requested

A two (2) page unit narrative that includes the following:

A description of the innovation services the center currently provides.

How does the center currently attract individuals or teams to receive support from the center, and how many individuals/teams have received support since the center opened?

  • CV's of the proposed Entrepreneurial Lead, Mentor, and Academic Lead
  • A budget narrative, please include any current or pending support for the center.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

The full funding announcement for NSF 14-547 may be seen here

Questions about the internal funding application or other funding opportunities should be directed to the Research Administration or Sponsored Research Department at the school where an applicant holds their primary appointment. A list of who to contact by school is available here

Questions or comments about HUFP (Harvard University Funding Portal) should be directed to Autumn Bennett in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Autumn Bennett at autumn_bennett@harvard.edu

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