Deadline: 16-Jul-21
The Department of Homeland Security and Office of Procurement Operations – Grants Division is inviting proposals for the 2021 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program; Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services.
The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents across the nation and to provide opportunities for lawful permanent residents to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate into the fabric of American society.
The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program also addresses the DHS mission to administer the immigration laws as stated in the 2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review as the program provides lawful permanent residents instruction on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and information and support on how to apply for naturalization within the authorized practice of immigration law.
Components
Proposed citizenship preparation activities must include the following two components:
- Citizenship instruction to prepare lawful permanent residents for the naturalization test and interview. Program design must include:
- Instruction primarily delivered in English in U.S. history and government for test preparation and the promotion of civic integration;
- Activities that promote civic and linguistic integration;
- English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction in reading, writing, and speaking;
- Instruction primarily delivered in English on the naturalization process and eligibility interview;
- The use of a nationally normed standardized test of English proficiency to place and assess progress of all students enrolled under this program. At least 80% of post-tested students must demonstrate educational gains as evidenced by increased standardized test scores;
- The use of a current adult citizenship textbook that aligns with the skill level of the students in the class (published textbooks only, compilations of worksheets or handouts will not be accepted); all students must be issued a textbook for their own personal use;
- A curriculum that includes all of the components contained in the USCIS Sample Curriculum;
- The provision of at least 40 hours of citizenship instruction over a 10-12 week class cycle with managed enrollment to at least 200 students at the National Reporting System for Adult Education(NRS)low beginning to high intermediate levels (NRS Levels 2-5); and
- The use of citizenship teachers who have degrees in education (K-12 Social Studies, History, TESOL, or Adult Education) and/ or who have at least one year of experience teaching adult immigrants.
- Naturalization application services, within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, to support lawful permanent residents in the naturalization application and interview process. Services must include:
- The provision of naturalization eligibility screening;
- The preparation and submission of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, over the two-year period of performance for at least 200 lawful permanent residents;
- The provision of ongoing immigration case management;
- The use of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP) Accredited Representative (partial accreditation is acceptable) or an attorney who is an employee of the applicant organization or the sub-awardee organization.
Funding Information
- Available Funding for the NOFO: Approximately $8,200,000
- Projected number of Awards: Up to 33
- Period of Performance: 24 months (comprising two 1-year budget periods).
- Projected Period of Performance Start Date(s): 10/01/2021
- Projected Period of Performance End Date(s): 09/30/2023
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible to apply to this announcement:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Independent school districts
- Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
- Indian/Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization
- Public/Indian Housing Authority
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public & state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Special district governments
- State governments
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333614