(A) All proposals must reflect the primary objectives of the Ohio research scholars program to provide support for an increase in highly-qualified research talent in critical STEM and medical areas with a focus on long-term regional economic development.
The Ohio research scholars program will provide support to strengthen and increase the number of clusters of research excellence, led by Ohio's academic institutions, to advance regional economic priorities. This will be achieved through (1) aggressive investment in the attraction of senior research talent and related facilities and equipment, and (2) promotion of unique collaborations needed to build and sustain the critical mass and scale of scientifically and commercially promising lines of research.
Clusters of research excellence are defined by a critical mass of distinguished and highly productive faculty and researchers, quality graduate students, infrastructure, and robust academics, business and government collaborations that have led or will lead to the attainment of international prominence in research and commercialization. The resources of a cluster must be aligned to pursue a specific technology or research focus area representing competitive differentiation that is a unique and sustainable signature which is difficult to imitate and overcome by others.
The Ohio research scholars program is complementary to the other program included in the Ohio innovation partnership, the choose Ohio first scholarship program. Both programs develop human talent and statewide capacity for sustained innovation, technology advancement, and the commercialization of new technologies.