Events & Training

November 19, 2026 / Boston

The program begins with an interactive launch event that brings together innovators, research teams, mentors, and innovation leaders.

Participants will:

• Explore the fundamentals of research translation
• Develop an initial innovation roadmap
• Identify end users, customers, and market needs
• Showcase their work through a poster session with mentor feedback
• Build connections across the innovation ecosystem

By the end of the event, each participant will gain valuable feedback from innovation experts and next steps for advancing their innovation toward impact.

January 2027 / Virtual

The NSF I-Corps™ Spark experience designed specifically for this cohort will introduce innovators to customer discovery and market validation principles.

Participants will learn how to:

• Identify potential customers and beneficiaries
• Test assumptions about the problem and solution
• Gather market feedback
• Refine their value proposition
• Evaluate commercialization opportunities

This hands-on experience helps innovators better understand the real-world needs their innovations can address.

February 2027 / Hybrid

Communicating innovation effectively is essential for securing support, partnerships, and funding.

The Pitch Lab workshop series helps participants develop:

• Clear and compelling innovation stories
• Strong value propositions
• Effective slide design and messaging
• Presentation and delivery skills
• Confidence presenting to diverse audiences

Participants receive feedback and coaching to strengthen their ability to communicate the potential impact of their work.

March-April 2027 / Virtual

A series of interactive workshops will introduce participants to the critical considerations involved in translating research innovations into real-world solutions. Sessions will provide practical guidance from experts across the innovation ecosystem and help participants better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with moving discoveries toward adoption and impact.

Workshop topics may include:

• Assessing market need and opportunity
• Developing and refining a value proposition
• Intellectual property and technology protection
• Business and commercialization strategies
• Product development and validation pathways
• Funding and translational support opportunities
• Regulatory and reimbursement considerations
• Building partnerships and stakeholder engagement strategies

Throughout the program

Throughout the program, participants will have opportunities to engage with experienced mentors, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and innovation leaders.

Mentors help participants:

• Refine commercialization strategies
• Navigate translational challenges
• Expand professional networks
• Identify next-step opportunities for growth and development

The mentorship experience complements formal training and provides personalized support tailored to each innovation.