FAU Receives National Science Foundation I-Corps Grant

Florida Atlantic University recently received the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) grant to create an NSF I-Corps Site at FAU as a component of FAU Tech Runway®. The grant was awarded by the National Science Foundation and was presented by U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch during a visit to FAU Tech Runway® at FAU’s Boca Raton campus. 

“FAU is excited to receive the NSF I-Corps grant,” said Daniel Flynn, Ph.D., vice president for research at FAU. “This grant will help to promote STEM entrepreneurship among FAU’s diverse student population and further our efforts as a key contributor to South Florida’s innovation ecosystem.” 

The NSF I-Corps program prepares scientists and engineers to extend their focus beyond the university laboratory and accelerates the economic and societal benefits of NSF-funded, basic-research projects that are ready to move toward commercialization. 

“I’m always so amazed and inspired by my visits to FAU Tech Runway,” said Deutch. “Students and entrepreneurs are helping to drive innovation with local companies and pushing the boundaries of our technological capabilities. This advanced work with FAU Tech Runway will prepare these innovators for successful careers in the STEM fields.” 

The grant is worth $254,997 over three years and will serve to advance entrepreneurship and innovation efforts currently taking place at FAU Tech Runway®. Specifically, the grant will create an I-Corps site to support and equip multiple southeast Florida teams to accelerate viable STEM research innovations from the laboratory to the marketplace. 

“Creating an NSF I-Corps site at FAU will increase and retain the number of newly formed innovative companies capable of accelerating innovations to the market and attracting investors and industry partners to the region,” said Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., associate vice president for strategic initiatives at FAU and head of institutional partnerships for FAU and Max Planck Florida Institute. “The ultimate outcome of this NSF grant directly aligns with FAU’s strategic goal to cultivate and strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem.” 

"The grant establishes FAU as only the third NSF I-Corps site in Florida," said Dimitris Pados, Ph.D., professor, I-SENSE Fellow, Charles E. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science. "It is the latest success example under FAU's Strategic Plan, Race to Excellence 2015-2025. The impact of the site on FAU and our region will be growing for years to come."

Project Researchers - PI: Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at FAU and Head of Institutional Partnerships for FAU and Max Planck Florida Institute; Co-PIs: Dimitris Pados, Ph.D., Professor, I-SENSE Fellow, Charles E. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Rhys Williams, J.D., Associate Vice President and Managing Director, FAU Tech Runway and Division of Research