Illinois Funding & Opportunities
For information about funding programs that are available nationwide, please browse by type, by topic, or by sponsor.
Thematic Working Groups in the North Central Region
Funding for multistate, regional working groups focusing on creating resilient communities and economies, developing leadership and civic engagement, and promoting community health and wellness that integrates research and Extension programs.
Funding for multistate, regional working groups focusing on creating resilient communities and economies, developing leadership and civic engagement, and promoting community health and wellness that integrates research and Extension programs.
Geographic coverage: The 12 states in the north central region.
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Illinois Rural Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program
Inactive
Scholarships for registered nurses seeking to become a nurse practitioner in a rural area in Illinois.
Scholarships for registered nurses seeking to become a nurse practitioner in a rural area in Illinois.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Medical Society
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois State Medical Society
Illinois J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Inactive
Offers a J-1 Visa waiver to foreign physicians who commit to serving for 3 years in an underserved area of Illinois, allowing them to remain in the United States.
Offers a J-1 Visa waiver to foreign physicians who commit to serving for 3 years in an underserved area of Illinois, allowing them to remain in the United States.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Center for Rural Health
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2026
Sponsor: Illinois Center for Rural Health
Union Pacific Foundation Community Ties Giving Program: Local Grants
Inactive
Grants to nonprofit organizations to support direct services and capacity building efforts aimed at improving the quality of life in communities served by Union Pacific in the areas of safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. Special emphasis is given to programs and organizations that serve populations in local communities. Rural communities have been awarded funding in the past.
Grants to nonprofit organizations to support direct services and capacity building efforts aimed at improving the quality of life in communities served by Union Pacific in the areas of safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. Special emphasis is given to programs and organizations that serve populations in local communities. Rural communities have been awarded funding in the past.
Geographic coverage: Communities in 23 states served by Union Pacific
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2026
Sponsor: Union Pacific Foundation
Application Deadline: Apr 30, 2026
Sponsor: Union Pacific Foundation
Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health Community-Track Pilot Project Grants
Inactive
Grants for community-based projects working to prevent agricultural injury and illness through training and educational campaigns. Priority will be given to projects addressing the conditions of work related to stress and mental health, equipment/tool safety, falls prevention, and chemical safety.
Grants for community-based projects working to prevent agricultural injury and illness through training and educational campaigns. Priority will be given to projects addressing the conditions of work related to stress and mental health, equipment/tool safety, falls prevention, and chemical safety.
Geographic coverage: Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin
Letter of Intent (Required): Apr 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Jun 8, 2026
Sponsor: Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health
Letter of Intent (Required): Apr 1, 2026
Application Deadline: Jun 8, 2026
Sponsor: Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health
Small Grants for Rural Development Research and/or Extension Projects in the North Central Region
Inactive
Seed grants designed for enhancing the ability of land grant institutions to positively influence the quality of life in rural areas in the North Central Region. One of the program priorities is promoting community health and wellness.
Seed grants designed for enhancing the ability of land grant institutions to positively influence the quality of life in rural areas in the North Central Region. One of the program priorities is promoting community health and wellness.
Geographic coverage: The 12 states in the north central region.
Application Deadline: Mar 16, 2026
Sponsor: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Application Deadline: Mar 16, 2026
Sponsor: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
Lumpkin Family Foundation Land, Health, Community Grants
Inactive
Grants to organizations in Eastern Central Illinois to support healthy communities by increasing access to healthy food, growing local agriculture economies, supporting mental health and well-being, promoting green farming practices, and encouraging rural development through community engagement and collaboration. Preference is given to rural organizations.
Grants to organizations in Eastern Central Illinois to support healthy communities by increasing access to healthy food, growing local agriculture economies, supporting mental health and well-being, promoting green farming practices, and encouraging rural development through community engagement and collaboration. Preference is given to rural organizations.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Letter of Intent (Required): Mar 6, 2026
Application Deadline: Mar 13, 2026
Sponsor: The Lumpkin Family Foundation
Letter of Intent (Required): Mar 6, 2026
Application Deadline: Mar 13, 2026
Sponsor: The Lumpkin Family Foundation
Rural Interprofessional Health Professions Summer Preceptorships
Inactive
A paid 6-week educational experience for healthcare professions students who want to learn more about healthcare provision in rural settings. Preceptor locations are in Illinois.
A paid 6-week educational experience for healthcare professions students who want to learn more about healthcare provision in rural settings. Preceptor locations are in Illinois.
Geographic coverage: Illinois
Application Deadline: Mar 1, 2026
Sponsors: Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program, National Center for Rural Health Professions
Application Deadline: Mar 1, 2026
Sponsors: Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program, National Center for Rural Health Professions
American Heart Association Midwest Rural Communities Grant
Inactive
Grants for rural organizations working outside of healthcare but interested in supporting community health in the Midwest Region.
Grants for rural organizations working outside of healthcare but interested in supporting community health in the Midwest Region.
Geographic coverage: The American Heart Association Midwest Region
Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Outpace CVD Rural Midwest Healthcare Grant
Inactive
Grants for outpatient care sites in the rural Midwest that are working to manage chronic disease and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Grants for outpatient care sites in the rural Midwest that are working to manage chronic disease and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Geographic coverage: The American Heart Association Midwest Region
Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
Sponsor: American Heart Association