The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is proud to be an affiliate of the NSF I-Corps™ Hub: Great Lakes Region, a national initiative designed to help academic researchers transform their ideas into real-world innovations. Hosted by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, the Milwaukee I-Corps™ Program offers faculty and students the opportunity to explore the commercial potential of their research or scholarship through intensive workshops, mentorship, and access to funding, including eligibility for a $50,000 NSF grant.
This fall, several Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students from the UWM School of Nursing participated in the I-Corps program, bringing forward projects that address critical gaps in healthcare access and delivery, especially for marginalized populations.
Among the standout projects:
- Expanding Access to Care for the Uninsured: A three-student team is developing strategies to improve rural healthcare access for individuals without insurance, with a focus on community-based solutions and policy advocacy.
- Healthcare Services for Homeless Women Engaged in Sex Work: Another project aims to deliver trauma-informed care and health services to a highly vulnerable population often overlooked in traditional healthcare systems.
- Harm Reduction for Opioid Users: A third student is designing an intervention rooted in harm reduction principles to support individuals struggling with opioid use, with a focus on safety, dignity, and recovery.
- Social Prescribing in Mental Health: A student from the psychiatric/mental nurse practitioner health track is exploring the launch of a clinic that integrates social prescribing—a model that connects patients with non-clinical services, such as community groups, arts programs, and physical activity, to improve mental well-being.
- Device Development for Clinical Use: One student is pursuing the development of a novel healthcare device, applying engineering principles to solve a practical challenge in patient care.
These projects exemplify the spirit of the I-Corps program, which bridges academic research with entrepreneurial thinking to create scalable, impactful solutions. Through the program’s structured bootcamps and mentorship, students learn to validate their ideas, understand market needs, and refine their innovations for broader application.
As these nursing students move through the I-Corps journey, they are not only advancing their individual projects—they are also contributing to a growing culture of innovation in healthcare, one that prioritizes equity, access, and community impact.
This could be YOU! Ready to start your DNP journey? Get more information and apply on the DNP program page.