IIN Social Innovation and Impact – Spring 2026

Start Date4/10/2026 Deadline Date5/21/2026

 

Program Description

The University of Illinois System’s Office of the Vice President for Economic Development and Innovation (OVPEDI) is committed to advancing the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) by providing supplemental (operational) funding for several projects. IIN members are guided by the following principles:

  1. Drive inclusive innovation, equitable workforce development and sustainable economic growth throughout the state of Illinois;
  2. Assess and meet regional needs through a combination of collaborative research, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurship and training programs;
  3. Collaborate with hubs across the state and share best practices; and
  4. Advocate for the value of higher education at the state and national levels.

 

Social Innovation and Impact has multiple meanings, including the broad economic, health-related, and social well-being of the state and its communities, and environmental sustainability of its food and water and their numerous ecosystems, which includes addressing issues affecting groups who are underserved, under-represented, and under-resourced.

Social Innovation and Impact may involve creative and disruptive problem-solving around the type of example issues identified in the NOFO.

Proposals will be accepted no later than 11:59 P.M. Central Time on May 21, 2026.

For more information, please visit the Spring 2026 Funding Opportunity webpage. Any questions should be submitted to iincontact@uillinois.edu prior to the deadline.

 

Eligibility

  1. The Lead PI must be from an IIN Hub.
  2. At least two IIN hubs must be involved significantly in the project with at least one Co-PI from a second IIN hub. Note that the University of Illinois hubs are considered one hub for this program and must partner with a non-University of Illinois Hub. SIUE and SIUC are considered separate hubs and may partner under this program.
  3. Projects should include a Co-PI or collaborator from at least one Illinois community-based organization, which, depending on the region of the State, may include community organizations, government organizations, social enterprises, and for-profit businesses contributing financially. For example, a local public health agency may provide wrap-around services beyond their primary mission.
    1. The most competitive proposals will reflect an equitable partnership with the community of service, such as a community organization serving as a Co-PI working with a specific target population.
    2. A Letter of Collaboration from your community partner must be included and should demonstrate shared enthusiasm for the project, provide a description of the partnership and respective organizational roles, share a history of the partnership (if any), and list any financial or in-kind compensation to the Community-Based Organization (CBO).
  4. While there is no limit on the number of proposals a hub may submit, an individual may only be designated as PI on one proposal. There is no limit on the number of projects for Co-PIs.
  5. The project must represent a “seed” concept not previously funded by this program or the IIN Sustaining Illinois program, or in later stages of project development, regardless of “seed” funding source.
  6. The project must be completed in one or two years of award. Applicants must specify in the application whether the project will be completed in one or two years and provide a timeline consistent with the selected period of performance. Interim periods of performance, such as 18 months, will not be considered or approved.
  7. The proposed start date is August 1, 2026, and no later than October 30, 2026.
  8. Previously submitted but unfunded projects to this program or the IIN Sustaining Illinois Seed Grant program may be submitted a maximum of 3 times in a three-year period.

 

PI Requirements

By proceeding, you confirm the following:

  1. This proposal (application) is submitted by and through an eligible institution (see Eligibility);
  2. The Lead PI is employed by and acting on behalf of the eligible institution;
  3. The Lead PI is not the Lead PI on any other proposal (application) submitted to this program for this funding cycle;
  4. This project is a "seed" concept that has not previous received funding;
  5. The project will be completed within and for communities within the State of Illinois or benefit the State of Illinois exclusively;
  6. This project has not been submitted to this or any IIN funding program more than three times in the previous three years; and
  7. You have read the notice of funding announcement and FAQs.