174 
(3) ASSISTANCE TO STATE TECHNOLOGY PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 26(a) of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278l(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Centers program created’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Hollings Manufacturing Extension 
Partnership’’. 
(f) SAVINGS
PROVISIONS.—Notwithstanding the 
amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this sec-
tion, the Secretary of Commerce may carry out section 
25 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) as that section was in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act, with respect 
to existing grants, agreements, cooperative agreements, or 
contracts, and with respect to applications for such items 
that are received by the Secretary prior to the date of en-
actment of this Act. 
(g) PATENT RIGHTS.—The provisions of chapter 18 
of title 35, United States Code, shall apply, to the extent 
not inconsistent with section 25 of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k) and 
section 25 of that Act, to the promotion of technology 
from research by Centers under those sections, except for 
contracts for such specific technology extension or transfer 
services as may be specified by the Director of NIST or 
under other law. 
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TITLE VI—INNOVATION AND 
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
SEC. 601. INNOVATION CORPS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) The National Science Foundation Innova-
tion Corps (referred to in this section as the ‘‘I- 
Corps’’) was established to foster a national innova-
tion ecosystem by encouraging institutions, sci-
entists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to identify and 
explore the innovation and commercial potential of 
National Science Foundation-funded research well 
beyond the laboratory. 
(2) Through I-Corps, the Foundation invests in 
entrepreneurship and commercialization education, 
training, and mentoring that can ultimately lead to 
the practical deployment of technologies, products, 
processes, and services that improve the Nation’s 
competitiveness, promote economic growth, and ben-
efit society. 
(3) By building networks of entrepreneurs, edu-
cators, mentors, institutions, and collaborations, and 
supporting specialized education and training, I- 
Corps is at the leading edge of a strong, lasting 
foundation for an American innovation ecosystem. 
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(4) By translating federally funded research to 
a commercial stage more quickly and efficiently, pro-
grams like the I-Corps create new jobs and compa-
nies, help solve societal problems, and provide tax-
payers with a greater return on their investment in 
research. 
(5) The I-Corps program model has a strong 
record of success that should be replicated at all 
Federal science agencies. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) commercialization of federally funded re-
search can improve the Nation’s competitiveness, 
grow the economy, and benefit society; 
(2) I-Corps is a useful tool in promoting the 
commercialization of federally funded research by 
training researchers funded by the Foundation in 
entrepreneurship and commercialization; 
(3) I-Corps should continue to build a network 
of entrepreneurs, educators, mentors, and institu-
tions and support specialized education and training; 
(4) researchers other than those funded by the 
Foundation may also benefit from the education and 
training described in paragraph (3); and 
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(5) I-Corps should continue to promote a strong 
innovation system by investing in and supporting fe-
male entrepreneurs through mentorship, education, 
and training because they are historically underrep-
resented in entrepreneurial fields. 
(c) I-CORPS PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In order to promote a 
strong, lasting foundation for the national innova-
tion ecosystem and increase the positive economic 
and social impact of federally funded research, the 
Director of the Foundation shall set forth eligibility 
requirements and carry out a program to award 
grants for entrepreneurship and commercialization 
education, training, and mentoring. 
(2) EXPANSION OF I-CORPS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director— 
(i) shall encourage the development 
and expansion of I-Corps and other train-
ing programs that focus on professional 
development, including education in entre-
preneurship and commercialization; and 
(ii) may establish an agreement with 
another Federal science agency— 
(I) to make researchers, stu-
dents, and institutions funded by that 
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agency eligible to participate in the I- 
Corps program; or 
(II) to assist that agency with 
the design and implementation of its 
own program that is similar to the I- 
Corps program. 
(B) PARTNERSHIP
FUNDING.—In negoti-
ating an agreement with another Federal 
science agency under subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
Director shall require that Federal science 
agency to provide funding for— 
(i) the training for researchers, stu-
dents, and institutions selected for the I- 
Corps program; and 
(ii) the locations that Federal science 
agency designates as regional and national 
infrastructure for science and engineering 
entrepreneurship. 
(3) FOLLOW-ON GRANTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Director, in consultation with 
the Director of the Small Business Innovation 
Research Program, shall make funds available 
for competitive grants, including to I-Corps par-
ticipants, to help support— 
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