I-Corps Sites: Type II - NSF-I-Corps Site, The University of Alabama

这个项目来自阿拉巴马大学（UA），将他们最初的I-Corps Site奖励扩大到下一阶段对创新和创业的支持。创新团队（I-Corps）站点是nsf资助的实体，建立在大学里，其目的是培养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化为市场或成为I-Corps团队的申请人。I-Corps站点还加强地方和区域创新，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贡献。这是一个二类工兵基地项目。第二类建议由已经获得第一类奖励的机构提交。这个I-Corps II型网站的目标是建立、扩展和扩大当地的创新生态系统，并培养STEM教师和学生将他们的想法转化为市场，这样这些早期团队就可以建立可持续发展的公司，创造新的就业机会，吸引投资，造福社会。通过培养STEM教师和学生来促进当地创新生态系统，推动阿拉巴马大学网站成为一个正式、活跃的当地创新生态系统，为导师、研究人员、企业家和投资者的全国网络做出贡献。UA网站提供基础设施、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化为市场或成为I-Corps团队的申请人。2016年，美国基地与乔治亚理工学院的I-Corps区域节点I-Corps South成为合作伙伴。UA网站在增加包容性的活动中取得了成功，它还将继续改进和扩展精益启动平台的课程和培训项目。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project, from the University of Alabama (UA), extends their initial I-Corps Site award for scale up to their next phase of support for innovation and entrepreneurship. 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. This is a Type II I-Corps Site project. Type II proposals are submitted by institutions that have already received a Type I award.The goal of this I-Corps Type II Site is to build on, extend and expand the local innovation ecosystem, and to nurture STEM faculty and students to transition their ideas into the marketplace so these early stage teams can build sustainable companies, create new jobs, attract investment, and benefit society. Boosting the local innovation ecosystem by nurturing STEM faculty and students propelled the University of Alabama Site into a formal, active, local innovation ecosystem contributing to the national network of mentors, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. The UA Site provides infrastructure, resources, networking opportunities, training and modest funding to enable groups to transition their work into the marketplace or become I-Corps Team applicants. In 2016 the US Site became partners with the regional I-Corps Node, I-Corps South, at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The UA Site, which has been successful in activities that increase inclusiveness, will also continue to improve and expand Lean Launchpad curriculum and training programs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.