If your goal is to bring a new technology to market, the NSF I-Corps Hub Northwest is offering a free, virtual course focused on planetary health, and applications are open now through May 29, 2026!

This program is built around one core skill: finding your customers. Through immersive workshops and hands-on interviews, you'll sharpen your value proposition, identify your top customer segments, and build the foundation for a scalable business model.

What Is NSF I-Corps?

NSF I-Corps is a nationally recognized, free program open to any team with a STEM-based technology startup or startup idea. Each cohort is hosted by one of the Hub NW partner institutions and university affiliation is not required. Teams are eligible to participate in any cohort, regardless of where they are based.

UC Santa Cruz is a proud partner institution in the I-Corps Hub for the Northwest Region, delivering these series on the Central Coast through the Innovation & Business Engagement Hub.

These evening sessions teach you to identify your top customer segment, develop and test your value propositions, and accelerate finding product-market fit. Outside of class, you'll conduct at least 20 interviews with potential customers as part of the customer discovery process, expect approximately 25–30 hours of work outside the workshops.

Who Should Apply?

This cohort is especially relevant if your work touches planetary health, including climate technology, environmental science, food systems, biodiversity, or the intersection of human health and environment.

This program is a fit if you have a STEM-based technology, startup, or startup idea; are curious about the real-world market for your research; are committed to doing the customer discovery work; and want a structured framework for commercialization, without the cost.

Pathway to the National Program

Teams with technology innovations rooted in fundamental science and engineering may be eligible, upon successful completion and instructor recommendation — for the NSF I-Corps Teams national program: a 7-week extended training series that provides $40,000 to support team participation, including stipends and expenses for customer discovery. Teams completing the national program have been shown to be more competitive in securing follow-on SBIR/STTR grants ($150,000 – $300,000 in federal commercialization funding).

Schedule — June 2026 Cohort

All sessions are virtual and held in the evenings PDT.

Orientation (at least one team member required): Friday, June 5 · 2:00–3:00 pm Workshop 1: Sunday, June 15 · 5:30–8:30 pm Workshop 2: Tuesday, June 17 · 5:30–8:30 pm Workshop 3: Wednesday, June 25 · 5:30–8:30 pm Workshop 4 — Final Presentations: Sunday, June 29 · 5:30–8:30 pm

You'll be contacted 1–2 weeks before the first session to schedule a team interview with the I-Corps instructor.

How to Apply

The application window is open April 29 – May 29, 2026. Applications are free and take about 10–15 minutes to complete.

Apply Now!

Questions? Reach out to the UCSC Innovation & Business Engagement Hub.

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