The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), External Affairs Directorate (EXA), Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement (OCPE) is seeking applications for its Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship and Integration Training Academy.
Donor Name: Office of Citizenship Partnership and Engagement (OCPE)
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/12/2024
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of highquality 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.
Goals
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Funding Information
- Available Funding for the NOFO $2.6 million.
- Maximum Award Amount $400,000.
Period of Performance
36 months
Eligibility Criteria
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
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
