I-Corps at NIH
You’ve Created the Technology. Put It to Work with I-Corps.
I-Corps at NIH is an entrepreneurship training program specifically designed for companies that received Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer funding from NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or the Administration for Community Living (ACL). During this hands-on program, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and get the tools to bring your treatment to the patients who need it most.
And there's no cost to you - a $25,000 stipend covers program costs.
I-Corps at NIH Program Benefits
- Receive training from biotech sector experts
- Hone your target market by engaging with potential customers
- Expand your professional network
- Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
- Gain years of entrepreneurial skills in only weeks
| Watch testimonial videos from past participants. |
Eligibility
Your company is eligible to participate if your Phase I SBIR or STTR (or Phase I component of a Fast-Track award) is from NIH, CDC, FDA, or ACL
- is or was active within 2 years of the submission deadline AND
- has not received a Phase II for that project at the time of the request
An awardee may submit only one request for inclusion per parent Phase I award.
Structure and Timeline
All I-Corps at NIH sessions are virtual. Each applicant team must be composed of three key members:
- A C-level corporate officer (e.g., CEO or CSO)
- A technical lead (usually the Phase I PD/PI)
- An industry expert with business development experience in the relevant field
Attendance by all team members, including the industry expert, is required, with any absence requiring pre-approval from the I-Corps Staff. Excused absences will be provided for medical or family emergencies only.
| 2027 COHORT 1 | 2027 COHORT 2 | 2027 COHORT 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request Deadline | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Friday, February 19, 2027 | Friday, July 16, 2027 |
| Onboarding Session | Week of February 15, 2027 | Week of April 12, 2027 | Week of September 6, 2027 |
| Kickoff | Week of March 8, 2027 | Week of May 3, 2027 | Week of September 27, 2027 |
| Weekly Sessions | Wednesdays March 17 - April 21 | Wednesdays May 12 - June 16 | Wednesdays October 6 - November 10 |
| Closing Workshop/Lessons Learned | Week of April 26, 2027 | Week of June 21, 2027 | Week of November 15, 2027 |
Requests will be assessed based on:
- Completeness and accuracy of eligibility documentation
- Strength and experience of the proposed team
- Clarity of business motivation and customer-discovery approach
- Likely impact on commercialization pathway and readiness for follow-on funding
For general I-Corps questions, email [email protected].
