USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunities

Funding will expand local capacity to prepare legal residents for citizenship

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the availability of two different grants totaling $7 million designed to promote citizenship education and immigrant integration in communities across the country.

"Each aspiring citizen represents a personal story of sacrifice and triumph," said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. "This funding will increase opportunities for English language instruction, promote the rights and responsibilities that define our nation, and provide much-needed support for individuals on the path to citizenship."

The first grant will strengthen locally-based citizenship preparation programs. The second grant will increase the capacity of members or affiliates of national, regional, or statewide organizations to offer citizenship services in underserved communities. USCIS expects to announce an estimated 50 award recipients in September 2010.

Those organizations planning to apply for either of the grants must send a mandatory letter of intent to [email protected] by March 26, 2010. To apply for either program, visit www.grants.gov. Applications for both grant opportunities are due by April 30, 2010.

During fiscal year (FY) 2009, USCIS awarded $1.2 million in grants to 13 immigrant-serving organizations across the country. These awards are currently expanding services and outreach on U.S. citizenship, educational opportunities, and available resources to nearly 70,000 LPRs in 11 states.

For more information about the FY 2010 Citizenship Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants. To learn more about USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

– USCIS –

Fact Sheet                                      

Fiscal Year 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

Introduction

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the availability of two different grants designed to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for citizenship and advance integration in the United States. This year's program will make nearly $7 million available for citizenship education in communities across the country.

Background

As part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, Congress authorized $11 million to enhance immigrant integration initiatives within USCIS, a significant portion of which will bolster the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The FY 2010 program will include two competitive funding opportunities and approximately $7 million to support citizenship preparation services for LPRs.

The first grant will strengthen locally-based citizenship service providers. The second grant will increase the capacity of members or affiliates of national, regional, or statewide organizations to offer citizenship services in underserved communities. An estimated 50 awards, subject to the availability of funds, are anticipated and recipients will be announced in September 2010.

Through these two competitive grant programs, USCIS seeks to expand citizenship preparation programs for LPRs to ensure that those who are committed to the goal of U.S. citizenship receive the support they need to be successful. Increased opportunities and additional resources in communities will help LPRs improve their English language skills and knowledge of U.S. history and government as they prepare for citizenship.  

Grant funding may only be used to provide direct citizenship preparation services to LPRs. Allowable activities under this year's program include:

• Citizenship or civics-focused English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction;
• Citizenship instruction;
• Educational resources (textbooks, language software, computers, etc); and
• Naturalization application assistance (including legal services).

Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program

This funding opportunity will focus on local programs currently promoting the rights and responsibilities of citizenship through citizenship preparation programs for LPRs. Proposed activities must include a citizenship education component consisting of citizenship or civics-focused ESL instruction and citizenship instruction (U.S. history and government) to prepare LPRs for the civics, and English reading, writing and speaking components of the naturalization test.  

In addition to the mandatory education component, grant funds may be used to provide naturalization application preparation assistance, including legal services (within the scope of authorized practice of immigration law) and case management services to support the naturalization application and interview process. Grant funds may also be used for outreach to inform LPRs of services offered through this grant funded program, staff professional development, and volunteer training. Grants will be awarded to organizations proposing citizenship education services only, as well as to organizations proposing both citizenship education services and naturalization application preparation assistance.

Organizations eligible for this funding include, but are not limited to, public or private non-profit groups such as public school systems; universities or community colleges; civic, community, and faith-based organizations; adult education programs; public libraries; and volunteer and/or literacy organizations.

Organizations planning to apply must send a mandatory letter of intent to [email protected] by March 26, 2010.

Citizenship and Integration National Capacity Building Grant Program

This second funding opportunity is aimed at increasing the capacity building efforts of national, regional, or statewide organizations offering citizenship services in underserved communities. Funding will support the efforts of local members or affiliates in promoting immigrant integration through direct citizenship services for LPRs. An anticipated five (5) competitively awarded grants of up to $500,000 each will fund national, regional, or statewide organization program management activities as well as organizational capacity building and technical assistance to local members or affiliates to build or strengthen citizenship preparation programs.

Eligible organizations under this announcement include non-profit organizations with a network of members or affiliates. Member/affiliate organizations that are included in a national, regional, or statewide organization's proposal for this announcement are not eligible to apply individually for the FY 2010 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program.

Organizations planning to apply must send a mandatory letter of intent to [email protected] by March 26, 2010.

Application Information

To apply for this funding opportunity, go to www.grants.gov and click "Apply for Grants" then "Download a Grant Application Package and Instructions." Enter the funding opportunity number and then click the "Download Application Package" button. Next, click the "Download" link for this opportunity and follow the prompts to download the application and instructions package.

All applicants applying for federal funding must have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled "Organizational DUNS" on the form SF-424. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at www.grants.gov/GetStarted.

In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Federal Central Contractor Registry and with a Credential Provider. The Grants.gov Web site at www.grants.gov/GetStarted provides step-by-step instructions for registering with the Central Contractor Registry and for registering with a credential provider. All applicants filing electronically must register with the Central Contractor Registry and receive credentials from the Grants.gov credential provider in order to apply.

Contact Information

For additional information on the FY 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, please see www.uscis.gov/grants or contact the USCIS Office of Citizenship by phone at (202) 272-1280 or by e-mail at [email protected].

To learn more about applying for federal funding opportunities, please visit www.grants.gov or contact the Grants.gov support line at (800) 518-4726.

Media inquiries should be directed to USCIS Office of Communications at (202) 272-1200.

SOURCE U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

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