Type II: UCF I-Corps Site - enhancing technology commercialization to develop a world-class innovation ecosystem

该项目将中佛罗里达大学(UCF)的i-Corps站点在最初的三年奖励基础上再延长三年。NSF创新团队(i-Corps)网站是由NSF资助的实体，成立于大学，其目的是培育和支持多个本地团队，将他们的技术概念转化为市场。网站提供基础设施、建议、资源、网络机会、培训和适度的资金，使团体能够将他们的工作转移到市场或成为i-Corps团队的申请者。I-Corps网站还加强了当地和地区的创新，并为由导师、研究人员、企业家和投资者组成的国家创新网络做出了贡献。有两种类型的i-Corps选址建议。第一类提案是由以前没有获得资金作为i-Corps站点的机构提交的。这些提案可能要求在长达五年的时间里每年支付100,000美元。第二类提案是由以前作为i-Corps站点获得资金的机构提交的。这些提案可能要求在长达三年的时间里每年最高可达10万美元。UCF的i-Corps站点更新项目的智力优势包括对以下方面的深入了解：(1)创业教育和技术商业化的流程、方法和计划，(2)将研究从桌面转化为市场的最佳实践，(3)并将这些知识分发给整个NIN的合作者、合作伙伴和附属机构，以及(4)为支持当地集群和目标人群的专业队列制定和调整计划。通过收集i-Corps参与者完成课程后的纵向数据，将获得更多的知识和理解。UCF是佛罗里达州中部创新生态系统中积极参与的合作伙伴。该项目产生的更广泛的影响直接有助于社会更广泛地了解以创新为基础的经济发展以及研究和商业化的重要性。这对于一个依赖旅游业和酒店业以及该地区相关的低收入工作的社区来说至关重要。在UCF I-Corps Site计划的初步成功、该地区领先研究机构和附属组织产生的研究和发明的成功商业化的基础上，这一更新项目有可能对地区经济产生重大影响。此外，通过有效地服务于拉美裔人口的课程，有可能在国家一级产生重大的社会和经济影响。佛罗里达州拥有美国第三大拉美裔人口，加州大学伯克利分校近25%的学生和34%的佛罗里达州企业主是拉美裔，这使这里成为开发、部署和完善课程的理想地点。

This project extends the University of Central Florida's (UCF) I-Corps Site for an additional three years beyond their initial three-year award. NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Sites are NSF-funded entities established at universities whose purpose is to nurture and support multiple, local teams to transition their technology concepts into the marketplace. Sites provide infrastructure, advice, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their work into the marketplace or into becoming I-Corps Team applicants. I-Corps Sites also strengthen innovation locally and regionally and contribute to the National Innovation Network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. There are two types of I-Corps Site proposals. Type I proposals are submitted by institutions that have not had prior funding as an I-Corps Site. These proposals may request $100,000 per year for up to five years. Type II proposals are submitted by institutions that have had prior funding as an I-Corps Site. These proposals may request up to $100,000 per year for up to three years. The intellectual merits of the I-Corps Site renewal project at UCF include the capture and curation of a deep understanding of (1) the processes, methodologies and programs for entrepreneurship education and technology commercialization, (2) Best practices for transitioning research from the bench top into the marketplace, (3) and distributing this knowledge to collaborators, partners, and affiliates throughout the NIN, and (4) development and adaptation of programs for specialty cohorts supporting local clusters and targeted populations. Additional knowledge and understanding will be gained through the collection of longitudinal data following I-Corps participants after they have completed the curriculum. UCF is an active and engaged partner in the Central Florida innovation ecosystem. The broader impacts from this project directly contribute to the broader community understanding of innovation-based economic development and the importance of research and commercialization. This is critically important to a community that is dependent on tourism and hospitality and the associated lower paying jobs in the region. Building on the initial successes of the UCF I-Corps Site program, successful commercialization of research and inventions generated at the leading research institutions and affiliate organizations in the region, this renewal project has the potential to significantly impact the regional economy. Further, with curriculum that effectively serves Hispanic populations, there is the potential to produce major social and economic impact on a national level. Florida has the third largest Hispanic population in the U.S., with nearly 25% of UCF student population and 34% of Florida business owners being of Hispanic origin, making this an ideal location to develop, deploy, and refine the curriculum.