Educational Funding and Curriculum Resources

AI Literacy and Computer Science Education Funding in Illinois

Curriculum requirements, funding sources, and how Forward Education helps schools meet state standards affordably.

Explore Funding

Illinois K-12 schools benefit from the CS4IL state initiative and ISBE's dedicated CS competitive grants, which specifically fund districts building new computer science programs. Major private funders include ComEd/Exelon, Ameren Illinois, Boeing, Caterpillar Foundation, and the Chicago Community Trust. Federal formula funds (Title I, II-A, IV-A, Perkins V, IDEA) flow through ISBE to all 850+ districts. With 2M+ students across Chicago, suburban corridors, and rural downstate districts, Illinois educators have access to both large city-focused and rural-eligible funding sources.

CategoryStatus
AI in Curriculum StandardsSee standards alignment section below
AI-Specific LegislationCheck state DOE for current status
CS Graduation RequirementVaries by district
AI Teacher EndorsementSee state DOE certification frameworks
AI Task ForceCheck state DOE for current status
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Standards Alignment

See how Forward Education kits map to your state CS, AI literacy, and STEM standards — including CSTA, ISTE, NGSS, and state-specific CS frameworks.

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Les meilleures opportunités de financement

Les subventions et programmes ci-dessous sont pertinents pour cet État. Cliquez sur n'importe quelle carte pour lire tous les détails, les critères d'éligibilité et comment les produits Forward Education sont éligibles.

Funding Type
Topic
Deadline
Search
competitive grant

ISBE Computer Science Education Grants

private state

ComEd/Exelon STEM Education Grants

private state

Ameren Illinois STEM and Energy Education Grants

private state

Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation (Illinois Focus)

private state

Boeing STEM Education Grants (Illinois)

private state

Chicago Community Trust Education Grants

private state

Caterpillar Foundation STEM Grants

private state

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants

private state

Polk Bros. Foundation Education Grants

competitive grant

Illinois Environmental Education Grants (IEPA)

private state

Field Museum Science Education Grants

competitive grant

NSF CS for All: Research and RPPs

competitive grant

NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers

competitive grant

EPA Environmental Education Grants

competitive grant

21st Century Community Learning Centers (Illinois)

private national

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

private national

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

private national

DonorsChoose: Classroom Technology & STEM

private national

Toshiba America Foundation STEM Grants

private national

American Honda Foundation STEM Grants

private national

3M Foundation STEM Education Grants

private national

Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation (National)

private national

Rural Tech Fund

private national

Best Buy Foundation Teen Tech Centers & STEM Grants

private national

Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Grants

competitive grant

NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education and Training

competitive grant

Toshiba America Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Honda USA Foundation Pillar Awards

competitive grant

Motorola Solutions Foundation Grants

competitive grant

Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants

competitive grant

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants

NSF STEM K-12 (NSF 25-545)

competitive grant

NOAA B-WET (Bay Watershed Education & Training)

competitive grant

FIRST Team Grant Opportunities

formula funding

Title I, Part A - Improving Basic Programs

formula funding

Title II, Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction

formula funding

Title IV-A - Student Support & Academic Enrichment

formula funding

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

formula funding

Perkins V - Career & Technical Education

competitive grant

Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant

competitive grant

Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant

competitive grant

21st Century Community Learning Centers – Illinois

competitive grant

Computer Science Equity Grant Program

federal

Perkins V CTE Funding via Education for Employment Systems (Illinois)

competitive grant

School District Library Grant Program (Illinois)

competitive grant

IAITC Teacher Grants – Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

competitive grant

IRTA Foundation Excellence in Education Grants

competitive grant

Water and Environment Grant Program – Illinois American Water

competitive grant

IDEA Illinois Mini-Grants

competitive grant

DuPage Foundation Community Impact Grants – Youth Education Cycle

competitive grant

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (Discontinued)

competitive grant

ISBE: Computer Science Education Grants

competitive grant

ComEd/Exelon: STEM Education Grants

competitive grant

Ameren Illinois: STEM and Energy Education

competitive grant

Motorola Solutions Foundation: Innovation Generation

competitive grant

Boeing: STEM Education (IL)

competitive grant

Chicago Community Trust: Education Grants

competitive grant

Caterpillar Foundation: STEM Grants

competitive grant

Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation

competitive grant

Polk Bros. Foundation: Education Grants

competitive grant

Illinois Environmental Education Grants (IEPA)

competitive grant

Field Museum: Science Education Grants

competitive grant

NSF CS for All: Research and RPPs

competitive grant

NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers

competitive grant

EPA Environmental Education Grants

competitive grant

21st Century Community Learning Centers

competitive grant

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

competitive grant

Verizon Innovative Learning Schools

competitive grant

DonorsChoose: Classroom Technology & STEM

competitive grant

Toshiba America Foundation (TAF)

competitive grant

American Honda Foundation

competitive grant

3M Foundation: STEM Education Grants

competitive grant

Rural Tech Fund

competitive grant

Best Buy Foundation: Teen Tech Centers & STEM Grants

competitive grant

Glenn W. Bailey Foundation

competitive grant

NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education and Training

federal

Title I Part A - Improving Basic Programs

federal

Title II Part A - Supporting Effective Instruction

federal

Title IV-A Student Support and Academic Enrichment

federal

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

federal

Perkins V Career and Technical Education

Need Help Writing Your Grant?

Securing funding for AI and CS education does not have to be overwhelming. Our team has helped hundreds of schools across the country successfully apply for technology grants.

  • Free Grant Application Guide — Step-by-step walkthrough for the most common federal and state funding programs
  • Grant Writing Assistance — Our team can review your application draft and provide feedback
  • Budget Templates — Pre-built budget justifications showing how Forward Education products fit within grant requirements
  • Compliance Documentation — Evidence of standards alignment and student outcomes to strengthen your proposal
Download Grant Guide

Professional Development for AI and CS Education

Implementing AI literacy and computer science does not have to mean starting from scratch. Forward Education provides comprehensive professional development to help educators build confidence and competence.

🎓

MicroChat Foundations Workshop

VirtualSelf-Paced3 hours

Hands-on introduction to MicroChat and the micro:bit ecosystem. Teachers learn to run the core AI literacy lessons, facilitate student coding activities, and connect content to their state standards.

Learn More
🏫

On-Site AI Literacy Integration Training

In-PersonCustomizable1-2 days

Full-day on-site training for district or school teams. Includes hands-on kit setup, lesson planning, standards crosswalk, and assessment strategy. Ideal for district-wide rollouts.

Request On-Site Training
📅

Ongoing Coaching and Community

VirtualOngoingYear-round

Monthly live PD sessions, a teacher community for lesson sharing, and direct support from our curriculum team. Keeps your program fresh and teachers supported all year long.

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Ready to Bring AI Literacy to Illinois Classrooms?

Whether you are exploring curriculum options, looking for funding, or ready to get started — our team is here to help.