Quick View Choose Ohio First FY26 RFP

Summary

Choose Ohio First (COF) is Ohio’s signature STEM scholarship program – designed to grow Ohio’s talent pipeline in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and increase the number of qualified STEM teachers at both the K-12 and collegiate levels.

ODHE will award funding for scholarships with the expectation that institutions will commit to increase the total number of students enrolling and completing STEM degrees and credentials. ODHE will closely evaluate past performance and enrollment growth projections in applications.

All COF proposals must include work-based learning opportunities for scholarship recipients. Examples include robust co-op education, internships, laboratory research, or similar experiences supporting permanent employment in Ohio.

Proposals that are integrated with the strengths of the regional economy by demonstrating the ability to increase enrollment and completion in STEM programs, aligned with JobsOhio’s target economic sectors, connect students with Ohio-based employers filling critical jobs and/or jobs offering strong wages, and/or have been identified by JobsOhio and/or the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation will receive additional consideration.

Important Dates

Request for Proposals (RFP) Release Date:             December 17, 2025

Informational Webinar                                                January 23, 2026 at 11:00 A.M.

          recording link: 

https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/video/upload/v1769455439/highered.ohio.gov/cof/Sequence_01-emily-edit.mp4

Proposals Due:                                                           March 2, 2026, at 11:59 P.M.

Proposal Review Begins:                                            March 3, 2026

Public Meeting:                                                           TBD

Notification of Awarded Proposals:                             Summer 2026

Portal information last updated:                                  February 20, 2026