Innovation Vouchers Program
CSFA Number: 420-35-3126
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Identification
04-1
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short 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.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
20 ILCS 605/605-1060
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
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.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants to serve a program administrator must be nonprofit organizations eligible to receive state grants.
Beneficiary Eligibility
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.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
Nonprofit organizations eligible to receive state grants
Preapplication Coordination
N/A
Application Procedures
Submissions via the State of Illinois Grant Management System
Criteria Selecting Proposals
N/A
Award Procedures
A single program administrator will be selected pursuant to merit based review. Reimbursement will be based on quarterly reporting.
Deadlines
Deadlines outlined in the NOFO.
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
30 days
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Renewals
Recipient will be eligible for 2 one-year extensions, subject to appropriation
Uses and Restrictions
The grant award will be used to reimburse the grantee for administrative costs and to fund vouchers for eligible projects.
Reports
quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR
Account Identification
tbd
Obligations
Obligations outlined in the NOFO.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range of awards outlined in the NOFO.
Program Accomplishments
To strengthen Illinois’ innovation ecosystem and fully leverage its world-class research assets, the Illinois General Assembly established the Innovation Voucher Program in 2024, which Governor Pritzker signed into law. The program was designed to incentivize industry–academic R&D partnerships, enhance the competitiveness of Illinois companies, and spur commercialization and economic growth across the state.? DCEO engaged the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition to administer the Innovation Voucher Program and award grants that enable companies to conduct research in collaboration with qualifying Illinois institutions of higher education. Through this partnership, 85 awards were made, supporting projects in healthcare, manufacturing, clean technology, and energy across 18 universities statewide.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661, 1011 S 2nd St Springfield, IL 62704, 1020 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62704
Program Website
https://dceo.illinois.gov/whyillinois/innovation-vouchers.html
Example Projects
https://ilinnovoucher.istcoalition.org/success-stories
GATA Exceptions
Uniform Agreement; Other;
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2022 : $1
FY 2023 : $3,000,000
FY 2024 : $3,000,000
FY 2025 : $3,000,000
FY 2027 : $3,000,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
ACTIVE AWARDS
| Agency ID | Grantee Name | Comptroller Name | Start Date | End Date | Amount |
| 24-041001 | Illinois Science & Technology Coalition | ILLINOIS SCIENCE AND | 12/01/2023 | 11/30/2026 | 9,000,000 |