Limited Submission Opportunity: NSF Innovation Corps Hubs Program (I-CorpsTM Hubs)
NSF Innovation Corps Hubs Program (I-CorpsTM Hubs)
URL: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2020/nsf20529/nsf20529.htm
OBJECTIVES:
The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to further develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that guides the output of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products, and services that benefit society. The goal of the NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program, created in 2011 by NSF, has been and will continue to be to reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas and technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. The 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 I-Corps Program is designed to support the commercialization of so-called “deep technologies,” or those revolving around fundamental discoveries in science and engineering. The I-Corps program addresses the skill and knowledge gap associated with the transformation of basic research into deep technology ventures (DTVs).
In the program’s initial phase, I-Corps Nodes and Sites were funded separately to serve as the backbone of the National Innovation Network (NIN). Previous solicitations for NSF I-Corps Nodes and NSF I-Corps Sites have now been archived. This new solicitation for I-Corps Hubs has been informed by feedback received from the community and lessons learned over the first eight years of the program.
In 2017, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA, Public Law 114-329, Sec. 601) formally authorized and directed the expansion of the NSF I-Corps Program. Through this solicitation, NSF seeks to evolve the current structure, in which NSF I-Corps Teams, Nodes, and Sites are funded through separate programs, toward a more integrated operational model capable of sustained operation at the scope and scale required to support the expansion of the NSF I-Corps Program as directed by AICA. In this more integrated model, I-Corps Hubs, comprising a Principal and at least two Partner institutions, form the backbone of the NIN, and each Hub has at least five Affiliates that extend the network to other institutions. Each Hub is funded through a single award. Throughout this solicitation, the term “Hub” refers to all associated organizations identified in a proposal responding to this solicitation, including the Principal, Partners, and Affiliates.
FUNDING INFORMATION: up to $3,000,000 for 5 years
ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS:
The PI must be at the Principal (defined in Section II: Program Description) institution and must be in a senior academic administrative role at the level of Dean or higher.
Each Partner (defined in Section II: Program Description) institution must identify a senior academic administrator at the level of Dean or higher to be included as Senior Personnel.
The Principal must have at least two faculty members, one as PI, and one as co-PI.
Each Partner must have at least two faculty members serving in Senior Personnel roles.
Each Affiliate must include at least one faculty member serving in a Senior Personnel role.
INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS:
Interested investigators should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by DATE: 2/21/2020
- Questions outlined in InfoReady Review application;
- A brief statement (up to 2 pages) by the candidate describing their scientific achievements and proposed project including proposed senior personnel for all roles mentioned in the eligibility restrictions;
- A brief budget outline for the proposed research
- Up-to-date CV or biosketch.
A faculty committee drawn from both campuses will review internal proposals and select nominees.
DEADLINES:
Internal Materials Due: Friday, February 21, 2020
Sponsor Deadline: Tuesday, April 14, 2020