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DCEO Grant Opportunities

Grant ​Description
Energy Transition Community Grant Program Application Deadline: June 30, 2025: Energy Transition Community Grant Program will award grants to promote economic development in eligible communities. Grants must be used to plan for or address the economic and social impact on the community or region of plant retirement or transition.
Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA) Application Deadline: July 14, 2025: The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce and contractor programs.
Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (CEJA) Application Deadline: July 14, 2025: The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program will identify a network of at least 13 Illinois Clean Jobs Program delivery hub sites (“Workforce Hubs”) throughout the State to recruit and provide clean energy and related workforce training to job seekers. 
Connect Illinois Round 4 – Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Application Deadline: July 18, 2025:  BEAD-funded Connect Illinois Round 4 deploys broadband service to unserved and underserved locations. In accordance with the BEAD Program, this program prioritizes projects that provide fiber connectivity directly to the end-user while considering projects that use other technologies to ensure universal coverage.
Film and TV Workforce Training Program Application Deadline: July 30, 2025: The goal of the Film and TV Workforce Training Program is to train Illinois high school graduates (or equivalent) in entry level film and television production positions. These positions can include on set training (production assistants, hair and make up), office training (office production assistants, location assistants, production accountants), and other entry level positions to meet the increased demand for more workers to staff the growing number of productions in Illinois.
Clean Energy Career Pathway Program Application Deadline: September 30, 2025: The Clean Energy Career Pathway Program will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support the planning and implementation of a Clean Energy Career Pathway. Programs will include coursework, field experiences, and work-based learning designed to prepare students for entrance into careers focusing on electric vehicles. This funding opportunity seeks qualified, eligible public or private educational institutions at the secondary and post-secondary level that will work with the Local Workforce Innovation Areas and employers to recruit students into clean energy fields and create pathways encompassing technical and employability skills with dual credit options.
Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2) Application Deadline: December 15, 2025:  The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program Application Deadline: December 31, 2025: The funding is intended to address barriers to project, community, and business development in justice-impacted communities caused by a lack of available capital.
Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Program Application Deadline: December 31, 2025: The Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program will support pre-development and development of community solar projects that promote community ownership and energy sovereignty.
SBIR/STTR Match Program Application Deadline: June 30, 2026: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are competitive federal grant programs that provide funding opportunities for small businesses to perform research and development (R&D) on technology of interest to federal agencies. Both projects provide funding to explore the potential of high-tech products and encourage commercialization of those products. 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, 2026: 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.
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.
Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program (CEJA) Application Deadline: Rolling: The Returning Residents Program will deliver clean jobs training in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to individuals within 36 months of their release to prepare them to work in clean energy and related sector jobs upon release. The Program will provide classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, utilizing a standard Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework, connect Program graduates with potential employers in the clean energy industry, and address participant needs.
Illinois Reproductive Grant Expansion Program Application Deadline: Rolling:  Illinois Reproductive Grant Extension Program will provide grants for pregnancy centers which include organizations or facilities that has health care employees, volunteers, or agents who are licensed health care professionals. Pregnancy-related services include any medical service, or health counseling service, related to the prevention, preservation, or termination of pregnancy. Organizations are not to engage in unfair methods or deceptive acts or practices, including the use or employment of any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation to interfere with or prevent an individual from seeking to gain entry or access. 
Federal Grant Support Program This NOFO is closed to new applications.  Until new funding is released, please complete this interest form.  Once the program has been re-opened, we will notify interested organizations that have submitted to the form.
​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.