The International Tourism Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism, to support certified local convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) located outside the City of Chicago. This state-funded program assists local tourism organizations in expanding international marketing efforts designed to increase international travel to Illinois and promote destinations with high appeal to global travelers.
The program operates under the authority of 20 ILCS 605/605-707 and awards grants from the International Tourism Fund. Its primary goal is to amplify Illinois’ presence in identified global markets by funding activities such as advertising, trade shows, media familiarization tours, translation services, and other promotional tools. Priority is given to applicants with “bookable” international products, listings in tour operator catalogs, or proximity to national parks, forests, scenic byways, and cultural or historical landmarks. The program emphasizes partnerships that build on past success and align with Illinois’ coordinated international tourism strategy.
A total of $1,000,000 is available in FY26, with individual awards ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. All awarded projects must begin upon execution of the grant agreement and end by June 30, 2026. Pre-award costs incurred on or after July 1, 2025, are eligible. Matching funds are required: grantees must contribute at least 50% of the total project cost, and no more than 25% of the match may be in-kind contributions. Indirect costs are not allowed.
Only one application may be submitted per eligible organization. Eligible entities must be certified local tourism and convention bureaus located outside Chicago, in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, and registered in the GATA Grantee Portal. Applicants must also be active in SAM.gov and possess a UEI. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Smartsheet portal between September 15 and October 15, 2025.
A virtual technical assistance session will be held on September 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Attendance is optional but encouraged. All proposals will be competitively evaluated based on criteria including need, capacity, and quality. For questions, applicants may contact Greg Mihalich at greg.mihalich@illinois.gov or the DCEO Tourism Grants Help Desk at ceo.tourismgrants@illinois.gov.
Combine files into max 10 uploads. Sign all forms before submission. Attend technical session on 09/23/2025 at 1:00 PM for help with match requirements.
