SBIR/STTR Matching Program (Illinois) is sponsored by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This program provides Illinois-based small businesses with state matching funds after receiving a federal SBIR or STTR award.

Apply for Funding - Grant Opportunities SCAM ALERT: DCEO has been made aware of organizations receiving fraudulent “notice of award” letters claiming to be from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. These are not legitimate notices from DCEO. If your organization receives a notice, please report it to the Federal Trade Commission and/or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Community College MTA Grant Application Deadline: June 26, 2026: The intent of this grant is to provide funding to a community college within Will County, Illinois for the renovation and expansion of existing facilities to create a 22,225 square foot Manufacturing Training Academy. CDBG Public Infrastructure Program Application Deadline: August 27, 2026: The program provides federal funding for a variety of community-based projects.

Communities in non-metropolitan areas can apply for grant funding to improve public infrastructure and eliminate conditions detrimental to public health, safety and public welfare. Local governments may request grant funds that allow public facilities to undertake projects designed to alleviate these conditions. Priority is given for water, sanitary and storm sewer projects.

CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program Application Deadline: August 27, 2026: The program targets housing projects which preserve single-family, owner-occupied housing and encourage neighborhood revitalization. The funds are available to local governments to address housing needs of eligible low-to-moderate income households.

Rehabilitation codes and standards which address mechanical, structural, energy efficiency and other associated rehabilitation activities should, at a minimum, incorporate applicable State plumbing, electrical and lead based paint codes as well as any local rehabilitation codes and standards. This program would provide a state match to companies that have received awards through the SBIR and STTR grant programs.

Business Attraction Prime Sites Application Deadline: June 30, 2027: The intent of this program is to assist companies with large-scale capital investment projects that commit to significant job creation for Illinois residents as they relocate or expand operations within Illinois.

Business Attraction Prime Sites grants can encompass a wide range of economic development projects and may include infrastructure and capital equipment purchases that will result in job creation in the state of Illinois. CDBG Community Revitalization Program Application Deadline: Rolling: The program provides federal funding for a variety of community-based projects.

Local governments in non-metropolitan areas can apply for grant funding to revitalize their community through sidewalk improvements, demolition, rehabilitation of publicly-owned commercial or industrial property, non-residential historic preservation and renovation or conversion of a closed building.

Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers Application Deadline: Rolling: The objective is to create an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth, including those who have been justice-involved.

The Department will award grants to eligible applicants who provide Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) business owners, entrepreneurs and/or dislocated workers with technical assistance, training, and access to resources necessary for their start-ups or existing businesses.

Small Business Development Centers Application Deadline: Rolling: The Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located throughout the state provide information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses.

In addition, the Illinois SBDCs help clients with securing needed business capital, marketing, exporting, commercialization of new ideas, development of innovative products and services. Client projects range from early-stage, pre-revenue concepts to established business operations.

Future Energy Job Act Multi-Cultural Application Deadline: Rolling: The Multi-Cultural Jobs Programs supports community-based, diversity focused organizations that strive to provide participants with development, economic or career-related opportunities within the clean energy sector.

Grants will support services the Economic Development Regions that are environmental justice communities and/or underrepresented populations living in communities that are eligible to receive workforce services.

ETIP - Strategic Sectors Single Company Grant NOFO Posting Application Deadline: Rolling: The ETIP Program aims to enhance employment opportunities for Illinois citizens by assisting Illinois employers in upgrading the technological skills of their workforce and introducing efficient business practices, allowing them to be more efficient and competitive and expand their market shares.

The training and upgraded skills will help facilitate increases in employee earnings, future employment opportunities, and economic self-sufficiency. Federal Grant Support Program - Round 2 Application Deadline: Rolling: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO)’s Federal Grant Support Program will make $16. 9 million available to Illinois-based proposals seeking competitive federal grants.

This match program will encourage more applicants to apply for federal grant opportunities, provide critical assistance to meet the minimum match eligibility requirements, increase the competitiveness of applications, and provide the State of Illinois with an opportunity to make a firm commitment and demonstration of support for projects that are well aligned with the State’s economic development goals and priorities.

Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program Application Deadline: Rolling: The program provides federal funding for community-based projects. Communities in non-metropolitan areas can apply for Economic Development funding to assist private business in retaining or creating full-time, permanent jobs.

Grant funds may also be used for improvements to public infrastructure that directly supports companies in local communities. ​ CDBG Disaster Response Program ​ Application Deadline: Rolling: This program is designed for communities experiencing an imminent and urgent threat to public health and safety as indicated by a disaster declaration by the Governor of the State of Illinois.

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