Best Professional Development Grants for Teachers in Illinois

Illinois community colleges working on dual credit access and student persistence can access funding through the Illinois Community College Board to enhance, expand, and support dual credit programs. This grant supports projects that improve equitable access to dual credit and provide holistic support for student success, which may include professional development for teachers involved in dual credit instruction.

Nonprofit organizations working on education policy and economic mobility in Illinois and the broader Great Lakes region can seek support for research, policy development, advocacy, and implementation efforts. The Joyce Foundation focuses on effective educators, college and career readiness, and post-secondary success, with an emphasis on racial equity and improved outcomes for historically underserved young people.

Illinois nonprofits and educational institutions offering contemporary craft or visual arts programs, equipment, scholarships, or artist residencies can access funding through Windgate Charitable Trust. Visual art-integrated professional development for K–12 teachers and school leaders may be eligible. Only organizations funded by Windgate in the past five years can currently apply.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for U.S. students pursuing degrees in Special Education. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to continue their studies into the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship supports students with various disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible and equitable for all.

K–12 teachers and music educators in the U.S., including those based in Illinois, can receive $500 to cover travel and attendance at the Teaching Music History Conference. Grants from American Musicological Society help educators pursue professional development in American music pedagogy, including participation in cohort networking and featured conference sessions.

Classroom teachers in grades 4–12 and educators in detention facilities across the U.S., including Illinois, can receive US $500 in paid virtual professional development focused on global health reporting. With a mission to support innovative journalism, Pulitzer Center provides Teacher Fellows with workshops, a digital badge, and 30 professional learning units for designing civic-engagement-focused lessons.

SHAPE America members in Illinois and nationwide who are experienced health and physical education faculty, coaches, or administrators can be nominated for this Hall of Fame recognition, honoring distinguished careers in teaching and leadership. This award celebrates major contributions to school-based physical and health education, physical activity, sport, and dance, supporting high-level professional recognition for teacher development.

Secondary school theatre educators in Illinois can use this grant for professional development, including conferences, workshops, travel, software, and instructional equipment. With a mission to connect performing arts design and technology communities, United Institute for Theatre Technology provides up to US $500 to support theatre-focused teacher development and training activities completed within one year.

Illinois geoscience educators seeking recognition for long-term professional service may be eligible for the Robert Christman Distinguished Service Award, which honors distinguished contributions to the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Any active NAGT member can nominate a colleague by submitting a letter detailing their service at the national and/or section level.

Illinois organizations, groups, and individual educators offering geoscience-focused professional development can seek sponsorship for programs or single events that support teacher training. National Association of Geoscience Teachers provides sponsorships for activities aligned with its mission and ethics, which may benefit Illinois teacher development and training initiatives in Earth science education.

K–16 geoscience educators engaged with the Journal of Geoscience Education can receive US $500 in recognition of outstanding peer-review service, including high-quality, timely, and frequent reviews. Grants from the National Association of Geoscience Teachers help Illinois teacher development and training professionals, and other U.S. geoscience educators, be honored for their contributions to Earth science education.

With a mission to support teacher development, National Association of Geoscience Teachers provides Illinois educators and geoscience education professionals with a US $500 JGE Outstanding Paper Award recognizing exceptional scholarship in geoscience education. Papers must demonstrate innovative enhancement of student learning, advancement of geoscience education, or broad societal impact, and can be nominated by JGE readers, authors, or Editorial Board members.

Illinois geoscience educators focused on teacher development and training can access recognition and support through the Neil Miner Award, honoring exceptional efforts to stimulate interest in Earth sciences. Nominations to the National Association of Geoscience Teachers must come from NAGT members and include a nomination letter, up to four support letters, and the nominee’s CV.

Focused on geoscience education, the National Association of Geoscience Teachers invites instructors to nominate outstanding undergraduate or graduate teaching assistants for national recognition. Awardees receive a one-year NAGT membership with access to geoscience education publications. Illinois teacher development and training programs with geoscience TAs may benefit from submitting nominations.

Illinois K-12 teachers and educators who teach significant earth science content can receive recognition and support for outstanding teaching through the Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award. Grants from National Association of Geoscience Teachers help professional development and teacher training in Earth Science, with regional and sometimes state-level honorees selected across the U.S.

Illinois teacher development and training professionals focused on geoscience justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion can access recognition and support through the Excellence in JEDI Award. This annual National Association of Geoscience Teachers honor celebrates individuals advancing inclusive Earth science education, offering a complimentary NAGT membership and opportunities to share their JEDI-focused work with peers.

The James H. Shea Award, presented annually by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT), recognizes outstanding contributions in writing and editing Earth science materials aimed at the public and educators. Established in 1991, this prestigious award honors the legacy of James H. Shea, a dedicated advocate for quality geoscience education. Nominations require a detailed letter outlining the nominee's exceptional contributions, reinforcing NAGT's commitment to fostering excellence in Earth science education.

The Algebra 1 Advantage program, funded by the Ardagh Group through Project Lead The Way, aims to enhance educational opportunities for over 500,000 PreK-12 students in the U.S. by 2032. Schools eligible for this grant must offer the program in the 2026-2027 academic year, ensuring students gain essential skills for future success. This initiative focuses on real-world learning and teacher training, addressing educational inequities in local communities.

The Lowell Teachers Scholarships, offered by Harvard University, allow middle and high school teachers to enroll in one Extension School course per term at half the tuition cost. This initiative promotes professional development by making Harvard's rigorous academic programs accessible to educators. Limited scholarships are available, encouraging early application. Note that these scholarships cannot be used for summer courses or combined with other financial aid, ensuring focused support for teachers dedicated to enhancing their skills.

The MSU Graduate Teaching Scholarships recognize the vital role graduate students play in undergraduate education by providing financial support for their teaching efforts. Eligible candidates must have a graduate teaching assistantship, complete professional development, and apply before the semester starts. Scholarships range from $250 to $1000, promoting excellence in teaching and enriching the educational experience at Montana State University.

The NewSchools Learning Differences Grant Program aims to enhance educational opportunities for students who learn differently, particularly those affected by poverty and racism. The program invests in innovative solutions and models that support personalized education for these students, ensuring they have access to quality instruction and belonging within school communities. With a focus on equity, it seeks ideas that align with its core investment areas and addresses the needs of marginalized learners.

The Marion L. Bates Endowment Fund for Faculty Enrichment supports educators in Rockford Public School District #205 to enhance their professional growth. Established in memory of devoted teacher Marion L. Bates, the fund provides grants for enriching activities that foster intellectual development. Eligible applicants must have at least three years of service in the district, and funding can be used for diverse educational pursuits, excluding routine teaching expenses or equipment.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

The PLTW Launch program offers grants to public schools for implementing Project Lead The Way modules. Grantees must provide at least one module in the 2025-2026 academic year, with an additional module in subsequent years. The total grant is $10,000, with $7,500 allocated for the first year and $2,500 for the second. Annual reporting and surveys are required to ensure program effectiveness and continuous improvement.

The PLTW Gateway grant supports public schools in offering innovative STEM education. Grantees must provide at least one PLTW Gateway unit during the 2026-2027 academic year, with an additional unit each subsequent year. The total grant award is $20,000, distributed in two installments. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in student and teacher surveys to ensure ongoing program improvement. Eligible districts span several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Texas.

The PLTW Engineering grant supports public schools in implementing at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2025-2026 academic year, with a total funding of $30,000 over two years. Eligible districts include those in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in collecting surveys to enhance program effectiveness and share results with stakeholders.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion grant, funded by Project Lead The Way Inc, offers $10,000 to public schools in specific districts across several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Virginia. This grant aims to enhance existing PLTW Engineering courses or add new ones, alongside teacher training for the 2025-2026 academic year. Grantees are required to submit annual reports and assist in collecting surveys to aid in program improvement and stakeholder engagement.