1. I-Corps ARS- A New Twist on NSF’s I-Corps Model
Mojdeh Bahar, J.D., M.A., CLP
Assistant Administrator, Office of Technology Transfer

2. ROADMAP
1. Concept 2. Benefit 3. Unique Features 4. Model: Pilot & Subsequent Round 5. Projects 6. Impact of I-Corps on Each Project 7. Lessons Learned for ARS and Other Federal Agencies

3. CONCEPT

4. The ARS Innovation Corps pilot was a set of activities and programs that prepared ARS scientists to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and broadened the impact of select ARS research projects. Combining experience and guidance from established entrepreneurs with a targeted curriculum, NSF I-Corps™, on which I-Corps ARS was based, taught the teams to identify the real problems facing stakeholders and to develop valuable products and/or market opportunities that can emerge from their own research. In addition, I-Corps ARS offered entrepreneurship training which helped the participants to be more innovative in their research programs. Each team was composed of one ARS scientist, one post-doctoral fellow and one technology transfer professional.

5. BENEFIT

6. For ARS, the benefit of was creating an entrepreneurial culture within the agency by engaging scientists in the business side of science. The paradigm offered in this program enables the scientist to do more impactful research.

7. UNIQUE FEATURES

8. NSF’s I-Corps™ program is one of the most innovative approaches to fostering an innovative ecosystem. So far, the I-Corps™ model adopted by federal agencies focuses on the agency’s grantees, not their intramural scientists. The proposed I-Corps ARS is the first program in a government-owned, government operated environment (GOGO) that has an intramural focus with the goal of creating and entrepreneurial scientific enterprise. Department of Energy (GOCO) has recently adopted a similar model called LabCorps.

9. MODEL

10. 2 technologies and their corresponding teams were selected
Each team had at least three members: one ARS scientists, a post-doctoral candidate/students in the lab and a TT/Business Mentor
The team was supported by the Office of Technology Transfer, the Area Office and the Laboratory
After completing the program, the “graduates” would help educate their peers on the business side of science
One of the NSF I-Corps nodes (Michigan) had agreed to charge ARS a reduced cost per team for registration for the courses/program during the pilot phase

11. PROJECTS

12. The development of instrumentation to rapidly characterize agricultural products and poultry meat through nondestructive microwave sensing. Through study of the object’s electric properties, one is able to understand its physical properties
Simultaneous removal and recovery of nitrogen and phosphorus from manures and wastewater. The aim of the project was to use gas-permeable membrane technology along with aeration to remove nitrogen and combine this with phosphorus precipitation to more effectively remove and recover these nutrients

13. RCME Technology under the name “Gene Stackers”
Development of bio-sensing methods for rapid and simultaneous detection of major foodborne pathogens and contaminants

14. IMPACT OF I-CORPS ON EACH PROJECT

15. All projects gained more specificity from a scientific point of view and the identification of problems to be solved, but also as to market segmentation and how solutions will be adopted.
P1. A different customer than the one first envisioned was identified and the physical attributes that are important to industry were realized
P2. The need for the technology was proven & application in aquaculture was examined
P3. The breakthrough realization was that the method should be offered as a service, not a product/kit
P4. Potential collaborators and commercial partners were identified and the project was further defined

16. Metrics : Where Are they Now?

17. P1. Project was further refined, exclusive license was terminated, new collaborations were formed. Post-Doc has since got a permanent job at ARS
P2. 4 licenses were executed, collaboration with a small company and NASA, SBIR-TT recipient from USDA and Phase II from NASA, FLC Award, Post-Doc employed by private company
P3. CRADA initiated, Innovation Fund winner(to expedite commercialization), Post-Doc hired by CRADA partner
P4. Collaboration formed, new invention disclosure submitted, approved by patent committee and awaiting application prep

18. LESSONS LEARNED FOR ARS AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

19. The six week program is a big time commitment between customer discovery and actual instruction, mostly through webinars.
The Federal Agency further customized the program to better fit the environment of a federal lab, and not a start-up entrepreneur.
Most of the activities are done by the Entrepreneurial Lead (post-doc fellow).
Prior to the start of the program, the Federal scientists and postdoctoral fellows should be better prepared for the method used in I-Corps.
Everyone involved in the projects should be on board, both philosophically and financially.
The inclusion of Technology Transfer Professionals was a great addition from an agency TT perspective.
There are pros and cons to a subject specific I-Corps, e.g. Agriculture.
This program will give rise to more impactful research. “Instead of finishing a project and trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, the research project can be guided in the right direction from interviews with customers and stakeholders. Therefore, the end product is such that it fits the expressed needs of the customers and has immediate added value.”

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Innovations in Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (I-FAST)

21. USDA I-FAST NIFA’s Phase 0 Pilot Program
Focus is on transitioning innovations out of academic institutions that received USDA Grants funding
Using the America Competes Act as the legal authority to administer I-FAST
Program funded 7 teams to date with each participating in the training provided by NSF (I-CORP)
Each team receives a $50K Prize to complete I-CORP training

22. Some Info. on I-FAST Process
The teams are chosen based on the information they submit in a proposal and use an internal staff review. Live interviews are conducted with the teams using NSF as the lead to ensure that they are able and willing to commit to the NSF I-Corps program requirements
Teams have received funding from NIFA via the AFRI program
Following Institutions have been participants: Cornell, U of Illinois, U of Houston, Lincoln U., Kansas U. Prairie View A&M & Danforth Plant Science Center
Criteria were announced in the Federal Register
Another 5 teams will be chosen in 2018

23. QUESTIONS??