Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), in its capacity as the Illinois Climate Bank (ICB), is pleased to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Phase One of the Community Geothermal Planning and Pilots Program. Phase One Planning Grants will fund planning and design activities for projects that have already begun preliminary development and can demonstrate early progress toward community-scale geothermal deployment, up to $250,000 per award.
Funding is intended to help applicants move from early feasibility to full project readiness by producing deliverables that meet the technical, financial, and other criteria required for future Phase Two Pilot and Project Deployment Grant applications. The 12-month period of performance for Phase One Planning Grants will culminate in the production of a complete, actionable Community Geothermal Project Plan.
Application Due Date: February 13, 2026
Available Funding: $1,000,000
Award Range: $100,000-$250,000
Please visit our Community Geothermal Planning + Pilots program page for more information.