Time: ~20 minutes

Congratulations on completing this Regional I-Corps Jumpstart Course! You have come a long way in finding product-market fit, learning how to interview stakeholders, and assessing market opportunities. The extra good news is that there is a lot more customer discovery left to do! Here are some additional resources and potential funding opportunities that may be helpful as you take your project forward:

National NSF I-Corps Teams

This program provides teams with $50,000 to continue doing customer discovery on their deep tech, university-based innovations. Teams participate in a 7-week, 100 interview program to accelerate their progress faster and prepare for further NSF grants such as SBIR/STTR and PFI (more info below). More info found here and here.

NSF PFI

The Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) Program within the NSF Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP) offers researchers from all disciplines of science and engineering funded by NSF the opportunity to perform translational research and technology development, catalyze partnerships, and accelerate the transition of discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace for societal benefit. This program supports collaborations between academia and industry to advance research from the laboratory to the marketplace. It aims to promote technology transfer, facilitate the commercialization of innovative technologies, and encourage partnerships between research institutions and industry. More info here.

SBIR/STTR

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. More info here.

Phase I. The objective of Phase I is to establish the technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R/R&D efforts and to determine the quality of performance of the small business awardee organization prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. SBIR/STTR Phase I awards are generally $50,000 - $250,000 for 6 months (SBIR) or 1 year (STTR).
Phase II. The objective of Phase II is to continue the R/R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II. Typically, only Phase I awardees are eligible for a Phase II award. SBIR/STTR Phase II awards are generally $750,000 for 2 years.
Phase III. The objective of Phase III, where appropriate, is for the small business to pursue commercialization objectives resulting from the Phase I/II R/R&D activities. The SBIR/STTR programs do not fund Phase III. At some Federal agencies, Phase III may involve follow-on non-SBIR/STTR funded R&D or production contracts for products, processes or services intended for use by the U.S. Government.

Other NSF Funding Opportunities

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program: While not directly focused on commercialization, the REU program provides funding to institutions to support undergraduate students in engaging in research experiences. These experiences can lead to innovative ideas and potential commercialization opportunities.
Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program: The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive the nation's economy. While it may not be a direct source of commercialization funding, it can indirectly contribute to workforce development in fields with commercial potential.
NSF Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) and Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Programs: These programs provide funding for the development of research infrastructure, faculty development, and capacity building in areas of strategic importance. While not specifically targeted at commercialization, they can support research that has potential for commercial impact.
NSF Convergence Accelerator: This program focuses on accelerating the transition of basic research into practice and commercialization by supporting interdisciplinary teams working on high-impact societal challenges. It provides funding, mentorship, and resources to help drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Industry University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC): IUCRCs facilitate industry-university collaborations that are focused on pre-competitive research. These centers are designed to accelerate the transfer of technology from academia to industry by fostering close relationships and collaborative research.

Other

In addition to federal grant opportunities available, most states have an economic development office that may be helpful in finding state-based awards and grant opportunities. Many universities also have technology transfer offices that can help with patenting and IP issues as well as finding more resources and mentorship. If you need additional information on other opportunities or resources, contact info@greatlakesicorps.org.