Illinois State Grants

Board Of Higher Education · $10K–$25K

This fellowship is open only to individual nursing faculty at Illinois institutions with an accredited pre-licensure RN program, and applicants must be nominated by their institution's chief nursing administrator rather than applying directly. Awards of $10,000–$25,000 supplement the salary of selected nursing educators, and each eligible institution may nominate no more than three faculty members per year. Applicants must be Illinois residents with at least a master's degree in nursing, at least 12 months of full-time teaching experience at the nominating institution, and must not have received the fellowship in the prior year.

Finance Authority · Up to $1M

Illinois' Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (funded by the federal Inflation Reduction Act) offers up to $1,000,000 to help municipalities adopt and implement Illinois' Stretch Energy Code for more energy-efficient buildings. Eligibility is limited strictly to municipalities (cities, villages, or incorporated towns) as defined by Illinois law; non-municipal entities, including counties, nonprofits, and businesses, are not eligible to apply, though municipalities may use consultants to prepare applications. The deadline is December 31, 2026.

Environmental Protection · Up to $35K

This Illinois EPA grant (FY27) reimburses units of local government up to $35,000 for costs of running a residential sharps (needle) collection program, including advertising, educational materials, collection containers, and disposal fees. Only local government units that are pre-qualified through the state's GATA Grantee Portal with an approved Internal Control Questionnaire are eligible; nonprofits and businesses cannot apply, and only residential (not business) sharps waste is covered. The deadline is March 1, 2027.

State Board of Elections · Amount varies

This grant is restricted to Illinois county clerks and executive directors who administer elections; no other organizations or individuals are eligible to apply. Funds cover maintenance and other costs of connecting the local voter registration system to the state's centralized statewide system, plus related election security costs. The award amount is not specified in the posting.

Commerce And Econ Opp · $1–$250K

This Illinois Commerce and Economic Opportunity program provides matching funds, from $1 up to $250,000, intended to support small businesses that have won or are pursuing federal SBIR/STTR research awards. No detailed eligibility text is listed, so applicants should verify SBIR/STTR award status and other requirements with the agency. The deadline is set far out (June 2027).

Emergency Mgt Agency · Amount varies

Illinois' Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program (SFY27) is a state-funded program supporting local government planning, training, and exercises for off-site disaster response near a nuclear power plant. Funding is limited to local governmental entities located within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone around a nuclear facility, so most organizations outside that specific geographic zone are not eligible. The deadline is June 30, 2027.

Commerce And Econ Opp · $250K–$25M

This Illinois Commerce and Economic Opportunity program funds business attraction to prime development sites, with awards ranging from $250,000 up to $25 million. The listing does not specify eligible applicant types or a detailed scope, so applicants should confirm eligibility directly with the agency before applying. The deadline is set far out (June 2027), leaving ample time to prepare.

Illinois Arts Council · $6K–$600K

This Illinois Arts Council program funds public radio and television activities in Illinois, with awards ranging from $6,000 to $600,000. This listing does not include eligibility or program-description details, so applicant type, cost-share, and other requirements are not confirmed here — check the Illinois Arts Council directly before assuming eligibility. Deadline is August 31, 2027.

Department Of Natural Resources · Amount varies

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources capital grant line is restricted to recipients already named as line-item appropriations in the State of Illinois FY22 budget — it is not open to general applicants. It funds local government capital projects. Award amounts were not specified in the listing.

Natural Resources · $50K–$350K

Open to Illinois units of local government, universities, and nonprofit organizations for coastal planning, coastal hazards, habitat protection, and related education/outreach projects. Private individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible, and all applicants must be pre-qualified through the State of Illinois GATA grantee portal before applying. This is a reimbursement grant (you pay costs first and are reimbursed), with awards between $50,000 and $350,000.

Natural Resources · $5K–$150K

Government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources grant funding Great Lakes habitat and species protection, restoration, and management priorities under the Aquatic Nuisance Species Comprehensive Management Plan. Awards range from $5,000 to $150,000.

Natural Resources · $30K–$2M

Government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources grant funding invasive carp removal and monitoring activities in the Upper Mississippi River. Awards range from $30,000 to $2,000,000.

Commerce And Econ Opp · Up to $250K

This Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity funding line, the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Response Program, offers awards up to $250,000. The listing doesn't include eligibility criteria or a program description — check the DCEO grant portal or contact the agency to confirm who may apply and what it funds.

Illinois Arts Council · $9K–$43K

An Illinois Arts Council grant supporting public radio and television, with awards ranging from $9,000 to $43,000, but no eligibility criteria or project description is listed here. Applicants should confirm with the Illinois Arts Council whether this is limited to licensed public broadcasting stations or open more broadly.

Natural Resources · Amount varies

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources capital grant program funds specific projects named directly in the state's annual appropriation bill, covering local governments, units of government, educational facilities, and not-for-profit organizations for natural resource, recreation, and cultural resource purposes. Eligibility is restricted to entities explicitly named in the legislature's line-item appropriation, so organizations not already designated in the budget bill cannot apply on their own initiative. No deadline or award amount is listed.

Natural Resources · Amount varies

Illinois' Recreational Access Program, funded through the federal Voluntary Public Access & Habitat Incentive Program, supports public access and habitat improvement projects on privately leased land, but it is open only to government organizations. Private landowners, nonprofits, and businesses are not eligible to apply directly. No award amount or deadline is listed.

Department of Natural Resources · $10K–$10M

Open to government agencies, schools/universities, and nonprofits working on wildlife and habitat projects. Funds restoration, conservation, and management of wild birds and mammals and their habitat, plus public access, hunter education/safety, and shooting range development. Awards range widely from $10,000 to $10 million; no deadline is listed, so check with the funder for current cycle timing.

Natural Resources · Amount varies

This Illinois Natural Resources pilot program funds conservation education and employment opportunities for young Illinois residents ages 15–25. Per the eligibility text, grants are limited to Illinois units of local government and nonprofit entities providing this programming — despite a conflicting 'for-profit' category label elsewhere in the listing. Award amounts were not specified (marked TBD).

Commerce And Econ Opp · $80K–$525K

This Illinois DCEO program funds Small Business Development Centers, which provide counseling and support services to small businesses, with awards between $80,000 and $525,000. The listing doesn't specify who may apply to host a center (typically universities or nonprofits) — confirm eligibility with DCEO.

Transportation · Amount varies

This listing (Aviation Fuel Tax Program, from the state Transportation department) has no eligibility criteria, description, or award amount on file, so it is not possible to determine who can apply or what it funds from the available information. Applicants should contact the funder directly for program details before pursuing this opportunity.