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 FundingExecutive Summary
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.
| 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.
Funding Type
Topic
Deadline
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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
Free Resource
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
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.
