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I-Corps™

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Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), I-Corps is an immersive training program helping innovators transition their technology concepts from the lab to the marketplace. During I-Corps, teams explore the commercial potential of their research/innovation through structured “customer discovery” interviews with key stakeholders. 

Rutgers University is one of the partner institutions of the NSF I-Corps Northeast Region Hub. Rutgers and Hub partners offer many opportunities and programs for researchers/innovators, and all are available to the Rutgers community (faculty, staff, students, post-docs, and alumni). Our programs are also open to innovators in the Northeast region.

I-Corps Program Pathways:

I-Corps offers a structured pathway with several distinct programs:

Novus: A free half-day workshop designed for individuals or teams new to the I-Corps methodology. The Novus program showcases the customer discovery technique and provides an opportunity for individuals to find potential teammates. Rutgers hosts Novus programs in person on various campuses.

The following programs include training, mentorship, funding, and information on next-steps resources:

Propelus: Our flagship 4-session regional program for teams of two or more with a technology-based innovation. Teams must apply, and those who successfully complete program requirements (including conducting 20+ interviews) are eligible for a $1,500 stipend. Rutgers typically hosts Propelus Cohorts in the winter, summer, and fall, but programs are also available at partner schools in the Northeast Region I-Corps Hub. Apply to Propelus HERE.

Ascendus: A 7-week advanced training program for graduates of Propelus, run by the Northeast Region I-Corps Hub. This program includes a $2,000 stipend. The Ascendus curriculum mirrors the National I-Corps Program.

National I-Corps Teams: A rigorous 7-week national program for teams with university-owned innovations. Applicants must have either a relevant and related NSF grant or have completed a regional I-Corps training program. Teams accepted into this program complete 100+ customer discovery interviews and receive a $50,000 NSF grant.

Upcoming Rutgers Event:

Novus@Rutgers CABM (Piscataway, NJ) – A half-day Introduction to I-Corps

Learn about the impact your research or innovation could have in solving real-world problems by attending our Novus I-Corps Program at Rutgers CABM, co-sponsored by Rutgers Office for Research, and NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub. Novus is open to individuals simply interested in innovation or those who are ready to get help commercializing their research/technology.

Day & Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Rutgers Center for Advanced Biotechnology & Medicine, 679 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ;
Room: CABM Room 010
REGISTER HERE by January 15

The introductory Novus I-Corps Program provides an opportunity for individuals and teams with innovations to:

  • Shift your mindset from science and technology to the people it could benefit
  • Understand how Customer Discovery drives innovation (and gets you out of the building!)
  • Meet local I-Corps Program Leaders and Tech Transfer Officers to guide your journey
  • Network with innovation-minded individuals to help form teams or guide your next steps
  • Learn how NIH-funded researchers can become eligible for future NSF funding through the NSF I-Corps Program
  • Get tips for success from an I-Corps Alumni Panel sharing their experience

    A Networking Lunch will be provided during, so please RSVP HERE by Thursday, January 15, 2026

Propelus I-Corps
4-Session Regional Training


The Propelus Regional I-Corps Program trains innovators in how to explore the market potential of their research/technology by conducting 20+ interviews with potential customers. Teams can receive NSF-funded stipends of up to $1500 for Customer Discovery activities. Completion of the regional Propelus program is a requirement to pursue the National I-Corps program and a $50k NSF award or the Ascendus I-Corps Program.  I-Corps alumni have increased chances of success in receiving $300k+ SBIR/STTR awards, other federal funding, or raising investment for their tech-based startup companies. We highly encourage academic research teams of 2+, and all emerging startups (in the Northeast region) with 2+ tech-enabled innovations to apply. 

Applications received will be considered for our winter cohort in 2026.

APPLY to Propelus (Regional I-Corps Program)

About Rutgers Propelus I-Corps

The program helps teams of innovators explore the commercial potential of their research/innovation through “customer discovery” interviews with key stakeholders.

Faculty, staff and student teams of 2 or more from ALL Rutgers campuses/schools, alumni, who have a technology-based innovation are invited to apply for this impactful 4-session program. We also accept teams of innovators located in the Northeast Region who are not affiliated with a school or university.

The I-Corps teaching team has one main goal – to support innovators in transitioning their technology concept(s) into the marketplace.  Our program is hybrid, with Sessions 1 and 4 held in-person, and the middle two sessions held via Zoom.

To help reimburse teams for customer discovery expenses, teams can earn a $1500 NSF Grant (paid at the end of the program as a stipend after successful completion) I-Corps incorporates numerous entrepreneurial concepts/methodologies, including the Lean Startup, and the Business Model Canvas.

Apply as a team

How can I learn more?

If you are interested in I-Corps, we suggest you attend an Information Session or Novus (half day) Intro to I-Corps program. For specific questions, email us at i-corps@research.rutgers.edu. We are also willing to meet with you to provide more information. Innovators (Faculty, Staff and students and community members) can participate in any programs or training offered through the Northeast Region I-Corps Hub. See the Hub calendar for opportunities or programs offered at partner schools.

If you are working on an innovation, have a team of two or more, and want to apply to the Regional program (Propelus), use the APPLY AS A TEAM link above. See the team members tab for a description of the roles of team members to help you complete your application.

Not ready to apply – we encourage you to sign up for the Hub newsletter here to learn about all upcoming opportunities.

Benefits of participating in I-Corps™ 

  • Gain a deeper knowledge of the market; discover new market applications for your innovation – “the Pivot”
  • Learn what it takes to commercialize technology and overcome barriers; improve future fundability
  • Earn designation as an NSF-funded project >eligible to apply for the National NSF I-Corps™ and a $50k grant
  • Receive a stipend for up to $1500 for Customer Discovery and related expenses
  • Foster new collaborations; integrate into the larger Rutgers and regional innovation ecosystem
  • Connect to “next steps” resources

For questions, you can email i-corps@research.rutgers.edu. We are also happy to meet with you to discuss upcoming programs and opportunities.

Propelus Application Guidelines and Process

Who can apply to Propelus?
Rutgers faculty, staff and students on ALL campuses and alumni are eligible to apply to the NE I-Corps Hub cohorts.   Cohorts are also open to all schools who are members of the Hub and those in the region. You must have two or more team members to be accepted into the Regional Program.   See information about forming an I-Corps team here .

Note: If you are interested in participating in I-Corps as an Entrepreneurial Lead but don’t have an innovation, we may be able to match you with a team. We also suggest you attend a Novus Program to meet our team and other regional innovators in person.

Where do I-Corps innovations come from?
Hub team ideas or projects can originate from faculty or staff research (funded or unfunded), student work, or capstone projects, other student work, or personal projects. Many projects are in areas of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), normally supported by the National Science Foundation, or other federal agency. but that is not a requirement.  email us at i-corps@research.rutgers.edu with any eligibility questions.

When do I submit my application?
We have a rolling interview process and most teams that apply will be contacted to schedule a 20 minute Zoom interview with the Application Review Committee. Rutgers Cohort Application deadlines are typically listed on this page. See the Hub calendar for virtual opportunities or programs offered at partner schools.

Learn more in the following articles:

Visit the Hub News page for programs, events, funding and more, sign up for the Hub Newsletter


Note: We welcome innovators from the Northeast Region to join Hub programs; you DO NOT need to be affiliated with a Hub member university to participate. Whether in person or virtual, Programs offered in-person at specific universities are open to the entire Hub community.

Apply Here