Choose Ohio First Research Scholarship
Chancellor Seeks Proposals to Develop Innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEM) Programs That Attract and Retain Ohio's Talented Students
Will Award Students up to $50 Million over Five Years as Part of State’s $100 Million Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program
Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut today requested proposals from Ohio colleges, universities, and industry partners that seek to develop innovative academic programs to recruit and graduate more Ohio students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (the “STEM Fields”). The proposals are a part of Ohio's ongoing effort to remake its economy by increasing the role of Ohio’s higher education institutions in building the talent and research pipelines critical to the state’s economic success.
Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program Overview
The primary objectives of the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program (COFSP) are to support increased higher education participation and success of Ohio students majoring in STEMM and STEMM education fields and, in so doing, to advance the economic growth of each region of the state. By increasing the numbers of STEMM graduates, as well as the professional sophistication of Ohio's technical workforce, it is anticipated that new technology-based business opportunities will be created and new technology-based companies will be attracted to Ohio, each of which will have beneficial economic impacts for the regions of the state. This program advances these purposes by providing direct scholarship support to current and future higher education students who are pursuing STEMM and STEMM education degrees. The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is complementary to the other program included in the Ohio Innovation Partnership, the Ohio Research Scholars Program. Both programs develop human talent and statewide capacity for sustained innovation, technology advancement, and the commercialization of new technologies.
Student Access to Choose Ohio First Scholarships
The Chancellor has announced the institutions selected for funding in both rounds of competition. Awarded institutions will enter into an agreement with the Chancellor and funding will be allocated after July 1, 2008 for academic year 2008-09. After the universities and colleges that have successfully competed for new funds have identified the merit based students, scholarships will be awarded through each institution’s financial aid system. For more information on scholarship eligibility at a specific institution, please contact the chief academic officer or financial aid office at the institution of interest.
