Every Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) project begins long before a solicitation is released. Months before researchers begin writing proposals, federal laboratories, defense agencies, and technical experts are working together to identify emerging mission needs and shape the research priorities that will guide the next funding round. The result is a collaborative process that connects Ohio's innovators with real-world federal challenges—and ultimately supports technologies with the potential to strengthen national security while growing Ohio's innovation economy.
Building research around mission needs
OFRN's collaborative model is what makes the program unique.
Working with organizations such as the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA Glenn Research Center, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D), and the Ohio National Guard, OFRN helps identify research priorities that reflect current federal needs.
Those priorities become the foundation for each solicitation, providing Ohio's universities, businesses and research institutions with clearly defined opportunities to develop technologies that can transition beyond the laboratory.
From solicitation to selection
Once a solicitation is released, research teams begin building partnerships, refining technical approaches and preparing proposals aligned with the published Areas of Interest (AOIs).
After proposals are submitted, they undergo a rigorous, multi-stage review that evaluates technical merit, mission alignment, feasibility and commercialization potential before funding decisions are made. The goal is to identify projects with the greatest potential to address federal priorities while advancing innovation, workforce development and economic growth across Ohio.
Throughout each project, OFRN works alongside awardees and federal stakeholders to help guide project execution, encourage collaboration, and support technology transition. By connecting government, industry and academia throughout the research lifecycle, OFRN helps move promising ideas closer to real-world application.
Start preparing now
The most competitive OFRN proposals rarely come together in a matter of weeks. They are the result of months of relationship-building, strategic planning and thoughtful collaboration.
For organizations interested in future funding opportunities, preparation starts well before the next solicitation opens. Building partnerships, refining research concepts and staying engaged with OFRN announcements can position teams to respond quickly when new opportunities become available.
When the next solicitation opens, your team will be ready to move quickly—and confidently—from concept to proposal.
Learn more about upcoming solicitations and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date when OFRN funding rounds are announced. https://ohiofrn.org/
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About Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN)
The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) has the mission to stimulate Ohio’s innovation economy by building statewide university-industry research collaborations that meet the requirements of Ohio’s federal laboratories, resulting in the creation of technologies that drive job growth for the State of Ohio. The OFRN is a program managed by Parallax Advanced Research in collaboration with The Ohio State University and is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI)
Parallax Advanced Research is a research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.
