Del State has joined the Northeast I-Corps hub

Delaware State University announced this week that it is now affiliated with the Northeast Hub of Innovation Corps (I-Corps).

I-Corps works to accelerate the economic impact of federally funded research in areas such as healthcare, AI, robotics, computing, energy and the environment and advanced materials. It also aims to build skills and opportunities among researchers, including those historically underrepresented in entrepreneurship.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the I-Corps Northeast Hub is led by Princeton University, along with partner institutions Rutgers University and the University of Delaware.

On a broader scale, the regional I-Corps Hubs — Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, New York, West and Northeast — form the new operational backbone of the National Innovation Network, a network of universities, NSF-funded researchers, local and regional entrepreneurial communities, and other federal agencies that work collaboratively to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem throughout the U.S.

“The future of higher education in America depends heavily on our ability to become centers of innovation that not only conduct significant research, but transform that research into deep technology ventures that have lasting impact on the nation’s most critical challenges,” Del State President Tony Allen said in the announcement. “As one of the first Historically Black Colleges or Universities within I-Corps, we are especially gratified to be able to use this opportunity to open up more opportunities for students of color across the region.”

The I-Corps Northeast Hub, which also includes new affiliates Lehigh University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University and Temple University, will receive $15 million over the next five years in support of its work.