The OFRN's research projects create jobs and commercialize technology in and for Ohio
The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) projects are aligned with federal requirements; have a clear path to job creation; capitalize on Ohio’s investment involving multiple Ohio research universities and firms that provide cost-share to leverage the Ohio investment further; and attract other Department of Defense and industry funding in Ohio.
Each OFRN research project goes through a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process where it is thoroughly vetted by the OFRN Technical Advisory Counsel and Federal partners from NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA GRC), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), the Naval Aerospace Medical Unit – Dayton (NAMRU-D), and the Ohio National Guard; and are approved by the OFRN Executive Advisory Board before submitted for final approval by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
OFRN is not an investment fund. The bulk of OFRN financial resources are entrusted by The Ohio Legislature and are earmarked for various projects identified by OFRN partners and collaborators.
The OFRN's Research Projects
The OFRN research COE and Sustaining Ohio’s Aeronautical Readiness and Innovation in the Next Generation (SOARING) Initiative were developed after a thorough review of the strategic plans and priority planning documents of the Air Force, DoD, NASA-GRC, and the State of Ohio as well as through an iterative review of and briefings on federal requirements provided by AFRL, NASIC, NAMRU-D, and NASA-GRC.
Centers of Excellence (COEs) - Rounds 1 & 2
COE-led projects were designed to build collaborative partnerships among leading Ohio-based public and nonprofit research organizations, forward-thinking businesses, and federal laboratories. COE projects include rounds 1 and 2.
Sustaining Ohio’s Aeronautical Readiness and Innovation in the Next Generation (SOARING) Initiative - Round 3 to 5
SOARING projects leverage Ohio’s unique aerospace assets to assist recipients in overcoming critical technical barriers and business challenges to enable more widespread adoption of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into national aerospace. SOARING research projects include rounds 3 - 5.
COE and SOARING research topics include:
Quantum Communications, Cyber, Position, Navigation, and Timing
Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Power & Propulsion
Energy Storage & Integration
Human Performance, Human Factors & Health Sciences
Materials & Manufacturing
Personal Air Vehicles (PAVs), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Heavy-lift Logistics Delivery Vehicles (LDAVs), and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Vehicles (eVTOLs)
Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics
Space Commercialization
Advanced Power Systems
The OFRN Research Projects Infographic
This infographic illustrates each of the OFRN-funded research projects to date and where they align in application. You can download this interactive PDF by submitting your email below:
