Grant Opportunities
Select the funding level that best matches the scope of your nursing practice, education, quality improvement, leadership, patient care, implementation, or research project.
Before You Apply
All Illinois Nurses Foundation grants are awarded through April and October grant cycles. Applications must be submitted electronically by the posted deadline and are reviewed by the INF Grant Committee through a fair and impartial process using standardized criteria.
Ready to Apply?
Applications are submitted through the Portal4Nurses grant application system.
Choose the Right Grant
Choose the grant tier based on the project stage, scope, organizational impact, and level of research or implementation required.
Seed Grant
- Small demonstration or pilot projects
- Feasibility or preliminary data collection
- Initial nursing practice or education initiatives
- Background or preparatory work for a larger project
- Short application with a simple budget and plan
Small Grant
- Nursing practice and quality improvement initiatives
- Clinical or educational programs and projects
- Leadership development and work environment initiatives
- Patient care initiatives
- Moderately detailed application with measurable outcomes
Large Grant
- Nursing research and quality improvement projects
- Leadership, work environment, and patient care initiatives
- Clinical or educational projects
- Collaborative, interdisciplinary, or multi-institutional projects
- Detailed methods, implementation, evaluation, and budget justification
Large Grant applicants must complete the INF Biosketch Form for each applicant or key project team member and upload the completed form with the grant application.
Application Question Sets
Open each question to review the information requested for the selected grant level.
Seed Grant Application
1. Applicant Information
Provide your name, credentials, contact information, and professional license number if applicable.
2. Project Title
Provide a concise title that clearly identifies your project.
3. Short Project Description
Describe what you want to do and why.
Up to one paragraph4. Experience or Interest in This Area
Describe previous work you have completed in this area or explain your interest in the topic.
5. Supporting Evidence
Provide 2 to 3 examples of evidence that relate to your project.
6. Expected Impact or Outcome
Explain what difference the project is expected to make.
- Create awareness of an issue
- Gather data about an issue or problem
- Determine the effect on patients, a unit, or a community
- Improve patient or staff satisfaction
7. Activities and Plan
Provide a bullet list or short timeline describing the planned activities.
Maximum project period: 6 months8. Human Subjects and IRB
If your project or research involves human subjects, have you submitted an application to an Institutional Review Board?
9. Budget
Provide a simple budget listing 2 to 3 items and the cost of each item.
10. Demographics
Voluntary demographic information.
11. Electronic Signature
Provide your electronic signature to certify the application.
Small Grant Application
1. Applicant Information
Provide your name, credentials, contact information, license number, and organization.
2. Project Title
Provide the full title of the project.
3. Project Summary
Describe the project, the issue being addressed, and the proposed approach.
2 to 3 paragraphs4. Abbreviated Literature Review
Provide 3 to 5 examples of evidence that support or inform the project or research.
5. Goals and Objectives
List the primary goals or objectives for the project.
2 to 3 bullets6. Implementation Plan
Provide a brief narrative describing activities, responsibilities, and timeline.
Maximum project period: 12 months7. Expected Impact
Explain the anticipated benefit to nursing practice, patients, staff, or the community.
Up to one paragraph8. Evaluation Plan
Describe how you will determine whether the project was successful.
9. Human Subjects and IRB
If your research or project involves human subjects, have you submitted an application to an Institutional Review Board?
10. Budget
Provide a short budget narrative and a table showing requested expenses. Do not include indirect costs.
11. Demographics
Voluntary demographic information.
12. Electronic Signature
Provide your electronic signature to certify the application.
Large Grant Application
Required Biosketch Form
Complete one biosketch for each applicant or key project team member. Focus responses on qualifications, project role, nursing impact, and alignment with the proposed grant project.
- Download the INF Biosketch Form.
- Complete a form for each applicant or key project team member.
- Save the completed form and upload it with the Large Grant application in Portal4Nurses.
1. Applicant Information and Required Biosketch Upload
Provide applicant information and upload the completed INF Biosketch Form for each applicant or key project team member.
2. Project Title and Short Name
Provide the full project title and a short name or acronym if applicable.
3. Abstract
Summarize the purpose, approach, and expected contribution of the project.
Maximum 350 words4. Background and Literature Review
Describe the problem or topic and summarize relevant literature with citations.
Maximum 500 words5. Significance
Explain why the project matters and the need it addresses.
Maximum 500 words6. Specific Aims and Goals
State the specific aims, goals, or research objectives.
7. Design and Implementation
Describe the overall design and how the project will be implemented.
Maximum 350 words8. Research Methods or Evaluation Plan
Describe methods, participants or population, data collection, measures, analysis, and evaluation tools as applicable.
Maximum 1,000 words9. Human Subjects and IRB
If the research involves human subjects, indicate whether an IRB application has been submitted. If funded, grant funds will be released after receipt of written IRB approval.
10. Timeline
Provide a detailed timeline for project activities, milestones, evaluation, and completion.
Project period: up to 18 to 24 months11. Budget and Justification
Provide a detailed budget table and narrative justification for requested expenses.
12. Letters of Support
Upload letters of support when required for the proposed project.
13. Demographics
Voluntary demographic information.
14. Electronic Signature
Provide your electronic signature to certify the application.
Application and Funding Requirements
- All required application questions must be completed. A CV or resume does not replace required application responses unless specifically requested.
- Applications must be submitted electronically, with an electronic signature and all supporting materials, by the posted deadline.
- Applications are reviewed by the INF Grant Committee using standardized criteria through a fair and impartial review process. Geographic diversity within Illinois may also be considered in final funding recommendations.
- Supplemental funding from other organizations is permitted when the same expense is not funded twice.
- For projects involving human subjects, applications may be submitted before IRB approval. INF funds are distributed only after written IRB approval is received and before the project begins.
- Unused grant funds must be returned at the end of the approved project period unless INF approves a no-cost extension in writing before the project period ends.
- An intermediate report is due at the midpoint of the funded project. A final report is due within 60 days after the approved grant funding period ends.
- Publications and presentations must acknowledge the Illinois Nurses Foundation License Plate Program as the funding source, and copies of resulting articles, presentations, or published materials must be submitted to INF.