ETIP - Strategic Sectors Single Company Grant
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Details: 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.
Strategic Workforce Training Support
Application Deadline: March 30, 2026
Grant Description: The Workforce Training Support program will assist community employers in the training and retaining of our skilled workforce. It is without question a challenge for almost every manufacturer to obtain the necessary assistance to include financial support to provide the required training for their workforce. Structured educational programs designed to equip employees working in a manufacturing setting with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and safely, including technical abilities, equipment operation, efficient process understanding, and adherence to safety protocols allows them to contribute productively on the production floor. In short, workforce training programs help Illinois manufacturers provide their workers with the skills necessary to be safe and productive, as well as grow our Illinois based businesses. This Illinois manufacturing program will supplement the Employer Training Investment Program in place.
Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Grant Description: The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development across the state. Input from community leaders and economic development experts has raised the need for flexible funding to support construction and infrastructure improvements to prepare sites for future development. This is the second round of the Regional Site Readiness Program and includes some minor changes from last year’s program.
Manufacturing Training Academies
Application Deadline: April 30, 2026
Grant Description: Capital grants provided through this opportunity will support the creation of Manufacturing Training Academies located at community colleges in the state. Manufacturing Training Academies provide education and training enabling students to get hired and to advance in occupations associated with priority sectors identified in the most recent Illinois Economic Plan. In order to maximize the effectiveness of this investment, the applicant must demonstrate that workforce training will be aligned with the needs of with regional industry leaders.
SBIR/STTR Match Program
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026
Program Details: 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 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
Program Details: 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.
Small Business Development Centers
Application Deadline: Rolling
Grant Description: 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.
Regional Site Readiness Program – Planning – Round 2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Details: The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development across the state. Input from community leaders and economic development experts has raised the need for flexible funding to support construction and infrastructure improvements to prepare sites for future development. This is the second round of the Regional Site Readiness Program and includes some minor changes from last year’s program.
Federal Grant Support Program - Round 2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Details: 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.
