The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is inviting applicants for its Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING) to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for immigrants across the nation and to provide opportunities for immigrants to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate into the fabric of American society.
Donor Name: Department of Homeland Security
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/28/2023
Size of the Grant: $300,000
Grant Duration: 24 months
Details:
OCPE is charged with promoting instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS recognizes that naturalization is a key milestone in the civic integration of immigrants. Naturalization requirements, such as knowledge of English and U.S. history and government, encourage civic learning and build a strong foundation upon which immigrants can fully integrate into American society. Through preparing for naturalization, immigrants gain tools to become successful citizens and meet their responsibilities as United States citizens.
Objectives
In fiscal year (FY) 2023, approximately $1 million in federal funding is available for eligible organizations to provide integration services to vulnerable immigrant populations. USCIS seeks to award approximately three grants of up to $300,000 each.
Proposed services must include all three of the following components:
- Integration Services
- Grant recipients will assess each program participant’s integration needs and then formulate individualized integration plans. Grantees will also be responsible for the provision of or referral to integration services, and for monitoring the progress of the integration plans.
- Citizenship Instruction Services
- Grant recipients will offer civics-based literacy instruction, civics-based English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, or citizenship instruction to provide enrolled immigrants with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for citizenship.
- Naturalization Application Services
- Within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, grant recipients will assist qualified program participants in preparing and submitting a Form N400, Application for Naturalization, preparing for the naturalization interview, and providing ongoing case management as needed.
Priorities
Certain immigrants, such as those who entered the United States through USCIS’ humanitarian programs, may experience unique challenges with civic, linguistic, economic, cultural, and institutional integration when resettling in the United States, which may impact their progress toward full civic integration. It is critical to provide vulnerable immigrant populations with opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to fully integrate into American society.
Immigrants who entered the United States or adjusted status in one of the following categories are eligible for services under this program:
- Refugees;
- Asylees;
- Cuban or Haitian entrants;
- Victims of human trafficking or criminal activity;
- Abused spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens; and
- Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs)
- Individuals on a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV)
Funding Information
- Available Funding for the NOFO: $900,000.00
- Maximum Award Amount $300,000
- Period of Performance: 24 months
Eligibility Criteria
The following entities are eligible to apply as a principal applicant or potential subrecipient 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 Grants.gov.
