Upcoming Grant Trainings
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity offers free grant training sessions covering pre-qualification, writing strong applications and understanding capital grants.
View the full training schedule here.
State Grants
Clean Vessel Act Program
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2025
Competitive grants for construction of pumpouts and dump stations at marinas.
Funding: Up to 75% of project cost
Eligibility: Private marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs.
Illinois Grocery Initiative – Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)
Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025
Grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades at grocery stores.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Independently owned for-profit, cooperative or nonprofit grocery stores.
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2025
Addresses barriers to development in justice-impacted communities through capital access.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Certified Illinois Equity Eligible Contractors.
Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program
Deadline: Dec. 31, 2025
Supports development of community-owned solar projects.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Qualified community-based organizations and public entities meeting program criteria.
Overflow & Sewer Grant (OSG) Program
Deadline: Rolling, reviewed monthly until Jan. 1, 2027
Assists local governments with infrastructure to address sewer overflows and stormwater management.
Funding: Up to 80% of project costs
Eligibility: Local governments.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Economic Development
Deadline: Rolling
Supports community projects that retain or create permanent jobs and infrastructure supporting local businesses.
Funding: Federal CDBG funds
Eligibility: Non-metropolitan communities.
CDBG Disaster Response Program
Deadline: Rolling
Funds projects addressing urgent threats to public health and safety following a disaster declaration.
Funding: Varies
Eligibility: Eligible municipalities and counties not receiving direct HUD entitlement funds.
Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program
Deadline: Rolling
Provides clean jobs training to individuals within 36 months of release from Illinois Department of Corrections facilities.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Community-based organizations with history serving justice-involved individuals.
Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program
Deadline: Rolling until funds are depleted
Supports facility improvements, construction and equipment purchases for reproductive health providers.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Facilities providing or planning to provide abortion care in Illinois.
DCEO Business & Workforce Grants
IL Works Bid Credit Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Incentivizes contractors to employ and retain graduates of the IL Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program by awarding bid credits for public works projects.
Funding: Bid credit value
Eligibility: Contractors and subcontractors registered with DCEO’s BCP system.
SBIR/STTR Match Program
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Provides matching funds for Illinois small businesses with federal SBIR/STTR Phase I awards.
Funding: Varies
Eligibility: For-profit Illinois businesses with SBIR/STTR Phase I awards.
Business Attraction Prime Sites
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Supports large-scale capital investment projects that create significant Illinois job growth.
Funding: Varies
Eligibility: Businesses relocating to or expanding in Illinois, meeting job creation and investment thresholds.
Federal Grants
Contraceptive Development Research Center
Deadline: Estimated Nov. 12, 2025
Funds multidisciplinary research on new contraceptive methods and translational studies.
Funding: Not specified
Eligibility: Higher education institutions, governments, small businesses, nonprofits.
Leveraging Network Infrastructure for Research in Women, Children, and Persons with Disabilities
Deadline: Estimated Nov. 15, 2027
Supports clinical trials and observational studies using NICHD research networks.
Funding: $6.25 million total
Eligibility: Eligible research institutions and organizations.
