State Commission Issues RFPs For Opioid Breakthroughs

Ohio's Third Frontier Commission has released its requests for proposals involving scientific breakthroughs that could help solve the U.S. opioid crisis, and for the manager of a related technology challenge. The commission says solicitations keep with the state's accelerated timetable. Ohio Governor John Kasich called for 20 million dollars in commission investments during his April State of the State address. The panel agreed May 24 to move forward. It will award up to 12 million dollars in competitive research-and-development grants and launch an 8 million dollar innovation challenge. The requests seek grant applicants and a manager for the challenge. It is being modeled after the Head Health competition launched by the NFL, Under Armour and GE to address traumatic brain injuries. Ohio leads the nation in opioid-related overdose deaths.