grants-for

Grants for Illinois Colleges & Universities

Explore 834 active, human-verified grants for colleges, universities, community colleges, trade schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) across Illinois. These grants support institutions and fund campus infrastructure, research, faculty initiatives, workforce development, technology, academic programs, and other institutional priorities. Discover funding from federal agencies, state programs, private foundations, and corporate grantmakers, updated daily.

Recipient type
State / Region
Nationwide / International
Grant category
Funding source type

834 grants found

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, and Agencies for Biomedical Research Centers

Deadline: 09/29/26

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, and agencies for biomedical technology research centers. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support technology de...

GrantWatch ID#: 230167

Grants to USA IHEs, Agencies, Nonprofits, and For-Profits for Digestive Disease Research

Deadline: 09/29/26

Grants to USA and territories IHEs, agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations to create research centers focused on digestive and liver diseases. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended ...

GrantWatch ID#: 230299

Grants to USA Entities to Support Workplace Safety Training Programs

Deadline: 10/29/26 LOI Date: 09/29/26

Grants to USA and territories IHEs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and agencies to provide support to workplace safety training programs. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to properl...

GrantWatch ID#: 230631

Scholarships to USA Military Caregivers and Spouses for Higher Education

Deadline: 09/30/26

Scholarships to USA caregivers and family members of injured veterans and service members for higher education at trade schools, colleges, and universities. Funding is intended to offset the costs of tuition, supplies, and books. The purpose of this program is to ...

GrantWatch ID#: 165044

Grants and Cooperative Agreements to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, IHEs, For-Prof...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants and cooperative agreements to USA, Canada, and International nonprofits, IHEs, commercial organizations, individuals, and government agencies to support ocean-related projects, sponsorships, and research. Applicants are advised that required registrations m...

GrantWatch ID#: 182597

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Investigators for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research

Deadline: 02/05/27 LOI Date: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International investigators affiliated with nonprofit and for-profit research institutions, medical centers, and universities to support innovative research on inflammatory bowel disease. Applicants are required to submit an LOI prior to...

GrantWatch ID#: 182892

Grants to USA Service Members and Relatives for Education-Related Expenses

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants of up to $750 to USA students and family members in eligible branches of the military for expenses related to acquiring a GED, higher education, or vocational training. Funding is intended to reimburse service members and relatives for education-related cos...

GrantWatch ID#: 191982

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Individuals to Advance the Health of Felines

Deadline: 12/30/26 LOI Date: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International researchers, PhDs affiliated with institutions, postdoctoral researchers, and new investigators for projects that improve the health of the domestic cat species. Applicants must submit a pre-proposal before applying. Fundin...

GrantWatch ID#: 192835

Grants to USA and Canada Physician-Scientists for Academic Career Development

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA and Canada physician-scientists for academic career development. Funding is intended for proposals addressing disease-oriented, basic biomedical, and translational research. Applicants must be physician-scientists (M.D., D.O., D.V.M., D.D.S.) who are...

GrantWatch ID#: 197579

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Hospitals, Medical Societies, and Institutions for Fe...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International community hospitals, medical societies and associations, and teaching institutions for fellowship training programs. Funding is intended for studies related to disease states and therapeutic areas addressed by the funding s...

GrantWatch ID#: 201245

Grants to USA Institutions and Organizations for Scientific Research Studies

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA research institutions and organizations for scientific studies related to the environment, physics, computing, and energy. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended for research that yi...

GrantWatch ID#: 202899

Grant to Illinois Nonprofits for Programming That Promotes Career Development

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants of up to $5,000 to Illinois nonprofit organizations for career development programs in eligible locations. Funding is intended for high school and post-secondary educational opportunities, as well as for technical and vocational programs to enhance workforc...

GrantWatch ID#: 203247

Grants to USA Individuals Experiencing Hardship to Assist with Various Expenses

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA individuals experiencing hardship to assist them with various expenses. Priority areas of focus include health challenges, mental illness, education, and drug abuse. Funding is intended to support and encourage people in overcoming obstacles and achi...

GrantWatch ID#: 207310

Grants to USA Academic, Industry, and Research Entities for Science and Engineering Research P...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA academic, industry, and research entities for a wide range of science and engineering research projects. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support projects that offer advance...

GrantWatch ID#: 209146

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA, Canada, and International PhD and MD Candidates for Data Co...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants of $3,000 and in-kind support to USA, Canada, and International PhD and MD candidates to facilitate data collection in academic research. Successful applicants will receive a one-year subscription to data collection software, technical support, and publicit...

GrantWatch ID#: 210421

Grants to USA, Canada, and International IHEs, Businesses, and Researchers for Long-Range Scie...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International IHEs, businesses, and researchers for long-range science and technology projects. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended to support projects that will bene...

GrantWatch ID#: 216100

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Research Centers to Forge Connections

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International research centers and educational and nonprofit institutes to forge contacts between institutions focusing on mathematics and the theoretical basic physical sciences. Funding is intended to strengthen connections within the ...

GrantWatch ID#: 222010

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, and IHEs to Develop High-Spe...

Deadline: 09/30/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, research institutions, and IHEs for preliminary studies on developing high-speed weapons systems. Applicants are advised to complete required registrations prior to submitting an appl...

GrantWatch ID#: 230252

Grants to USA Qualifying IHEs for Dental Laboratory Technology Education and Awareness

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants of up to $2,000 to USA qualifying IHEs to advance the awareness and education of laboratory technology within the dental profession. Funding is intended for accredited institutions that have an existing dental laboratory technology program, as well as for t...

GrantWatch ID#: 173249

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, Agencies, and Tribes for Technical Education Prog...

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, government agencies, and Tribal Nations for technical education programs. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. The purpose of the program is to produce mo...

GrantWatch ID#: 174409

Fellowships to USA and Canada IHE Math Faculty Members to Extend Research Sabbaticals

Deadline: 10/01/26

Fellowships to USA and Canada math teachers and administrators at IHEs to support the extension of sabbatical research leaves from a single term to a full academic year. The fellowship program is intended to support theoretical mathematics research and will provid...

GrantWatch ID#: 174439

Grants to USA Nonprofits in Multiple States for a Range of Programs that Benefit Local Residen...

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA nonprofit organizations in multiple states to address the needs of residents in communities where the funding source has a business presence. Funding is intended for activities and programs within the focus areas of community development, human servi...

GrantWatch ID#: 174764

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and International Scientists for Parkinson's Disease Research

Deadline: 02/23/27 LOI Date: 10/01/26

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and International early-career postdoctoral scientists and neurologists for research related to Parkinson's disease (PD). Applicants must submit a letter of intent before submitting a full application. The program offers two-year fellow...

GrantWatch ID#: 186991

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Students to Promote Scientific Research Achievements

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International undergraduate and graduate science and engineering students to promote scientific achievements and excellence in research. Funding is intended to support hands-on learning and to encourage students and mentors to forge clos...

GrantWatch ID#: 194368

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and International Scholars to Pursue Humanities Studies

Deadline: 10/01/26

Fellowships to USA, Canada, and International scholars to pursue studies in the humanities. Funding is intended for scholars focusing on any area of humanities, as well as the arts, the professions, public life, and natural and social sciences. The residencies wil...

GrantWatch ID#: 197702

Grants to USA IHEs and Nonprofits for Research Projects Related to STEM Education

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA researchers associated with IHEs, nonprofit organizations, and tribal nations to support fundamental research studies related to STEM education. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intende...

GrantWatch ID#: 204161

Grants to USA and Canada IHEs to Support the Establishment and Expansion of Risk Management an...

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA and Canada universities and colleges to support risk management and insurance programs at their institutions. Funding is intended to assist IHEs in the establishment of new programs as well as in the expansion of currently existing programs that are ...

GrantWatch ID#: 212394

Grants to USA Postdoctoral Researchers Affiliated with Research Institutions for Life Sciences...

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA postdoctoral researchers affiliated with nonprofit research institutions and universities for life sciences research projects. Funding is intended for basic biological research in a wide range of categories. Applicants may be awarded to non-US citize...

GrantWatch ID#: 223136

Grants to USA and Canada Nonprofits and Postsecondary Institutions to Encourage the Pursuit of...

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants of up to $9,000 to USA and Canada nonprofit organizations and postsecondary institutions for initiatives to encourage the pursuit of legal careers among individuals facing barriers to education and resources. Funding is intended for outreach activities, imp...

GrantWatch ID#: 225997

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Entities for Fibroblast Disorder Research

Deadline: 01/01/27 LOI Date: 10/01/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International academic institutions, research hospitals, consortia, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for collaborative research projects related to muscular dystrophies and other fibroblast-based disorders. Applicants must ...

GrantWatch ID#: 231311

Grant to a USA Senior Scholar to Coordinate an Academic Institute

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grant to a USA senior scholar to coordinate an academic institute. The applicant will organize a one- to two-week program addressing the issue of democracy from the perspective of marginalized communities. Participants will include PhD students, postdoctoral resea...

GrantWatch ID#: 231565

Grants to Illinois Dependents of Fallen Officers for College Tuition

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to Illinois individuals for college tuition and fees at approved colleges. Funding is intended to assist the dependents of police and fire officers who fell or became disabled in the line of duty to attain higher education. Grant funds will pay both tuition...

GrantWatch ID#: 231761

Grants to Illinois Dependents of Fallen Correctional Officers for College Tuition

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to Illinois individuals for college tuition and fees at approved colleges. Funding is intended to assist the dependents of correctional officers who fell or became significantly disabled in the line of duty to attain higher education. Grant funds will pay b...

GrantWatch ID#: 231762

Cooperative Agreements to USA Entities to Assist Unaccompanied Immigrant Minors

Deadline: 10/01/26

Cooperative agreements to USA nonprofit organizations, IHEs, for-profit organizations, tribes, and government entities to assist unaccompanied immigrant minors. Applicants must complete registrations before applying. Funding is intended for providing services and ...

GrantWatch ID#: 231876

Grants to USA Early-Career Researchers for Vision Science Research

Deadline: 10/01/26

Grants to USA early-career researchers for research related to vision science. Funding is intended to provide opportunities for new investigators to explore innovative and novel research ideas. Grant funds may be used for research-related expenses, including staff...

GrantWatch ID#: 232014

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, Agencies, and Tribes to Strengthen the Sheep Industry

Deadline: 10/02/26

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, public agencies, and tribes for projects to improve marketing and production in the domestic sheep industry. Applicants are advised that required applications may take several weeks to com...

GrantWatch ID#: 186055

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Early-Career and Graduate Student Psychologists to St...

Deadline: 10/02/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International early-career and graduate student psychologists to pursue innovative study in the practice of psychology. Funding is intended for research of various approaches to the practice. In addition to the cash grant, recipients may...

GrantWatch ID#: 191536

Grants to USA Nonprofits, Academic Institutions, and Agencies for an Historical Preservation P...

Deadline: 11/09/26 LOI Date: 10/02/26

Grants to USA nonprofit organizations, nonprofit academic institutions, and government agencies for an historical preservation project related to food. Applicants must submit an LOI prior to applying. Funding is intended for roadside signs commemorating regional a...

GrantWatch ID#: 219578

Grant to a USA, Canada, or International Psychologist or Graduate Student for Psychology Resea...

Deadline: 10/02/26

Grant of $10,000 to a USA, Canada, or International early-career psychologist or graduate student for psychology research projects related to individuals with disabilities. The purpose of the grant program is to support projects that address the stigma and pain ex...

GrantWatch ID#: 224521

Grants to USA Entities to Research How Children Interact with AI

Deadline: 10/02/26

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit and for-profit organizations, IHEs, and agencies for research on how children interact with AI. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended specifically to explo...

GrantWatch ID#: 230286

Cooperative Agreement to a USA Entity to Develop AI Tools for Medical Uses

Deadline: 10/02/26

Cooperative agreement to a USA or territories nonprofit or for-profit organization, agency, or IHE to create a collaborative center to develop AI tools for use in medical settings. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to comple...

GrantWatch ID#: 230664

Cooperative Agreement to a USA Entity to Test and Evaluate AI Tools for Healthcare

Deadline: 10/02/26

Cooperative agreement to a USA or territories IHE, nonprofit or for-profit organization, or agency to create a center to test and evaluate AI tools for healthcare. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is in...

GrantWatch ID#: 230666

Grant to a USA, Canada, and International Entity to Advance Decarbonization Modeling

Deadline: 10/02/26

Grant to a USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organization, IHE, institute, lab, or government agency to advance decarbonization modeling. Priority is given to collaborative proposals. The purpose of the program is to support projects that address key knowle...

GrantWatch ID#: 231993

Grants to USA Nonprofits, For-Profits, IHEs, Agencies, and Tribal Entities for Research Relate...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA and territories nonprofit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, agencies, and tribal entities for research related to healthcare delivery. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take six weeks or more to comp...

GrantWatch ID#: 204357

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Agencies, Nonprofits, For-Profits, and IHEs for Healt...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International agencies, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and IHEs for health research on a broad range of topics. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is intended for scien...

GrantWatch ID#: 215144

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, For-Profits, Agencies, and IHEs for Long-...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit and for-profit organizations, agencies, and IHEs for long-term research projects on children's language development. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding i...

GrantWatch ID#: 215602

Grants to USA, Canada, and International Nonprofits, IHEs, Agencies, and For-Profits for Resea...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International nonprofit organizations, IHEs, government agencies, for-profits, school districts, and Tribal organizations for research to accelerate the implementation of health interventions. Applicants must submit an LOI and complete t...

GrantWatch ID#: 217703

Grants to USA IHEs, Nonprofits, For-Profits, and Agencies for the Research and Development of ...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA and territories IHEs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and agencies for the research and development of interventions related to sleep health. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding is in...

GrantWatch ID#: 218306

Grants to USA, Canada, and International IHEs, Agencies, Nonprofits, and For-Profits to Conduc...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA, Canada, and International IHEs, agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations to conduct scientific health research that includes a clinical trial. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to complete. Funding...

GrantWatch ID#: 218826

Grants to USA Investigators at Nonprofits, IHEs, and Agencies for Research on Interventions Ad...

Deadline: 10/05/26

Grants to USA and territories investigators affiliated with nonprofits, for-profits, IHEs, government agencies, and tribes for research on interventions addressing healthcare disparities. Applicants are advised that the required registrations must be completed pri...

GrantWatch ID#: 221121
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How to Find & Apply for College & University Grants in Illinois

Securing institutional grant funding starts with identifying opportunities that match your college or university's facility, research, or program needs. Use the GrantWatch directory filters above to narrow your search by category, funding source, and deadline, covering campus infrastructure, research facilities, faculty support, and academic programs. GrantWatch is a full grant lifecycle platform, supporting every stage from prospecting through post-award reporting, with the Grant Prospecting Dashboard and Grant Funding Pipeline to track opportunities, GrantWatch Intelligence™ to uncover best-fit funders faster, and the AI Grant Writing Tool to accelerate proposal development. Team members within the same GrantWatch ecosystem can be added as seats on the Grant Funding Pipeline at no extra cost, and multiple user licenses are available for large institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to search or apply for grants on GrantWatch?

A free GrantWatch account includes newsletter updates, access to grant listings, and light use of the Grant Prospecting Dashboard, Grant Funding Pipeline, Claim Your Profile, and AI Grant Writing Tool features. To fully search, filter, and track grants as a serious grant seeker, a MemberPlus+ subscription is required. GrantWatch does not charge a fee to apply for a grant directly with a funding source, and never requires payment in exchange for a guaranteed award.

What types of grants are available for colleges and universities?

GrantWatch lists federal, state, corporate, and private foundation grants for colleges and universities across 61 categories, including research initiatives, faculty support, academic program development, and campus infrastructure.

Are there grants specifically for HBCUs and Hispanic-Serving Institutions?

Yes. GrantWatch lists grants specifically designated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), alongside grants open to all colleges and universities. Review each grant listing's eligibility criteria to confirm designation requirements.

Do community colleges and trade schools qualify, or only universities?

Eligibility requirements vary by funding source. Many grants are open to community colleges, trade schools, and universities alike, while others are restricted to a specific type of institution. Review each grant listing's specific criteria to confirm eligibility.

Can multiple team members at my institution collaborate on GrantWatch?

Yes. Team members within the same GrantWatch ecosystem can be added as seats on the Grant Funding Pipeline at no extra cost, allowing departments, grant offices, and research teams to collaborate on shared opportunities. GrantWatch also offers multiple user licenses for large institutions with broader collaboration needs.

How often is the GrantWatch grant database updated?

GrantWatch's research team human-verifies and updates listings daily, with over a thousand new grant opportunities added each week. Deadlines, eligibility rules, and award amounts are checked regularly to keep the database accurate.

Browse College & University Grants by USA Territories & Compact Free Associations