IAITC Teacher Grants (Project and Book Grants)
Eligibility
Illinois K-12 teachers in public or private schools may apply. Project Grants fund classroom projects that integrate agriculture into instruction. Book Grants fund agricultural books for classroom libraries. Teachers must show how the project or resource connects to Illinois agriculture and student learning.
Program Goals
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC), supported by the IAA Foundation, provides competitive teacher grants for classroom projects and book purchases that integrate agriculture, food systems, and natural resources into K-12 instruction. The program helps Illinois teachers build agricultural literacy for students across all subject areas and grade levels.
Read the GrantApplication and Distribution
Applications are submitted online through the IAITC website in late summer, with the exact deadline announced each year. Submit a project description, agricultural connection, student learning objectives, and budget. Book Grants require a list of requested titles and a connection to agricultural education.
Cycle Notes
IAITC Teacher Grants open in late summer each year for the upcoming school year. Visit iaitc.org for the current application cycle and deadline dates.
Grant Award Amount
Project Grants award up to $500 per project for classroom materials, supplies, and resources tied to the approved agricultural education project. Book Grants award funds for purchasing approved agricultural books.
Allowable Purchases
Forward Education Products for This Grant
These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.
- Smart Hydroponics Kit — indoor growing and plant science for IAITC agricultural education grants
- CHARGE Climate Sensor Kit — environmental monitoring aligned to Illinois agriculture and soil science
- micro:bit Starter Kit — data collection for student plant science and agricultural investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for IAITC Teacher Grants in Illinois?
Illinois K-12 teachers in public or private schools may apply. Projects must connect to Illinois agriculture and support student learning across any subject area.
How much funding is available through IAITC Teacher Grants?
Project Grants award up to $500 per project. Book Grants cover approved agricultural books.
Can IAITC Teacher Grant funds be used for STEM and coding tools?
Yes. IAITC Teacher Grant funds can support hands-on STEM materials, physical computing kits, and coding curriculum when they align to the program's stated goals. Document alignment to program objectives before purchasing.
How do Illinois teachers apply for IAITC Teacher Grants?
Apply online at iaitc.org in late summer. Submit a project description, agricultural connection, student objectives, and budget. Visit the website for current deadlines.
How can Forward Education help with IAITC grant funding?
Forward Education provides curriculum alignment documents, official pricing letters for grant budgets, and letters of support for Illinois schools. Our STEM kits are purpose-built to meet the learning outcomes IAITC grants fund. Contact us before submitting your application.
Need Help Writing Your Grant Application?
Forward Education works with schools and districts to build strong funding proposals. We can help you connect our tools to your grant requirements.
- Curriculum alignment documents — Illinois standards mapped to our kits
- Program quotes and pricing — classroom sets, bundles, and multi-site pricing
- Letters of support — documentation for grant applications
- Project ideas and scope-and-sequence — ready-to-use program outlines
Explore more Illinois funding resources
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