Innovation Vouchers Program
🏛 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Oct 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois-based companies with fewer than 500 employees seeking to fund research partnerships with Illinois higher education institutions. Eligible industries include agribusiness, agtech, energy, information technology, life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation/logistics. The grant funds administrative costs and vouchers for research projects. Activities supported include technology development, knowledge sharing, facility/equipment access, and product innovation.
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Program description
Innovation Vouchers will provide grants for companies to engage in research projects in partnership with an Illinois institute of higher education. This will facilitate the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment, and ultimately lead to the production of more Illinois-based goods and services and spur economic growth in the state. Selection of a qualified administrator will facilitate the sharing of technologies, knowledge, facilities, and equipment, and ultimately lead to the production of more Illinois-based goods and services and spur economic growth in the state. The grant award will be used to reimburse the grantee for administrative costs and to fund vouchers for eligible projects. Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include Illinois-based companies with fewer than 500 employees that operate in key industries, including agribusiness and agtech; energy; information technology; life sciences and healthcare; manufacturing; and transportation and logistics. Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 420-35-3126).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application form (via Illinois GATA/CSFA system)
- Company information and proof of employee count
- Description of research project and expected outcomes
- Letter of commitment from academic partner
- Plan for commercialization or business application
Program contact
- 👤 Shivani Chokshi
- 📧 CEO.InnovationVouchers@illinois.gov
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2022 | $1 | |
| 2023 | $3,000,000 | |
| 2024 | $3,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $3,000,000 | |
| 2027 | $3,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for Innovation Vouchers?
Illinois companies with fewer than 500 employees in targeted industries. Your company must partner with an Illinois college or university on a research project.
What industries are eligible?
Agribusiness, agtech, energy, IT, life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation/logistics.
What are the funds used for?
Grants cover administrative costs and vouchers for eligible research projects with higher education partners.
Can my company be based outside Illinois?
No, applicants must be Illinois-based. The program is designed to support economic growth within the state.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required to apply for or receive an Innovation Voucher grant.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner early with an Illinois higher education institution to develop your research project proposal.
- Clearly connect your project to one of the eligible industries; vague industry fit will weaken your application.
- Document how the research will lead to new products, services, or processes your company will commercialize.
- Demonstrate the specific technologies, facilities, or expertise your academic partner brings that you cannot access internally.
- Check the Illinois GATA system (CSFA 420-35-3126) for detailed submission requirements and any recent updates to eligible sectors.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when the academic partner's role is unclear or too passive; show concrete collaboration. Many reject due to missing connection between research and commercialization; explain how results drive business growth. Insufficient evidence that company cannot perform research alone; explain why the partnership adds unique value.
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