<p align="left">The National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to develop and nurture a national innovation ecosystem that builds upon research to guide the output of scientific discoveries closer to the development of technologies, products and processes that benefit society.
<p
credit:
align="left">In order tocontribute toa national innovation ecosystem, NSFestablished the NSF Innovation Corps Sites Program(NSF I-Corps Sites).
Sites are funded at academic institutions, having already existing innovation or entrepreneurial units, to enable them to:
<ul> <li>Nurture students and/or faculty who are engaged in projects having the potential to be transitioned into the marketplace.
I-Corps Sites will provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their work into the marketplace orinto becoming <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504672" target="_blank">I-Corps Team applicants</a>.</li> <li>Develop formal, active, local innovation ecosystems that contribute to a larger, national network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors.
<span style="font-size:
9pt; mso-bidi-font-size:
1 2. 0pt;"><span style="font-family:
Calibri;">Networking is an essential component of all of NSF’s I-Corps activities – local and national networking activities help advance the goals of I-Corps and contribute to local and national ecosystems for innovation.</span></span></li> </ul> The purpose of an I-Corps Site is to nurture and support multiple, local teamsto transitiontheir ideas, devices, processes or other intellectual activities into the marketplace.