Grants, standards & toolkits.

Statewide hub for AI in Ohio schools, with the model policy, school and district supports, content-area integration guides for Ohio's Learning Standards, resources for students with disabilities, and funding information.

HB 96 required districts, community schools, and STEM schools to adopt an AI policy by July 1, 2026.

Reimbursement grants for small business expansion projects, with eligible costs including equipment, training, software development and technological improvements.

Up to $50,000 per project (typically no more than 50% of eligible investment) · Rolling; engage through a JobsOhio regional partner

Eligible: Businesses with over $100K revenue in a JobsOhio targeted industry, in a distressed zip code or owned by an underrepresented population; retail and B2C excluded

Reimburses Ohio employers for the cost of short-term, industry-recognized technology credentials earned by current or prospective employees, including AI, data, IT, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing credentials.

Up to $1,000 per person per credential; up to $30,000 per employer application · Deadline Oct 30, 2026

Eligible: Ohio employers registered with the Secretary of State, with an Ohio location and W-2 Ohio resident employees; public entities ineligible; one application per FEIN per period

City small business training program run with 11 entrepreneurial support organizations, offering free training in AI adoption, marketing, strategic planning and website design, including twice-monthly AI skills meetups.

2026 cohorts and sessions ongoing

Eligible: Businesses located in the City of Columbus (or Columbus residents with home-based businesses)

State model policy on student and staff use of AI for education, developed under House Bill 96 (due Dec 31, 2025). Ohio traditional public districts, community schools and STEM schools were required to adopt their own AI policy by July 1, 2026. Page last modified January 29, 2026.

May 2026 JobsOhio release: JobsOhio and the Enterprise Technology Association expanded the free AI Ready Ohio program, adding in-person AI certification training for 3,000+ people in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo areas plus statewide online training. The pilot launched November 2025 and surpassed certification goals by 170%.

State grants to Ohio colleges and universities that fund STEM scholarships, including computing fields, with a required work-based learning experience for recipients.

More than $26 million across 59 institutions (latest round) · Latest awards cover four years starting in the 2027-2028 academic year; students apply through participating institutions

Eligible: Students in STEM programs at participating Ohio institutions

Southwest Ohio seed-stage venture investor backing software/AI, industrial IoT and life sciences founders, with founder support as a state ESP partner.

Rolling; founders submit through Pitch Us

Eligible: Early-stage technology founders, primarily in Southwest Ohio

State-funded network of regional partners giving tech entrepreneurs integrated support services, deal flow and access to early-stage capital.

Ongoing; contact your regional ESP partner

Eligible: Technology-based startups and entrepreneurs in Ohio

Reimburses Ohio employers for part of the wages of high school interns in technology roles such as AI, software development, data, cloud, IT infrastructure and cybersecurity.

Up to 75% of intern wages, capped at $5,000 per intern · Administered through six regional intermediaries; 2026 application round opened February 2026

Eligible: Ohio employers hosting high school interns in tech roles; minimum 120 hours at $12/hour or more

Lets Ohioans earn short-term, technology-focused, industry-recognized microcredentials at no cost, with approved training providers reimbursed by the state.

Providers reimbursed up to $3,000 per completed microcredential · Individuals apply through participating training providers

Eligible: Ohio residents, with a focus on low-income, partially unemployed or unemployed Ohioans; provider requirements may apply

Competitive grants for business-led regional partnerships of employers, schools and workforce organizations that build training pipelines for in-demand sectors, including technology.

$5 million available in the Round 6 cycle · Round 6 closed February 27, 2026; watch for the next round

Eligible: Partnerships of 5+ private-sector employers plus 5+ education, workforce or economic development partners

Ohio's K-12 AI toolkit with guidance and resources for policymakers, teachers, and parents to advance AI readiness in schools. Also hosts regional OH AI forum recordings.

Supports corporations establishing new Ohio R&D centers that develop technology-enabled products in fields such as data analytics, cybersecurity, IoT and fintech.

Rolling

Eligible: Corporations with 5+ years operating history, revenue over $10 million, at least $3 million new cash investment and at least 5 new jobs

Milestone-based incentive for Ohio employers that enroll workers in approved technician associate degrees, certificates or registered apprenticeships, the first phase of a $300M experiential learning initiative that JobsOhio says will later add technology and AI pathways.

Up to $10,000 per worker ($1,000 enrollment, $4,000 intermediate, $5,000 completion) · Rolling; apply online

Eligible: Ohio employers in JobsOhio's 10 targeted industries paying participants at least $20/hour; workers must be Ohio residents in approved programs

Northeast Ohio nonprofit offering business assistance services and talent matching for tech startups, plus a venture arm investing seed through Series A in software, data analytics and other tech sectors.

Rolling

Eligible: Tech startups, primarily in Northeast Ohio; investment criteria listed at jumpstart.vc

Northeast Ohio manufacturing nonprofit offering consulting in Industry 4.0, automation, AI and data automation (smart quoting, dashboards, analytics) and cybersecurity.

Ongoing

Eligible: Manufacturers and manufacturing startups in Northeast Ohio

Statewide cyber range network offering virtual cybersecurity labs for colleges and high schools, camps and competitions, and bootcamps for adult learners and veterans that lead to CompTIA Network+ and Security+.

Ongoing

Eligible: Ohio students, educators, adult learners, veterans and researchers

Civilian teams of trained volunteers that give eligible Ohio municipalities cybersecurity assessments, education and incident response support.

Request support online anytime

Eligible: Eligible Ohio municipalities

State administrative policy governing AI planning, procurement, security, privacy, data governance, and AI Council approval for Ohio agencies, including human review of AI output. A strong model for Ohio local governments and public entities.

Statewide network of 20+ centers giving no-cost, confidential one-on-one business advising and training, including technology, innovation and cybersecurity support.

Ongoing; no cost

Eligible: Ohio small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs

Funds validation of university and research-institution technologies (Phase 1) and startups licensing those technologies (Phase 2), including software/IT and sensors.

Phase 1: $200,000 to $1 million (or $100,000 intern option); Phase 2: up to $200,000 · Round 46 proposals closed August 6, 2026, with awards expected October 2026; rounds recur periodically

Eligible: Ohio higher education, nonprofit research institutions and federal labs (Phase 1); startups licensing their technology (Phase 2)

Statewide strategy from Ohio's AI in Education Coalition, with recommendations from its Industry, Operations, and Instructional workgroups on bringing AI into the K-12 system.

Local centers across Ohio giving job seekers and employers hands-on help, including technology training, computer access and access to training funds where eligible.

Ongoing; services vary by location

Eligible: Ohio job seekers and employers; training funding eligibility varies by center

Central Ohio venture studio and investor that gives startups in SaaS/AI, deep tech and life sciences mentoring, market validation and venture-readiness support, plus Rev1 Labs workspace.

Rolling

Eligible: Early-stage, high-growth startups; Columbus-based with Midwest focus

Supports early-stage tech companies in Appalachian Ohio with intensive technical assistance, talent development and seed or co-investment.

Rolling

Eligible: Early-stage, high-growth tech companies in Southeast Ohio