UIUC Research Park / Illinois Innovation Network

Supports collaborative university research projects across Illinois through seed grants and commercialization services.

The University of Illinois system’s innovation activity here combines two related entities: the Illinois Innovation Network and the UIUC Research Park in Urbana-Champaign. IIN is a statewide consortium of 15 Illinois public university hubs, while the Research Park is a university technology park that supports company formation and commercialization.

IIN’s flagship funding route is Sustaining Illinois Seed Grants, which award up to $40,000 for collaborative projects that include researchers from at least two IIN hubs and come from IIN member institutions. The program focuses on education and workforce development, economic development, health and wellness, water, food and agriculture, and computing and data. On the Research Park side, EnterpriseWorks provides space, mentorship, and SBIR support, but it does not issue cash grants to startups.

The fit here is collaborative and university-linked. IIN expects cross-hub participation and projects that can be completed within a year, while the Research Park side is focused on commercialization support for entrepreneurs. EnterpriseWorks also holds an EDA University Center Grant for technical assistance in downstate Illinois, which supports service delivery rather than direct awardmaking.