International Tourism Grant Program

The International Tourism Grant Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through its Office of Tourism. This program is authorized under the Illinois Civil Administrative Code and is designed to strengthen the state’s global tourism presence by supporting certified local tourism and convention bureaus located outside the City of Chicago. The initiative reflects Illinois’ broader economic development strategy to increase international visitation and enhance the visibility of regional destinations in global travel markets. The program operates as a partnership between the state and local tourism entities, leveraging public funding to expand international marketing capacity and outreach. The primary purpose of the program is to increase international travel to Illinois by funding marketing initiatives that target overseas audiences. Grants are intended to help eligible organizations develop or expand international tourism marketing programs, particularly those that highlight destinations with strong appeal to global travelers. Priority is given to applicants demonstrating existing international tourism assets, such as partnerships with international tour operators, inclusion in global travel brochures, and access to natural, cultural, or historic attractions. Emphasis is also placed on destinations with established tourism infrastructure and measurable potential to attract international visitors. Funding under this program supports a wide range of marketing-related activities. Allowable uses include advertising campaigns, production of brochures, participation in trade shows, travel for sales missions, hosting familiarization tours for international media and trade representatives, translation services, and membership in international tourism organizations. Salary and fringe benefits for staff directly engaged in international tourism efforts are also eligible. However, the program strictly prohibits the use of funds for equipment purchases, general administrative expenses, unrelated salaries, or alcohol purchases. Indirect costs are not allowed, reinforcing the program’s focus on direct programmatic impact. A key requirement of this program is cost sharing. Grantees must provide matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the awarded amount. These matching funds must be under the control of the applicant organization and used within the grant period. Eligible matching sources include local tourism taxes, membership dues, cash contributions, and certain federal tourism funds. In-kind contributions are permitted but may not exceed 25 percent of the total match. This requirement ensures that local entities are financially invested in the success of their international marketing initiatives. Eligibility for the program is limited to certified local tourism and convention bureaus located outside Chicago that are recognized by the Department. Applicants must meet prequalification requirements through the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal, including maintaining valid registrations such as SAM.gov and UEI identifiers, and demonstrating good standing with state and federal compliance systems. Only one application per entity is allowed, and applicants must submit a complete application package including standardized forms, disclosures, and a program-specific application outlining their proposed activities and expected outcomes. The application process requires submission through an online form by the stated deadline. Required materials include a Uniform Grant Application, Uniform Budget, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Mandatory Disclosure, and a program application. All documents must be properly signed and submitted electronically. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process using criteria such as need, organizational capacity, and project quality. Each application is scored on a 100-point scale, with a minimum threshold required for funding consideration. Awards are distributed based on ranking until available funds are exhausted, with consideration for geographic diversity. The application window for this funding opportunity opens on May 15, 2026, and closes on June 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The anticipated performance period runs from the execution of the grant agreement through June 30, 2027. Following submission, applications undergo evaluation, and selected applicants receive a Notice of State Award initiating the agreement process. This program is expected to be competitive and may be offered periodically depending on state funding availability and tourism priorities.

Focus on demonstrating international market readiness measurable tourism impact and strong partnerships with tour operators and highlight existing international marketing success