Best Grants for Science Research in Illinois

Illinois science research institutions in need of quantum research offices and labs can access funding through the Illinois Capital Development Board, with awards up to US $136,900,000. This five-year capital grant supports building or upgrading quantum and microelectronics facilities in Illinois, with strict compliance, monitoring, and operational requirements by the end of the grant term.

Illinois high school seniors planning full-time chemistry or chemical engineering studies at a U.S. college can receive scholarship support through the Robert C. and Maureen A. Granger Scholarship Endowment Fund. Focused on chemistry, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley invites graduates of East Aurora or West Aurora High School to apply.

Doctoral candidates at Big Ten Academic Alliance universities conducting Smithsonian-based science or humanities research, including earth sciences and biology, can receive up to US $50,000 in stipend and research allowance. The Smithsonian Institution offers 3–12 month fellowships that may benefit Illinois-based scholars pursuing advanced scientific research projects at Smithsonian facilities.

Nonprofit U.S. colleges, universities, and higher education partners working to expand STEM pathways, including in Illinois, can apply for Alfred P. Sloan Foundation implementation grants of up to US $500,000. Funding supports multi-institution collaborations that remove systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral degrees, especially for students from low-income, first-generation, and other underserved backgrounds.

Illinois science research students pursuing PhDs who need facilities or expertise abroad can access travel funding for short research stays through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. Grants support U.S. or Israeli citizens conducting supervised research in eligible scientific fields at higher education or nonprofit research institutions in the U.S. or Israel.

Illinois early-career researchers in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, or earth science can access funding for collaborative basic research projects through the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. Eligible junior principal investigators (within 10 years of Ph.D. or M.D.) partner with U.S. and Israeli colleagues for two-year projects, with each PI eligible for up to US $90,000.

Undergraduate natural science students of Polish descent in the U.S. can receive US $5,000 for full-time study through this scholarship, which may benefit Illinois-based students doing science research. Grants from Kosciuszko Foundation help eligible college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors majoring in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, or earth science with tuition support.

Illinois colleges, universities, and higher education-serving nonprofits can seek funding to pilot partnerships that reduce systemic barriers to STEM master’s and doctoral education. Focused on STEM education and diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Alfred P Sloan Foundation supports 1–2 year collaborative seed projects nationwide, awarding up to US $250,000 for multi-institution initiatives.

Illinois higher education institutions and organizations serving colleges can access funding through the Alfred P Sloan Foundation to plan partnerships that improve STEM pathways from undergraduate to graduate study. Grants up to US $75,000 support one-year planning efforts to assess barriers, design collaborations, and strengthen access-focused STEM programs, including in chemistry, physics, biology, and earth science.

Universities and research institutions conducting undergraduate science research in Illinois can access funding through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program to support active student participation in NSF-funded projects. Grants from National Science Foundation help Illinois science research programs create REU Sites or add REU Supplements, engaging undergraduates in chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, engineering, and related STEM fields.

Graduate students conducting science research on drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health in Illinois can apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship, which awards US $3,000 for impactful water-industry research. Focused on water-related environmental challenges, American Water Works Association seeks projects with actionable, timely outcomes that address current industry needs.

Illinois STEM faculty at EPSCoR-eligible institutions can access funding through the National Science Foundation to build research capacity and advance their careers through collaborative visits to leading research centers. Projects in areas like chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, engineering, and related fields may be supported, including participation of one qualified trainee from an EPSCoR jurisdiction.

Early-career academic researchers in the physical, mathematical, computational sciences or engineering doing postdoctoral work in the biological sciences can receive US $560,000 over five years to support their transition to faculty roles, including in Illinois. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface are made to degree-granting institutions on behalf of individual investigators in the U.S. and Canada.

Illinois science and engineering graduate students using high-performance computing for research can access funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Computational Science Graduate Fellowship. This national fellowship supports Ph.D. study in fields like chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering at accredited U.S. universities, offering substantial stipend support, tuition coverage, and a practicum at DOE national laboratories.

Graduate students in Earth system sciences at universities in Illinois, or elsewhere in North America, can receive US $40,000 plus travel and professional development through the UCAR Next Generation Fellowship. University Corporation for Atmospheric Research provides Illinois science researchers with funding, mentorship, and cohort-based training to explore intersections of atmospheric and Earth system science with society.

Cherokee Nation Foundation

The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of more than 470,000 citizens. Its mission is to provide educational opportunities to Cherokee students so they can reach their full potential. The Cherokee Nation Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Scholarships

Cherokee Nation Foundation offers a diverse range of scholarships to help reverse the trend of rising student debt. Students may receive up to two CNF scholarships per academic year. All opportunities are reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens, unless otherwise noted in the description.

Senior Master Sergeant Texie C. Taylor, USAF Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student majoring in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, nursing (RN), engineering (aerospace, civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical) or mathematics with a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-year scholarship reserved for Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area.

Universities, research institutions, and other eligible science organizations in Illinois can seek funding for advanced computing, energy, physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental research through the Department of Energy Office of Science. Focused on fundamental and applied science, DOE invites proposals under its open FY 2026 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program, offering US $50,000 - US $5,000,000 for projects within its Congressionally authorized mission across the U.S.

Early-career scientists studying matter at extreme high pressure conditions can receive US $5,000 from the American Physical Society, plus travel support to present at an APS meeting. Focused on high-pressure research in physics, chemistry, materials science, and related fields, this national award may benefit Illinois-based science researchers.

Graduating seniors from Washington Community or North Daviess High Schools planning to study physical sciences can receive US $4,170 for post-secondary education. With a mission to support education, Daviess County Community Foundation provides renewable scholarships for students majoring in fields like chemistry, physics, astronomy, earth science, meteorology, or mineralogy who rank in the upper third of their class.

Graduating high school seniors from the Greater Newark area planning undergraduate studies in mathematics, physics, biology, botany, or chemistry can receive scholarship support for U.S. colleges. Grants from Community Foundation of New Jersey help students with strong merit and unmet financial need, which may benefit Illinois institutions enrolling these science majors.