Artificial Intelligence Integration in Community Colleges Grant Program

The Artificial Intelligence Integration in Community Colleges Grant Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Higher Education under the authority of House Bill 96 of the 136th General Assembly. The program is designed as a pilot initiative to support the advancement of artificial intelligence education and operational capabilities within Ohio’s community college system. The funding opportunity seeks to strengthen institutional capacity to integrate AI into both academic programming and administrative functions, with the broader goal of enhancing workforce readiness and aligning educational outcomes with evolving industry needs. The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to eligible Ohio community colleges so they can develop, expand, or implement artificial intelligence-related initiatives. These initiatives are expected to directly contribute to student success, faculty development, and institutional efficiency. The program emphasizes practical application, encouraging colleges to embed AI into credential programs, develop AI-focused College Credit Plus offerings, and provide students with hands-on experience through certifications and project-based learning. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to use AI tools to improve administrative processes and student services. Funding under this program is structured as competitive awards, with five grants of 100,000 dollars each distributed during the fiscal year. Eligible expenses include curriculum development, faculty and staff training, procurement of AI-related hardware and software, student skill-building initiatives, and contracting with external vendors to deliver program components. These allowable uses demonstrate a broad scope of flexibility while maintaining a clear focus on advancing AI integration in meaningful and measurable ways. Eligibility is limited to Ohio community colleges as defined by state law, including community colleges, technical colleges, and state community colleges established under relevant chapters of the Ohio Revised Code. Institutions may apply individually or as part of a consortium, and while previous recipients of similar funding are eligible, priority consideration will be given to institutions that have not yet received support under this initiative. This prioritization reflects an effort to expand access to resources across the state’s higher education system. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal package through the designated online portal. Applicants must provide a cover letter identifying key contacts, a detailed project narrative addressing specified criteria, and a budget with supporting justification. The project narrative must outline the design, rationale, implementation plan, evaluation methods, and alignment with institutional strategic goals. Proposals are evaluated based on how effectively they address these criteria, with final funding decisions made by the Chancellor following a competitive review process. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a release date in mid-March, a webinar for applicants shortly thereafter, and a firm application deadline in mid-April. Following submission, proposals undergo review beginning immediately after the deadline, with award notifications expected in May. Funds are anticipated to be disbursed during the summer months, and the grant period extends through the end of June of the following year. Applicants are also expected to comply with reporting requirements, providing ongoing updates and performance data to support program evaluation and legislative reporting obligations. Overall, this grant program represents a targeted investment in the modernization of community college education in Ohio. By supporting AI integration across academic and operational domains, the initiative aims to equip institutions with the tools and strategies necessary to prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape while improving institutional effectiveness and responsiveness to workforce demands.

Align proposal with workforce needs demonstrate measurable outcomes include strong evaluation plan and sustainability strategy