NSF grant grows Oklahoma research IT network 

A $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation will expand Oklahoma’s research network for higher education institutions, adding five new institutions to the network, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education announced on Tuesday.

The OneOklahoma Friction Free Network, or OFFN, allows researchers to access high-speed internet and computing resources, making it easier and faster to share data between institutions. The five new additions will raise the total number of public and private Oklahoma colleges in the network to 26.

The new members are Mid-America Christian University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State University Biomedical Imaging Center, Rose State College and Western Oklahoma State College. The grant also includes specific funding to build-out high-speed fiber infrastructure at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

The network expansion “strengthens collaboration and provides new research and education experiences for faculty and students throughout the state,” said Allison Garrett, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education chancellor, in a press release.

The OFFN network has previously received four grants from the NSF, and is managed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and OneNet, Oklahoma’s research and education network.

“This project builds on the success of previous projects and extends OFFN’s high-speed connections and data transfer capabilities to our state’s smaller institutions,” said Brian Burkhart, OneNet’s chief technology officer, in a press release. “These investments foster science, innovation and new discoveries, enhancing economic growth for Oklahoma,” he said.