The Illinois Native Plant Society Research Fund was developed to promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and communities through scientific research.
Research Grants
Each year, several research grants are available, in amounts up to $3,000. Eligible research projects may include studies on Illinois native plants and communities (including those that are threatened or endangered), such as life history, reproductive biology, demography, genetics, comparative site inventories, community ecology, ecological interactions, and threat impacts. Projects focused on research relating to education about or restoration of native plants and plant communities, including the effects of management practices, will be considered, but INPS funds cannot be used for plants, seeds, or restoration supplies and equipment (except as an essential part of a research project). Applicants must demonstrate the justification or need for the research project, including providing references or other evidence as applicable.
View past grants awarded, including grant recipient’s names, grant project descriptions and links to articles published.
Survey Grants
Beginning in 2020, INPS initiated a new grant program, the Survey Grant Program. This grant, for up to $5,000, will fund searches for Illinois Endangered, Threatened, or Rare species for which current data is inadequate to assess their status and for which field surveys and recovery recommendations are needed. INPS is working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to develop a priority list for the surveys. Experienced botanical field surveyors, either independent or associated with an institution, are invited to apply for this grant. Partnerships are encouraged.
Central Chapter Grants
The Central Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society offers grants to individuals or groups for support of projects that promote the conservation of Illinois native plants and natural communities.
Applications are limited to projects intended for Central Illinois. For purposes of this grant program, Central Illinois includes the following counties: Brown, Cass, Christian, DeWitt, Fulton, Greene, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, McLean, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, and Tazewell.
For additional information, see Central Chapter Grant Info.
Kankakee Torrent Grant
The Kankakee Torrent Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society offers the Blooming Botanist grant to high school or early college students in Will or neighboring counties interested in learning to identify and monitor plants as well as manage native ecosystems. The grant provides a $1,200 stipend to support students while taking a summer botany course from the Morton Arboretum, as well as performing Plants of Concern monitoring and natural land management for local conservation organizations. The goal is to inspire local students to pursue botanical careers.
For additional information, see Kankakee Torrent Chapter Grant Info.