The NIH and CDC's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program provides administrative supplement awards to active Phase I SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) grant recipients. This funding opportunity focuses on helping small businesses accelerate the commercialization of biomedical and public health innovations funded by NIH and CDC through SBIR and STTR programs. The program aims to train biomedical entrepreneurs in market research and customer discovery, guiding them to refine their commercialization strategies by understanding stakeholder needs and market demands, ultimately strengthening their commercialization plans.

This program offers an intensive eight-week entrepreneurial immersion course where three-member I-Corps teams, consisting of a C-level Corporate Officer, Technical Lead, and Industry Expert, conduct a minimum of 100 interviews with stakeholders to validate market fit and assess the innovation's potential impact. Teams develop a Business Model Canvas, analyzing areas such as value proposition, customer needs, and revenue streams. I-Corps teams are also expected to be flexible in "pivoting" their commercialization strategies if customer discovery reveals new opportunities or barriers.

Eligible applicants are U.S.-based small business concerns (SBCs) with an active Phase I SBIR or STTR grant (NIH-funded for STTRs) or the Phase I portion of an SBIR/STTR Fast-Track grant. Eligible projects should extend through the program's duration, including the final "Lessons Learned" workshop, and must remain within the original grant scope. Budget requests may include up to $55,000 for workshop registration ($25,000) and additional travel and personnel costs for customer discovery interviews. NIH and CDC will fund up to 48 awards in 2025, totaling approximately $2.64 million in direct costs.

Applicants must submit a detailed project plan with a one-page summary of the original Phase I award and progress updates. The plan should justify the team's formation, outline commercialization challenges, and demonstrate each team member’s commitment to the I-Corps schedule and objectives. Applications must also show readiness to adjust commercialization plans based on new market insights. Review criteria include the team's experience, commitment to program objectives, and the potential market impact of the innovation.

The program requires in-person attendance at a kick-off workshop (in Seattle or Atlanta) and a close-out workshop in Bethesda, MD. Weekly virtual webinars support the training and are supplemented by individualized mentoring sessions. At the program's close, teams present their commercialization plans and learnings, potentially leading to refined strategies for Phase II funding applications.

Award notices are subject to standard NIH and CDC policies, including data-sharing requirements and national security disclosures regarding foreign relationships. Reporting requirements mandate that outcomes of the I-Corps program are included in progress reports, with NIH conducting both short-term and long-term evaluations of the program's impact on commercialization success.