Notices of Funding Opportunities and Awards
Featured Funding Opportunity
Washington, D.C. | February 4 2026 | CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (NSF 26-503) | Government and the nation face a talent shortfall in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service (CyberAI SFS) program welcomes proposals that address AI and cybersecurity education and workforce development. CyberAI refers to using AI in cybersecurity as well as providing security and resilience for AI systems.
The Scholarship Track provides funding to establish, or to continue, scholarship for service programs with integrated AI and cybersecurity components (CyberAI). Scholarship recipients must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and work after graduation in the AI or cybersecurity mission of a government organization for a period of at least the length of the scholarship.
The Innovation Track supports projects that enhance preparation of AI and/or cybersecurity professionals. Projects may expand existing educational opportunities, curricula, degree programs, educational pathways, methods and interventions, and partnerships among institutions of higher education, government, and employers.
Two statutes authorize this program: 15 USC §7442(cybersecurity) and42 USC §18993(AI). CyberAI SFS aligns with the Executive Order 14277 to prioritize AI within scholarship for service programs. Estimated Awards: 25. Total Funding: Not Clear. Award Ceiling: $2,500,000 (Scholarship Track); $500,000 (Innovation Track). Closing Date: April 3 2026.
Funding Opportunities
Springfield, Ill. | February 27 2026 | FY27 Adult Education and Literacy Basic Competitive Grant (Non- Match State Funding) ( CSFA Number 684-01-1625) | This Notice of Funding Opportunity is offered to solicit applications for federal and state adult education funds.Through this competitive process, ICCB seeks to strengthen Area Planning Councils through accountability, improve regional coordination, and ensure adult education services are aligned with career pathways, workforce demand, and measurable outcomes. (Illinois Policy). Estimated Awards: 70. Total Funding: $51,200,000. Award Ceiling: Not specified. Closing Date: April 30 2026.
Springfield, Ill. | February 27 2026 | FY27 Adult Education and Literacy Basic Competitive Grant – WIOA Title II AEFLA (CSFA #684-01-1625) | This Notice of Funding Opportunity is offered to solicit applications for federal and state adult education funds. Through this competitive process, ICCB seeks to strengthen Area Planning Councils through accountability, improve regional coordination, and ensure adult education services are aligned with career pathways, workforce demand, and measurable outcomes. (Illinois Policy). Estimated Awards: 70. Total Funding: $$11,798,500. Award Ceiling: Not specified. Closing Date: April 30 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 25 2026 | The Reentry Employment in Skilled Trades, Advanced Manufacturing, Registered Apprenticeships, and Training (RESTART) Initiative (FOA-ETA-26-17) | RESTART supports the advancement of workforce readiness skills and the attainment of employment for ex-offenders across three populations: youth (ages 15-17 years old), young adults (ages 18-24 years old), and adults (ages 25 years old and above). Funds will be awarded to eligible entities to develop programs to train ex-offenders for high-need American jobs and assist them in being productive contributors to the U.S. economy. Estimated Awards: 20. Total Funding: $81,000,000. Award Ceiling: $5,100,000. Closing Date: April 15 2026.
Springfield, Ill. | February 20 2026 | AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional (CSFA #444-80-2808) | The general purpose of the funding is to support eligible organizations that identify an unmet need in their community to be addressed by AmeriCorps members. Funded projects are expected to achieve outcomes in the areas of education, economic opportunity, healthy futures, or support for veterans for the public good. Estimated Awards: 8. Total Funding: $3,000,000. Award Ceiling: $800,000. Closing Date: March 23 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 19 2026 | BJA FY25 Smart Reentry Demonstration Program (O-BJA-2025-172494) | his NOFO supports state, local, and Tribal governments to implement comprehensive and collaborative reentry strategies to increase the likelihood of successful reentry for adults leaving prison, jail, or supervision, and establish or expand a program or service (“intervention”) to reduce recidivism. Interventions may address a variety of needs related to reentry as outlined in section 101, subsection (b) of the Second Chance Act (34 USC §10631- Adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects). Please see the Eligible Applicants section for the eligibility criteria. Estimated Awards: 4. Total Funding: $4,000,000. Award Ceiling: $1,000,000. Closing Date: March 19 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 19 2026 | Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (26-506) | The Pathways to Enable Secure Open-Source Ecosystems (PESOSE) program supports the translation of open-source science and engineering-focused research products into safe and sustainable ecosystems that address national and societal challenges. Open-source tools such as software, hardware, machine learning models, languages, and data platforms are designed to be shared as they are publicly-accessible and modifiable. These tools spark innovation in critical fields as varied as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, banking, healthcare, research, education, next-gen manufacturing, mobility, and National security (including cybersecurity). PESOSE supports the creation of managing organizations for these ecosystems, ensuring strong governance, distributed development, and broad user communities across academia, industry, and government. PESOSE also supports enhancements to the safety, security, and privacy of Open-Source Ecosystems (OSE) by addressing significant vulnerabilities, both technical and socio-technical, to improve the resistance of the ecosystem against threats. This solicitation seeks three types of proposals, allowing teams to propose specific activities to: 1) scope and plan the establishment of an OSE, 2) establish and expand a sustainable OSE based on a robust, promising open-source product that meets an emergent societal or national need, and 3) improve the safety, security, and privacy of an existing OSE and its products. Estimated Awards: 60. Total Funding: $40,000,000. Award Ceiling: $1,500,000. Closing Date: September 1 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 18 2026 | OJJDP FY25 Second Chance Act Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents and Their Minor Children (O-OJJDP-2025-172513) | This NOFO will provide funding to develop or expand programs in juvenile and adult detention or correctional facilities to respond to the needs of incarcerated parents and their children to reduce the likelihood of antisocial behaviors, future involvement in the juvenile justice system, and recidivism; and support responsible parenting that leads to healthy child development, resiliency, and improved interactions among incarcerated parents and their minor children, family, and community members. Estimated Awards: 5. Total Funding: $4,200,000. Award Ceiling: $750,000. Closing Date: March 30 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 18 2026 | OJJDP FY25 Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program (O-OJJDP-2025-172511) | This NOFO will provide funding to support states, units of local government, and federally recognized Native American Tribal governments in partnership with interested persons (including federal corrections and supervision agencies), service providers, and community-based organizations to provide (1) comprehensive reentry services for moderate- to high-risk youth before, during, and after release from confinement, and (2) support transitional services to assist youth to successfully reenter the community. Estimated Awards: 18. Total Funding: $13,650,000. Award Ceiling: $750,000. Closing Date: March 30 2026.
Springfield, Ill. | February 17 2026 | Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program (CSFA #406-01-3252) | The Illinois Department of Agriculture (the “Department” or “IDOA”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants through the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Act…The purpose of this program is for the development of local food processing, aggregation and distribution. All grant funding provided under this Act must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products. Estimated Awards: Not Specified. Total Funding: $3,600,000. Award Ceiling: $250,000. Closing Date: March 28 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 17 2026 | Value-Added Producer Grant (RDBCP-VAPG-2026) | The objective of this grant program is to assist viable Agricultural Producers, Agricultural Producer Groups, Farmer and Rancher Cooperatives, and Majority-Controlled Producer-Based Businesses in starting or expanding value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of Value-Added Agricultural Products. Grants will be awarded competitively for either planning or working capital projects directly related to the processing and/or marketing of value-added products. Generating new products, creating and expanding marketing opportunities, and increasing producer income are the end goals of the program. All proposals must demonstrate economic viability and sustainability to compete for funding. Estimated Awards: 185. Total Funding: $25,000,000. Award Ceiling: $200,000. Closing Date: April 22 2026.
Washington, D.C. | February 13 2026 | National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure (26-505) | The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NQNI) program will empower researchers nationwide to advance critical and emerging technologies. Through NQNI, NSF will establish an open-access network of research facilities to spur innovations in future quantum technologies, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, biotechnology, and other areas of national priority. The NQNI solicitationestablishes a competition for a network of university user facility Sites. The selection of user facility Sites will be based on their technical capabilities and instrumentation (specifically, fabrication, characterization, and expertise) to address current and anticipated user needs across quantum information science and engineering (QISE), nanoscience, nanoengineering, and nanotechnology. Site selection will also be based on plans to open facilities and instrumentation for external use, education, training, outreach, and workforce development. In a later stage, NSF will select an NQNI Coordinating Office from among the Sites; the Coordinating Office will enhance and coordinate NQNI collective impacts that serve the Nation’s quantum and nanotechnology innovators. Estimated Awards: 16. Total Funding: $100,000,000. Award Ceiling: $2,000,000 per year (FY 2026-2030). Closing Date: May 14 2026.
Springfield, Ill. | February 11 2026 | Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Program (CSFA #532-30-3653) | The Resilient Energy for Wastewater Infrastructure (REWI) Grant Program funds the implementation of solar energy and battery storage at publicly owned wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewater infrastructure is vital for maintaining public health, environmental safety, economic stability and overall community functionality. Traditionally designed for reliability, these systems encounter new stressors from hazardous weather, aging assets, cyber threats, and population changes. Investing in resilient infrastructure not only extends the life of wastewater facilities but also reduces operational costs and enhances community well-being, especially during severe weather events. Key benefits include minimizing service disruptions, managing risks more effectively, and creating more cohesive system-wide planning strategies. The REWI Grant Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) State Energy Program (SEP) from supplemental appropriations authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Estimated Awards: 16. Total Funding: $7,000,000. Award Ceiling: $2,000,000. Closing Date: April 30 2026 @ 5PM CST.
Springfield, Ill. | February 4 2026 | Illinois Innovation Vouchers | The Illinois Innovation Voucher Program is here to supercharge your business! Backed by the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Pritzker, this initiative fuels collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Illinois’ top higher education institutions. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge products or need access to advanced labs and expert research, the Innovation Voucher empowers SMEs to innovate and compete. This isn’t just funding—it’s a game-changer for turning bold ideas into market-ready solutions. Estimated Awards: Not specified. Total Funding: $2,600,000. Award Ceiling: $75,000. Closing Date: Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Springfield, Ill. | February 18 2026 | Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant | The Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act created the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program for the development of local food processing, aggregation and distribution. Starting in Illinois Fiscal Year 2025, the Illinois Department of Agriculture will administer the grant. The LFIG is intended to assist Illinois applicants with purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installation of infrastructure that will increase market access of Illinois agricultural products to Illinois communities. Funding can support value-added processing, livestock processing, milling, dairy, refrigerated vehicles, food hubs, community kitchens and other critical pieces of the local food supply chain. Estimated Awards: Not specified. Total Funding: $3,600,000. Award Ceiling: $250,000. Closing Date: March 27 2026.
Springfield, Ill. | February 9 2026 | Peacekeepers (CSFA #444-80-3781) | The Peacekeeper program is implemented through the Hub and Spoke model. The selected Providers are the hubs which sub-award to Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) Violence Prevention Services (VPS) organizations which are the spokes. See current list of RPSA VPS Grantees in Appendix A. Applicants may propose to subaward to non RPSA violence prevention organization with Office for Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) approval. The selected Hubs provide fiscal and programmatic oversight to each subrecipient/spoke. Subrecipients/Spokes will be required to track and manage their expenditures and report them to the Hubs. Estimated Awards: 2. Total Funding: $30,000,000. Award Ceiling: $15,000,000. Closing Date: March 12 2026 5:00PM CT.
Springfield, Ill. | Not Specified | Quantum Works: Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (511-00-3947) | [A noncompetitive grant to fund quantum research office and labs as specified in Article 140, Section 20 of Public Act 104-0003.] “Subcontractors are subject to all applicable provisions of the grant agreement executed between CDB and the grantee. The successful applicant shall retain sole responsibility for the performance of its subcontractor(s).” Estimated Awards: Not Specified. Total Funding: $136,900,000. Award Ceiling: Not Specified. Closing Date: Not Specified.
Grant Awards
Chicago, Ill. | February 19 2026 | CPS Receives $1.7M Grants to Expand Arts Opportunities | Arts education across Chicago is expanding for CPS students as $1.7 million in grants is awarded to 125 Chicago Public Schools (CPS). The grants will support projects that connect students with arts organizations to strengthen artistic skills, deepen community connections, and build leadership. The Arts Partnerships Residency grants are awarded through the Creative Schools Fund (CSF), a public-private grant program owned and managed by Ingenuity and supported by CPS and the City of Chicago.
Springfield, Ill. | February 19 2026 | Illinois joins suit to halt federal energy and infrastructure cuts | Illinois has joined another lawsuit against the Trump administration over its attempts to cut funding for energy and infrastructure programs, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office. Filed in the Northern District Court of California, Raoul and 12 other attorneys general argue in the suit that a May 2025 memorandum from the Department of Energy created a “review” process under the guise of gutting energy programs created by Congress in 2021 and 2022, which they then cut funding from. They say the action violates the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. In Illinois, six grant awards to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois-Chicago that are collectively worth over $20 million…
Freeport, Ill. | February 16 2026 | United Way is now accepting 2026–27 grant applications | The United Way of Northwest Illinois is now accepting applications for its next round of grants. Applications for the 2026–27 funding cycle opened Feb. 10, according to a community announcement. The full request for proposals and application can be found at uwni.org. Funding is set to begin in July.
Springfield, Ill. | February 12 2026 | DuSable Black History Museum gets $1.6 million from Illinois for building improvements | The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center will receive a $1.6 million state grant for renovations. The first installment was presented earlier this month in a check by Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. The funds will go to updating bathrooms, the museum’s Harold Washington wing, and the theater, CEO Perri Irmer said at a media event. The improvements made to the wing and theater will allow the museum to increase revenue via facility rentals, she said. The state funds and renovation plans come as Black History Month is underway, and the museum extends its February hours of operation to seven days a week.
Springfield, Ill. | February 11 2026 | Illinois AG sues to prevent Trump admin. from cutting $600M in public health funds from 4 states | Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing to block the Trump administration from cutting public health funding in Illinois and three other Democratic-led states. The Trump administration plans to rescind $600 million in public health funds from the states, it was announced earlier this week. The state of Illinois has not been shy about suing the administration to try and prevent these types of funding cuts from actually taking effect.
Washington, D.C. | February 10 2026 | Trump administration cutting millions in Illinois HIV prevention grants, citing ‘agency priorities’ | The Trump administration is planning to slash $600 million in public health grants for Illinois and three other Democrat-led states, including $5.2 million in cuts for an HIV prevention program at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. In total, at least $29 million in Illinois grants are on the chopping block, including city, state and other health centers’ HIV prevention programs, according to a list of grants obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. The list represents a first wave of cuts, which is anticipated to total around $600 million, and it specifically targets family planning and HIV prevention programs. The New York Times on Monday reported the pending cuts to programs in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota. They also included $7.2 million in grant cuts to the American Medical Association in Illinois, which supports gender-affirming care.
Washington, D.C. | February 6 2026 | EPA Selects OAI to Receive $500,000 in Brownfields Job Training Grants to Boost Chicago’s Economy and Clean Up Communities | Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the selection of OAI, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois, to receive $500,000 in Brownfields Job Training Grant funding. This funding will help OAI recruit, train, and place workers for community revitalization and cleanup projects at Brownfield sites. EPA’s Brownfields Program helps grow local economies and supports efforts to assess and clean up contaminated sites and return blighted properties to productive use.
Chicago, Ill. | February 11 2026 | More than $1.76 million awarded to Chicago arts organizations by Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation | The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (GDDF) is pleased to announce it awarded more than $1.76 million in grants to 66 of Chicago’s small arts organizations and arts advocacy organizations in 2025. Twenty-seven Chicago area arts organizations received multiyear grants of $30,000 or more. Additionally, GDDF granted $725,000 to the Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development last year, joining together with other funders to provide emergency funding and other support in response to recent challenges faced by arts organizations.
Springfield, Ill. | February 4 2026 | Governor Pritzker Awards $2.4 Million to 34 Companies Through Innovation Voucher Program, Announces Round III | Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced 34 awards totaling $2.4 million through the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program to promote small business growth and strengthen research collaborations across Illinois. Additionally, the Governor announced $2.6 million available in grant funding for the third round of the Innovation Voucher Program. Grantees will be selected through a competitive application process…Illinois has continued to expand its standing as a national innovation hub by connecting small businesses with the state’s world-class universities and research institutions. Through competitive awards of up to $75,000, the program enables companies to pursue research and development (R&D) projects in partnership with a qualified Illinois institute of higher education that support technology validation, accelerate product development, and strengthen commercialization pathways.
Post will be updated until the end of the month | Current update: February 25, 2026.
Information is provided as a courtesy | See the original notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for application eligibility and requirements.