AI Literacy and Computer Science Education Funding in Illinois
Curriculum requirements, funding sources, and how Forward Education helps schools meet state standards affordably.
Explore FundingIllinois is a national CS education leader — one of the first states to require all high schools to offer CS courses. SB 1920 (effective Jan 2026) directs ISBE to develop statewide K-12 AI guidance by July 2026. Chicago Public Schools serves 350,000+ students with a structured GenAI integration plan for 2025-26.
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| AI in Curriculum Standards | See standards alignment section below |
| AI-Specific Legislation | Check state DOE for current status |
| CS Graduation Requirement | Varies by district |
| AI Teacher Endorsement | See state DOE certification frameworks |
| AI Task Force | Check state DOE for current status |
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Top Funding Opportunities
The grants and programs below are relevant to this state. Click any card to read full details, eligibility, and how Forward Education products qualify.
NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education and Training
Illinois · Federal Grant NOAA B-WET: Bay Watershed Education and Training Funding $50K–$200K Grade Focus K-12,...
Read full detailsGlenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Grants
Illinois · Private-National Glenn W. Bailey Foundation STEM Grants Funding Varies Grade Focus K-12 A...
Read full detailsBest Buy Foundation Teen Tech Centers & STEM Grants
Illinois · Private-National Best Buy Foundation Teen Tech Centers & STEM Grants Funding Teen Tech: up to $1M; STEM grant...
Read full detailsRural Tech Fund
Illinois · Private-National Rural Tech Fund Funding $2K–$10K Grade Focus K-12 Rural Application Due ...
Read full detailsMotorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation (National)
Illinois · Private-National Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation (National) Funding $25K–$100K Grad...
Read full details3M Foundation STEM Education Grants
Illinois · Private-National 3M Foundation STEM Education Grants Funding $10K–$100K Grade Focus K-12 ...
Read full detailsAmerican Honda Foundation STEM Grants
Illinois · Private-National American Honda Foundation STEM Grants Funding $20K–$75K Grade Focus K-12, Higher E...
Read full detailsToshiba America Foundation STEM Grants
Illinois · Private-National Toshiba America Foundation STEM Grants Funding Up to $5K (K-6); up to $10K (6-12) Grad...
Read full detailsDonorsChoose: Classroom Technology & STEM
Illinois · Private-National (Crowdfunding) DonorsChoose Classroom Technology & STEM Funding $200–$2,000/project (unlimit...
Read full detailsVerizon Innovative Learning Schools
Illinois · Private-National Verizon Innovative Learning Schools Funding Free devices + curriculum (~$1M+ value/school) ...
Read full detailsSamsung Solve for Tomorrow
Illinois · Private-National Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Funding State: $20K tech; National: up to $100K Grade Focus...
Read full details21st Century Community Learning Centers (Illinois)
Illinois · State (Federal Pass-Through) 21st Century Community Learning Centers Funding $100K–$400K/site/year Grad...
Read full detailsEPA Environmental Education Grants
Illinois · Federal Grant EPA Environmental Education Grants Funding $50K–$100K Grade Focus K-12, Nonprofits ...
Read full detailsNSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers
Illinois · Federal Grant NSF ITEST: Innovative Technology Experiences Funding $500K–$1.5M Grade Focus K-12 ...
Read full detailsNSF CS for All: Research and RPPs
Illinois · Federal Grant NSF CS for All: Research and RPPs Funding $300K–$3M Grade Focus K-12 Applic...
Read full detailsField Museum Science Education Grants
Illinois · Private-State Field Museum Science Education Grants Funding Varies Grade Focus K-12 Appli...
Read full detailsIllinois Environmental Education Grants (IEPA)
Illinois · State Grant Illinois Environmental Education Grants Funding $5K–$50K Grade Focus K-12, Nonprofits ...
Read full detailsPolk Bros. Foundation Education Grants
Illinois · Private-State Polk Bros. Foundation Education Grants Funding $25K–$200K Grade Focus K-12, Nonprofit...
Read full detailsIllinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants
Illinois · Private-State Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation Grants Funding $10K–$100K Grade Focus K-12...
Read full detailsCaterpillar Foundation STEM Grants
Illinois · Private-State (Peoria HQ) Caterpillar Foundation STEM Grants Funding $10K–$250K Grade Focus K-12 ...
Read full detailsChicago Community Trust Education Grants
Illinois · Private-State Chicago Community Trust Education Grants Funding $25K–$250K Grade Focus K-12, Nonprof...
Read full detailsBoeing STEM Education Grants (Illinois)
Illinois · Private-State (Chicago HQ) Boeing STEM Education Grants Funding $25K–$1M+ Grade Focus K-12 ...
Read full detailsMotorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation (Illinois Focus)
Illinois · Private-State (Chicago HQ) Motorola Solutions Foundation Innovation Generation Funding $25K–$100K Grade...
Read full detailsAmeren Illinois STEM and Energy Education Grants
Illinois · Private-State (Utility) Ameren Illinois STEM and Energy Education Grants Funding $5K–$25K Grade Focus ...
Read full detailsComEd/Exelon STEM Education Grants
Illinois · Private-State (Utility) ComEd/Exelon STEM Education Grants Funding $5K–$50K Grade Focus K-12 ...
Read full detailsISBE Computer Science Education Grants
Illinois · State Grant ISBE Computer Science Education Grants Funding Varies Grade Focus K-12 Applic...
Read full detailsNeed 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
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Whether you are exploring curriculum options, looking for funding, or ready to get started — our team is here to help.
