Introducing the JobsOhio Research & Development Center Grant Program

Recently, the JobsOhio Board of Directors approved a new program – the JobsOhio Research & Development (R&D) Center Grant Program. Authorized with $50 million of initial funding, the R&D Center Grant Program is intended to extend the breadth and strength of Ohio research and development to help spur innovation and job creation.

Read below for a brief overview of the new Research & Development Center Grant Program, identification of some of the program’s unique features, and guidance on how interested for-profit companies or non-profit research institutes can present R&D Center Grant proposals to JobsOhio for consideration.

A New Approach to Research & Development

JobsOhio’s strategy is focused on nine sectors of the economy – Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace & Aviation, Automotive, Healthcare, Financial Services, Food Processing, Information Technology, Logistics & Distribution and Shale Energy & Petrochemicals.

The R&D Center Grant Program will allow JobsOhio to make strategic investments in new R&D Centers that support existing and emerging sectors. Examples of R&D Centers could include, among other areas of focus, Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Aero Propulsion, Smart Mobility, Biomedical, Carbon Fiber, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Financial Technology, Energy Storage/Fuel Cells, Internet of Things, Sensors and Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Review a complete program description here.

Unique Program Features

The JobsOhio R&D Center Grant Program is unique in several key ways. First, the JobsOhio program is specifically designed to be accessible to middle-market companies. In fact, the first JobsOhio R&D Center Grant was announced with Quality Electrodynamics (QED), a middle-market company in Mayfield Village, on July 22. For the full joint press release, see “Quality Electrodynamics, LLC to Bring Breakthrough Innovations in Imaging.”

Second, our program is specifically designed for for-profit companies and non-profit institutes. Universities may participate in new R&D Centers in a supporting role to for-profit companies or non-profit institutes, but universities may not serve as the lead applicant or recipient of program funds.

Third, the JobsOhio program is focused on commercialization and future production facilities that create jobs at scale. If an R&D Center (that receives JobsOhio funding) is successful and commercializes a product or service, JobsOhio will have a right to present site alternatives in Ohio as part of the site evaluation process.

Working With JobsOhio

If you have an R&D Center that may meet our new program’s criteria, contact the relevant JobsOhio sector team or reach out to your local JobsOhio Regional Network Partner.

Contact information for each of our sector teams is available on our industry pages and similar information for each of the six Regional Network Partners as well.