Teacher Vacancy Grant
The Teacher Vacancy Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education funds evidence-based strategies to help Illinois’ most understaffed school districts recruit, hire, and retain teachers.
Funder: Illinois State Board of Education
Due Dates: October 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: Typically $45,000–$125,000 base per district, plus $3,336.47 per unfilled teaching position; most awards range from ~$56,000 to $2.3M depending on vacancies.
Summary: Flexible funding for Illinois’ 100 most understaffed school districts to implement evidence-based strategies for recruiting, hiring, and retaining teachers.
Key Information: Only pre-selected, high-vacancy districts in EBF Tiers 1–3 are eligible; application is not competitive.
Description
This grant program targets the 100 Illinois public school districts with the highest numbers of unfilled teaching positions, providing flexible, formula-based funding to address persistent teacher shortages. Districts may use funds to implement innovative, evidence-based strategies for teacher recruitment, hiring, retention, and support, including financial incentives, housing stipends, tuition assistance, residencies, loan repayment, coaching, professional learning, and improvements to school culture and climate. The program emphasizes local context, sustainability, and data-driven planning, aiming to ensure every classroom is staffed by excellent teachers.
