Application Deadline: Fall 2026 I-Corps Program
The National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program supports teams working on ideas in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The Polsky Center offers a local I-Corps program for teams including faculty, students, staff, and alumni from the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Chicago-area universities.
No previous business or entrepreneurship experience is required.
Participating in Polsky I-Corps can make teams eligible for participation in the NSF’s National Teams program with access to $50,000 and five times the likelihood of receiving SBIR/STTR funding of up to $2 million.
Team eligibility requirements include:
// Minimum of two teammates who are committed to attending all required workshops and completing out-of-class assignments — we do not recommend having more than four teammates. The Polsky Center can support with connecting you with additional teammates.
// Idea or project based in the STEM fields — this idea can be early-stage and teams are not required to have fully-functioning prototypes or proof-of-concept data
// University-affiliated teammate — teams including faculty, students, staff, and alumni from the University of Chicago, Argonne, Fermilab, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, or current faculty, students, and staff from Chicago-area universities may apply for I-Corps
// Curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about the process of innovation
//Preference will be given to teams exploring research-based ideas
Applicants must provide information about their project or technology, the backgrounds and abilities of their team, and their interest in pursuing the program. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and qualified applicants may be invited to interview. Those accepted into the program will be assigned to a cohort based on availability.
Only one application is required per team. Read more about I-Corps >>
Key dates:
Participants are required to attend all sessions and complete in-class and out-of-class assignments. A minimum of two members of an I-Corps team (the same two) must attend the sessions. The program will be offered in person at UChicago’s Hyde Park campus. If you have specific needs that require attending virtually, please reach out to Crystal Camargo.
Fall 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, September 4, 3 p.m. CT
// Session 1: Friday, October 9, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
// Session 2: Friday, October 16, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
// Session 3: Friday, October 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
// Session 4: Friday, November 20, 1:30–4:00 p.m.