Cannabis Research Institute opens its Cycle 2 seed funding
The Cannabis Research Institute (CRI) announced that Cycle 2 of its seed funding program opens at 9 a.m. on April 6. This program funds research and community action projects across Illinois that advance cannabis equity. For Cycle 2, CRI especially encourages applications from individuals or organizations with projects focused on populations or geographies outside Chicagoland.
Seed funding program priorities were directly informed by ideas shared by interest holders at listening sessions and interviews in 2025. CRI welcomes applications from all priority areas and especially encourages applications focusing on the following:
Equity-centric research (student and non-student-led) projects
- Consumer and public safety
- Cannabis policy
- Cannabis jobs
- Characteristics of cannabis consumers
Community action projects
- Strategies to promote equitable access to the benefits of cannabis and equitable protection from its potential harms
- Cannabis education and information dissemination
- Research capacity building related to cannabis equity
- Cannabis industry workforce development
The application for Cycle 2 of seed funding closes on Friday, May 15, at 11:59 p.m. CRI encourages applicants to share this funding opportunity with Illinois networks. Individuals who were awarded seed funding during Cycle 1 are not eligible to apply for Cycle 2 seed funding. Click the links below to view the online applications.
Graduate student-led equity-centric research
Applicants can view frequently asked questions about our seed funding program here. As with Cycle 1, CRI is offering weekly office hours sessions where prospective applicants can join live to ask questions. See office hour dates, times, and links to join below.
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – 9-10 a.m. via Zoom
- Tuesday, April 14, 2026 – 12-1 p.m. via Zoom
- Thursday, April 23, 2026 – 9-10 a.m. via Zoom
- Friday, May 1, 2026 – 2-3 p.m. via Zoom
- Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 12-1 p.m. via Zoom
- Friday, May 15, 2026 – 10-11 a.m. via Zoom
Through CRI, Community Health and Cannabis Collaborative (CHeCC) will fund multiple research projects up to $50,000 for non-graduate student-led projects for one year. Equity-centric research (ECR) project seed funding for non-graduate student-led projects is open to academic and research institutions that are interested in researching topics related to cannabis equity in Illinois. Projects may not be led by a graduate student for this RFP. Applicants are required to partner with a community organizer or community-based organization on that project; however, CRI welcomes applications from applicants who do not yet have a community partner.
CRI defines community-based organizations as community-serving entities (non-profit or grassroots organizations; some government entities and social enterprises may also be community-based organizations) that provide resources to those most in need to enhance well-being of community members, promote social justice, and foster sustainable development.
Stay connected with CRI updates and upcoming opportunities by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our newsletter here.
For more Illinois cannabis industry news, subscribe to Illinois News Joint’s newsletter here.
To find cannabis-friendly events in Illinois, visit here.
For Illinois News Joint reviews, visit here.
For more information on News Joint Bar Service, visit here.
For News Joint Printing services, click here.