The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) is inviting companies and other organizations to bid for funding under the Sustaining Ohio’s Aeronautical Readiness and Innovation in the Next Generation (SOARING) initiative. $15 million is on offer for project teams that must include at least two Ohio colleges or universities and at least one company based in the state. Each company could be awarded between $750,000 and $2 million. 

For the Round 5 SOARING initiative, the main areas of interest include artificial intelligence for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, human-machine teaming, data analytics, and advanced power systems. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 25, 2021.

The chosen research projects are intended to align with work being conducted by several federal organizations operating in Ohio. These include the Air Force Research Laboratory, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Glenn Research Center.

The OFRN also consults with the Ohio Department of Transportation and the State of Ohio’s Adjutant General on its mission priorities. Funding for SOARING Round 5 is being provided by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the program is administered by Parallax Advanced Research.

The formal launch for the funding round will be on January 6, 2021. Organizations selected for a final pitch day on May 4 will be notified on March 19. Project work is due to start on May 24.

The OFRN team can help applicants to find suitable partners for their proposal submissions. This free service is available through the group’s website.