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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 is the Northeast I-Corps Hub’s advanced training program designed specifically for Propelus graduates who are ready for a deeper commercialization experience. Modeled after the NSF National I-Corps Teams curriculum, Ascendus provides a rigorous 7-week customer discovery program for teams serious about validating their market opportunity and building a scalable venture.
Benefits include:
• $2,000 team payment
• Intensive customer discovery training
• Preparation for SBIR/STTR and other commercialization funding opportunities
• Open to both academic and non-academic innovations
Competitive teams are founder-driven, committed to customer discovery, and prepared to test and refine their business assumptions through direct market engagement. Learn more and apply:
https://icorpsnortheasthub.org/events/2026/ascendus-i-corps
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. See the Northeast Region I-Corps Hub website for detailed information on eligibility and how to apply.
Upcoming Events hosted by Rutgers I-Corps:
Virtual I-Corps Events:
We also offer a number of short virtual programs to help innovators/researchers and entrepreneurs to learn about key topics and resources available to them.
Innovating Together with Campus Deep Tech
Date: Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 noon
Location: online via Zoom
Register here:
Join us on to learn how Campus Deep Tech connects academic founders, university labs, investors, and industry to accelerate the next wave of startups.
This session will be especially useful for those with Deep Tech innovations who are committed to advancing their innovation towards a startup company. Meet our panel of Campus Deep Tech leaders as they share details about the history and mission of Campus Deep Tech and their various programs, activities, and events. Featured speakers include Co-Founders Malcolm Biggins and Jesse Gray.
Innovating Together with Nucleate
Date: Thursday, Sept 24, 2026 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 noon ET
Location: online via Zoom
Resister here
Learn how Nucleate develops the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs, transforming academic research into life sciences ventures.
Join the conversation with Nucleate leaders who will share details about the organization and their flagship 9-month Activator program, activities, and events. Featured speakers include: Fatemah Mukadum, Co-Managing Director of Nucleate, and Evelyn Liang, Director of Communications.
Innovating Together with Activate
Date: Tuesday, October 13,, 2026 Time: 11:00 – 12:00 noon ET
Location: online via Zoom
Resistration coming soon
Learn about how the NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub works with Activate to help build the community that drives science into impact and supports scientists through the founder journey through fellowships.
Join the conversation with our Activate leaders who will share the history and mission of the Activate organization, the various Activate communities, and their Activate Fellowship program. Featured speakers include: Hailey Faust, Fellowship Associate, Activate New York
Novus – half-day Introduction to I-Corps (in-person)
Learn about the impact your research or innovation could have in solving real-world problems by attending our Novus I-Corps Programs 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.
There are two upcoming Novus Programs, one in Newark, and one in New Brunswick.
Novus I-Corps Program at Rutgers-Newark
Date: Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026 Time: 12:00 am – 4:00 pm
Building: John Cotton Dana Library (3rd Floor P3 Collaboratory)
Location: 185 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102
Register HERE
Novus I-Corps Program at Rutgers-Health (IFH) Institute for Health – New Brunswick
Date: Monday, October 5, 2026 Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Building: Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research
Location: 112 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Register here
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
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 payments of up to $1500 after completion of 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 October – November cohort. The Cohort kicks off in person on October 23, 2026 at Alexander Library, New Brunswick, NJ. All sessions are on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
The Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 sessions will be virtual, and the in-person finale will be held on November 20.
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.
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 team payment 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:
- I-Corps startup Steg.AI licenses with Rutgers University
- Research@Rutgers Article – https://research.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-expand-entrepreneurship-training-programs-researchers-partner-new-nsf-i-corps-hub
- Rutgers Today article Bringing a Silicon Valley Approach to Help Rutgers Research Move Beyond the Laboratory, Rutgers launches local National Science Foundation supported program to train scientists to become entrepreneurs
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.