Citizenship and Integration Grant Program – United States

Deadline: 12-Jul-2024

The Office of Procurement Operations – Grants Division is currently accepting applications for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program.

The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) across the nation and to provide opportunities for immigrants to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate into the fabric of American society.

The Citizenship Integration Training Academy (CITA) funding opportunity aims to train a new cadre of citizenship instructors and oversee the development of new citizenship programs. This funding will provide support to organizations that have not previously received USCIS grant funding. In year one of the grant, the CITA will provide twelve months of rigorous, mandatory virtual training for grant recipient staff designed to impart the requisite technical skills, knowledge, and capacity to enable them to establish and implement a high-quality citizenship education program for LPRs in years two and three. During years two and three, program implementation will be closely followed and supported by USCIS staff, who will provide technical assistance to grant recipients.

This grant also offers an optional component for funded organizations to pursue and establish a naturalization application services program staffed by two Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representatives. Interested organizations may independently pursue status as a Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognized Organization during year one, with the cost of this training and designated staff time reimbursed through Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA) grant funding. During years two and three, participating grant recipients will begin offering naturalization application services in conjunction with their citizenship education program.

Goals, Objectives and Priorities

• In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, up to $2.4 million in federal funding is available for eligible organizations to participate in the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy. USCIS encourages new organizations to apply as part of USCIS’ effort to fulfill the mandate of expanding the availability of high-quality citizenship education preparation services in underserved areas and eventually increasing the pool of organizations eligible to apply for other USCIS grant funding opportunities.
• USCIS anticipates awarding up to seven grants of up to $400,000 each under this funding opportunity.
• During Year 1, grant recipients must participate fully in all required academy training activities. These activities include, but are not limited to, webinars, in-person training seminars, in-person field trips to established citizenship education programs, roundtables, and a capstone program development plan. The program development plan will guide program implementation during years two and three. Full and active participation in the twelve-month training program is a non-negotiable condition of continued funding.
• Grant recipients that elect to establish a naturalization application services program will also work during year one to complete all trainings required to apply for status as a DOJ Recognized Organization. USCIS will not provide the training required for this program. For the purposes of this grant, naturalization application services are defined as assisting eligible program participants in preparing and submitting a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, preparing for the naturalization interview, and providing ongoing case management as needed. Grant recipients will be expected to independently identify and pursue appropriate training opportunities. Grant funds may be used to pay for training fees and staff time (up to 0.25 FTE per staff member or the equivalent for part-time staff members). By the end of year one, the awardee must submit an application to become a DOJ Recognized Organization and applications for at least two staff members to become DOJ Accredited Representatives.
• During Year 2, grant recipients must launch a citizenship education program, applying the knowledge and expertise learned in year one and in accordance with their program development plan. USCIS defines citizenship education as educational services that provide enrolled LPRs with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for citizenship, including instruction in civics-based English as a Second Language (ESL), U.S. history and government, and the naturalization process. USCIS staff will provide on-going citizenship education technical assistance for the duration of the grant performance period. As the program progresses, it must develop in accordance with USCIS program requirements, as outlined in Appendix B. All grant recipients are expected to fully participate in classes; any exceptions to class attendance will be at the discretion of USCIS. Grant recipients who did not participate fully in all required academy training activities during year one are in violation of program requirements and will not receive funding during year two or three of the program.
• Awardees that elect to establish a naturalization application services program must launch this program during year two of the grant, in accordance with their program development plan. USCIS defines naturalization application services as legal services, provided within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, that help immigrants navigate the naturalization application and interview process. Services include naturalization eligibility screening, providing legal advice, Form N-400 preparation and submission, and naturalization interview preparation. Services may also include filing other related immigration forms or documents, such as Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions, and Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver. All grant-funded naturalization application services programs must develop in accordance with USCIS program requirements, as outlined.
• Individuals trained to become Accredited Representatives may not provide naturalization application services while their application is pending approval from the DOJ. However, USCIS grant funds may still be used to pay up to 0.25 FTE of these individuals if they use their time to conduct naturalization-related outreach to LPRs on behalf of their program, conduct site visits to other DOJ Recognized Organizations, take additional immigration law trainings, or pursue other work relevant to establishing a new naturalization application services program. Organizations must plan to begin offering naturalization application services as soon as their DOJ application is approved.
• During Year 3, grant recipients are expected to have a fully operational citizenship education program and, if applicable, a fully operational naturalization application services program. USCIS staff will continue to provide on-going technical assistance in response to program performance challenges or deficiencies. Technical assistance can be requested by grantees or initiated by USCIS in response to performance issues.

Funding Information

• Available Funding for the NOFO: $2.6 million
• Maximum Award Amount: $400,000
• Period of Performance: 36 months
• Projected Number of Awards: 7
• Projected Period of Performance Start Date: 10/01/2024
• Projected Period of Performance End Date: 09/30/2027

Performance Measures 

• For this grant program, performance will be evaluated based on the following metrics:
  • Year 1: Training and Preparation 
    • Two staff members attend 100% of all required Citizenship Academy events and activities;
    • Two staff members achieve a passing score of 80% or better on all module assessments;
    • Two staff members successfully complete a program development plan by the end of year one;
    • Two staff members complete of all trainings needed to successfully apply for DOJ Recognition and Accreditation by the end of year one (if applicable); and
    • The grant recipient submits an application to become a DOJ Recognized Organization and two staff members concurrently submit applications to become DOJ Accredited Representatives by the end of year one (if applicable).
  • Year 2: Program Start-Up 
    • The grant recipient offers at least two citizenship classes and enrolls a minimum of 50 total LPRs in its citizenship classes by the end of year two;
    • All elements of the citizenship program are in compliance with the USCIS grant program requirements outlined in Appendix B by the end of year two;
    • The grant recipient successfully becomes a DOJ Recognized Organization with two Accredited Representatives on staff as soon as DOJ accreditation processing allows, ideally by the end of year two (if applicable); and
    • The Accredited Representatives prepare and file a minimum of six Form N-400’s, Applications for Naturalization, each accompanied by a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as an Attorney or Accredited Representative, per month until the end of year two (if applicable).
  • Year 3: Full Program Implementation
    • The grant recipient enrolls a minimum of 80 non-duplicated LPRs in citizenship classes by the end of year three;
    • A minimum of 70% of all enrolled citizenship students complete a post-test using an approved, nationally normed test by the end of year three;
    • A minimum of 70% of post-tested citizenship students demonstrate educational gains as measured by the increase between pre- and post-test scores by the end of year three.
    • The grant recipient prepares and files a minimum of 80 Form N-400’s, Applications for Naturalization, accompanied by Form G-28’s, Notice of Entry of Appearance as an Attorney or Accredited Representative, by the end of year three (if applicable).

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants 
• The following entities are eligible to apply to this announcement:
  • County governments
  • City or township governments
  • State governments
  • Special district governments
  • Independent school districts
  • Public or state-controlled institutions of higher education
  • Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
  • Indian/Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)
  • Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations
  • Public/Indian Housing Authorities
  • Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
  • Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
• Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of one year of experience within the past three years providing adult education, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, or other services to adult immigrants. Applicants must also demonstrate extensive knowledge of the community they propose to serve.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.