Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant

The Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant supports teachers in Illinois, including home-schooling educators, to facilitate outdoor learning experiences focused on biodiversity. Eligible field trips must occur primarily outdoors and can receive funding for transportation and substitute teacher costs. With a maximum of $500 per teacher, this initiative encourages collaboration among educators. Applications must be submitted for trips occurring before December 31, 2026, and notifications will be sent by March 15, 2026.

Note: You are to put the name and email address of the principal/superintendent that is the signing official for this grant.DO NOT USE THE NAMES OF OTHER PARTICIPATING TEACHERS.
“Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life in an area. The field trip should support Illinois natural resources topics currently being taught in the applicant’s curriculum. At least 75% of the field trip must occur outdoors to be eligible for these grant funds. The field trip site must be in Illinois. Field trips for agricultural and historical topics will not be funded.
The field trip must occur before December 31, 2026. More information will be provided to grant award winners. Do not plan a field trip prior to this date. The Final Report is due no later than one month after the date of the field trip.
Funding
Grants are not transferable. They may not be transferred to another person, school or grade level. There is a $20.00 per student maximum for expenses that are not related to transportation costs or substitute teacher costs. These expenses must be itemized in the "Other Expense(s)" category and are considered secondary expenses.
There is a $500 limit per teacher. Multiple teachers within the same school can collaborate on a field trip. The collaborating teachers must attend the same field trip on the same day.
In order to qualify for the $500 maximum per teacher in a collaborative field trip, each teacher must be accompanying their own students.

Eligibility

Teachers of grades prekindergarten through 12 in Illinois, including home-schooling teachers, may apply.Items Eligible for FundingItems eligible for funding include transportation and compensation for substitute teachers for those teachers who are participating in the field trip. Admission fees and program fees directly related to the field trip will be considered if ample funds are available. Judges have the right to partially fund requests.Primary Expenses: Transportation and substitute teacher fees are the primary expenses eligible for funding. These expenses will be funded first on all winning applications. Substitute teacher fees are only reimbursed for teachers on the field trip who are accompanying their own students. Bus transportation costs on collaborative field trips may not exceed $1,000.00 regardless of the number of collaborating teachers.

Ineligibility

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