The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) is an immersive, experiential program designed to help university researchers translate discoveries and inventions into real-world impact.
Through I-Corps, participants evaluate their technologies through an entrepreneurial lens—gaining the tools, insights, and frameworks needed to accelerate the economic and societal value of their work.
Program Goals
Through this experiential training—focused on gathering insights beyond the walls of the university—participants reduce the risks associated with translating research into practical applications.
Whether the outcome is launching a startup, pursuing licensing opportunities, or strengthening industry collaborations, I-Corps equips participants with evidence-based insights. These insights improve decision-making, enhance competitiveness for funding opportunities, and position teams to move forward with greater confidence.
Eligibility
I-Corps is open to faculty, students, staff, and community innovators interested in exploring the potential applications of their work. Participants are expected to attend all scheduled cohort sessions and commit approximately 5–7+ hours per week during the program. This time is primarily spent identifying, scheduling, and conducting customer discovery interviews. A willingness to remain open-minded throughout the process is essential, as insights gained may significantly shift initial assumptions about the technology, product, or target market. Participants should also be prepared to focus on asking questions and learning from potential users rather than presenting or promoting their solution, as this approach leads to more meaningful and actionable feedback.
Regional Cohorts
Regional I-Corps programs are shorter, accessible cohorts that introduce participants to customer discovery and the lean startup methodology. These programs are open to a broad range of ideas and do not require prior commercialization experience.
The University of Arkansas hosts Regional cohorts and also participates in additional programs across the Mid-South Hub.
Other Regional Cohorts offered through the HubUniversity of Arkansas Regional Program Summary
Summer 2026
- June 11, 2 – 4pm
- June 18, 2 – 4pm
- June 25, 2 – 4pm
- July 2, 2 – 4pm
- July 9, gap week
- July 16, 2 – 4pm
Registration is open until May 28th
Application for SummerThe Summer Cohort is conducted virtually and provides a collaborative environment to learn and apply customer discovery principles.
Support
If you are interested in I-Corps and want to learn more, you can fill out this form or contact Erin Drewke at eedrewke@uark.edu.
We are happy to help you determine fit, identify next steps, and connect you with available opportunities through the University of Arkansas and the Mid-South I-Corps Hub.
National Cohorts
The National Science Foundation’s I-Corps Teams program is an intensive, seven-week program designed for teams ready to further explore the commercial potential of their technology. Through a structured customer discovery process, participants conduct 100+ interviews to test assumptions, refine their value proposition, and evaluate viable pathways forward. The program emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, helping teams determine whether to pursue a startup, licensing opportunity, or additional development. National I-Corps also provides access to experienced instructors, mentors, and a broader innovation network, along with non-dilutive funding to support customer discovery activities.
Team Composition
Each team must consist of:
- Technical Lead (PI): An individual with deep technical expertise in innovation.
- Entrepreneurial Lead: A person with a commitment to investigate the commercial potential of the technology.
- Industry Mentor: An experienced entrepreneur or business leader who can provide mentorship. (We can help you connect with one)