Water Research Cohort
Transform your water research into a scalable solution. Join a specialized NSF I-Corps cohort aligned with AWWA’s ACE 26 in Washington, D.C.
What is the AWWA Innovation-Corps Conference Cohort?
The NSF I-Corps (Innovation Corps) program is an immersive course designed to help researchers evaluate the commercial and societal potential of their deep-tech innovations.
Presented by the National Science Foundation, the NYS Center of Excellence for Healthy Water, and Clarkson University’s Shipley Center for Innovation, this special cohort is strategically aligned with the American Water Works Association Annual Conference & Expo (AWWA ACE 26).
Participants will leverage the massive gathering of utility leaders, engineers, and manufacturers in Washington, D.C., to conduct high-impact customer discovery.
The Mission
Move beyond technical feasibility to validate “product-market fit” within the water sector.
The Method
4 weeks of intensive training, mentorship, and 25+ interviews with industry stakeholders, completed at the AWWA ACE 26.
Post-Program Opportunities
Successful completion of this Regional I-Corps cohort may make you eligible for the National Cohort, which provides a $50,000 grant and significantly strengthens SBIR/STTR grant applications (up to $1.5M).
Why Should I Join?
As a water researcher, your work has the potential to solve global water scarcity and quality issues. However, the “Valley of Death” between a lab breakthrough and market adoption is steep.
This cohort offers:
- Direct Access: Use the ACE 26 Exhibit Hall as your laboratory for customer discovery.
- Risk Mitigation: Determine if your technology solves a “must-have” problem in the market before spending years on development.
- Specialized Mentorship: Get matched with mentors who understand the unique characteristics of the water industry.
Who Can Apply?
The AWWA Conference Cohort is open to water researchers, engineers, and scientists (faculty, postdocs, and graduate students) with “deep-tech” innovations, including but not limited to:
- Treatment Technologies: Novel approaches to PFAS/DBPs, micro/nano plastics, pathogens (E. coli), and chemical contaminants (nitrates, arsenic).
- Water Safety: Mitigating antimicrobial resistance and designing resilient water infrastructure.
- Sustainability: Resource recovery, energy-neutral treatment, and climate resilience.
Forming a Team
If you are interested in applying to the National I-Corps Program after completing this regional cohort, we strongly encourage you to apply with at least one teammate. To remain eligible for Nationals, your team must comprise of at least one of each of the following:
Entrepreneurial Lead (EL)
Someone who is committed to the project’s commercial path. Typically a graduate student or post-doc. The Entrepreneurial Lead must attend all cohort calls and will attend the AWWA ACE Conference to conduct customer discovery interviews.
Technical Lead
A team member with the deep technical knowledge needed to advance the technological development of the innovation. Usually a faculty member, senior researcher, or technology inventor.
Tentative Dates
- Application Deadline – 05/01/26
- Kickoff Call 1 – 06/03/26
- Kickoff Call 2 – 06/04/26
- Mid-Session Call – 06/15/26
- AWWA ACE 26 Conference – 06/21/26 – 06/24/26
- Finale Call – 07/01/26
Apply Today!
Questions? Email icorps@clarkson.edu