Biodiversity Field Trip Grant

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) – Division of Education

Agency: State

GrantWatch ID #176792

Grant Description

Grants to Illinois PreK-12 teachers to take students on excursions related to the state's natural heritage. Funding is intended to support trips for classroom and home-schooling teachers and their students to destinations within the state. Field trips should relate to the curriculum and explore some aspect of Illinois' biodiversity.

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Eligibility:

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

The grant funds are only available to teachers of prekindergarten through grade 12 students.

The funds are only available for use by classroom teachers in Illinois with their own students and to
home-schooling educators in Illinois with their own students.

The field trip destination must be in Illinois.

Ineligible:

Admission fees may be included as secondary expenses in the budget. However, secondary fees will only be awarded if ample funding exists, and any portion of them dedicated to food or lodging is not eligible.

Funds may not be used for afterschool programs.

The grant schedule does not allow for field trips in January or February.

Field trips to study agricultural topics will not be funded.

Equipment is not eligible for funding.

Pre-Application Information:

The application must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. January 31, 2023.

Notification is made to the winners by about March 15.

Contact the IDNR Division of Education with any questions that you have regarding changes in the scheduled trip (e.g. due to weather conditions, etc.).

Multiple teachers may apply on one application form if they are taking their own students on a field
trip on the same day, to the same location for the same purpose.

This grant is awarded on a reimbursement basis.

There is no limit to the number of teachers who can apply per school.

There is no limit on the number of times you can apply for the grant.

There is no limit to the number of applications per teacher. However, each trip must be represented by its own application.

Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant podcast: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Podcasts/IBFTG2018.mp3

Check out the Field Trip Tips: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/fieldtrip.aspx

Additional Funding Information:

Estimated Size of Grant:

The amount of funding available can be combined. For example, if four fourth-grade teachers want to take their students on one field trip, their application can be for a maximum of $2,000.

The maximum amount that can be spent on transportation on collaborative field trips is $1,000.

Term of Contract:

The funds must be used in the calendar year that they are awarded. The field trip must be completed by December 31 of the calendar year in which the funds are awarded.

Contact Information:

To apply online: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/IBFTG2023Application.aspx

For technical support, please contact Joe Bauer at 217-782-9741 or email joe.bauer@illinois.gov.

For questions, please contact the IDNR Division of Education at 217-524-4126 or dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Division of Education
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-782-6302