NSF National Deaf Innovation Challenge

This competition, sponsored by NSF I-Corps Grant and administered by the Simone Center and RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf, showcases the innovative  ideas of entrepreneurial deaf and hard of hearing students across the country.

Eligibility

  • Each team must be represented by a college/university and must be made up of at least two deaf and/or hard-of-hearing members or be led by a deaf or hard-of-hearing student.
  • Team members must be affiliated with a college/university at the time of submission. Alumni are eligible.
  • Members of the team must be committed for up to one year to receive coaching from I-Corps.
  • More than one team from a single college/university is permitted.
  • The idea cannot be based on an already existing operational business venture.

Application

Before starting the online application, be prepared to answer the following:

  1. Describe your early-stage product or service that has a foreseeable commercial impact. 
  2. How is your idea unique?
  3. What problem does your idea seek to solve or what gap in the marketplace does it seek to fill?
  4. Describe your target market.
  5. Who are the potential consumers and/or users?
  6. What value does this product or service add to their lives?
  7. Describe any potential challenges you see in delivering this product or service.
  8. Do you have a coach for your team? A coach may be a member of the faculty, staff, or another designated representative of your college.

Applications for the Summer 2025 Cohort are now open! Please apply here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5163685

Contact

For more information, contact Scot Atkins.