Novus I-Corps @ Rutgers (IFH) Institute for Health

Intro NSF I-Corps training, workshop, & networking event to shift the focus from science / technology to the people it benefits and more! Note: A Networking Lunch during Registration will be provided, so kindly RSVP by Wednesday, Sept 28, 2026. Learn about the impact your research or innovation could have in solving real-world problems by attending our Novus I-Corps Program at Rutgers-Health Institute for Health, an introduction to I-Corps, co-sponsored by Rutgers-Health Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research, Rutgers Office for Research, and NSF I-Corps Northeast Hub. The introductory Novus I-Corps Program at Rutgers Institute for Health (IFH) provides an opportunity for individuals and teams with innovations to: • Learn how NIH-funded researchers can become eligible for future NSF funding through the NSF I-Corps Program • Shift the mindset from science and technology to the people it could benefit • Understand how Customer Discovery drives innovation (and gets you out of the building!) • Meet local I-Corps Program Leaders and Tech Transfer Officers to guide your journey • Learn tips for success from an I-Corps Alumni Panel sharing their experience • Network with innovation-minded individuals to help form teams or guide your next steps Who Should Attend: (Individuals and teams from any Rutgers University campus are invited, including innovators in the Central Jersey area) • Rutgers University faculty, postdoctoral researchers & staff, graduate students, undergraduates, and alumni who are developing a scientific or technical discovery. • Individuals, including students, community members, local entrepreneurs and startup founders from the Central Jersey area, who want to learn about innovation at Rutgers and potentially be matched to a team. • Student Organization / Program Leaders who want to learn more about how I-Corps can benefit their members • Rutgers alumni, Mentors, or Experts who want to contribute to success of Rutgers innovation teams and emerging Rutgers startups Benefits: • TRAINING: Training introducing the I-Corps Lean LaunchPad approach to evaluating technologies through customer-research, focused on identifying the technology’s potential for development in a startup or other venture. • NETWORKING: Build relationships with local I-Corps program leaders to get guidance and support. Individuals can form teams to be eligible to apply for the Regional I-Corps program. • PREPARATION: Attendees will be prepared to begin a journey of Customer Discovery with their own team or with a team they newly created. • FOLLOW-ON OPPORTUNITIES: Attendees can be poised to succeed in a future 4-week Regional I-Corps Program gaining access to a $1,500 NSF mini-grant to do Customer Discovery. • Novus attendees can potentially be fast-tracked for participation in the upcoming 5-week Rutgers Propelus I-Corps Program, Oct-Nov 2026 cohort.