NEW YORK – The application period for the Citizenship and Integration Program, which provides funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities nationwide, is now open. The 16-year-old program, Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services, will provide up to $10 million in grants to prepare legal immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and U.S. civics.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expects to award up to 40 organizations up to $300,000 each for two years to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship and integration services. This grant opportunity will fund public or nonprofit organizations offering citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to lawful permanent residents. Applications are due by June 21.
“The announcement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program application period is always an exciting time for USCIS,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Through this program, we empower organizations to help legal immigrants pursue citizenship. Our outreach efforts this year seek to ensure eligible organizations that focus on remote, underserved, or isolated communities are aware of USCIS funding opportunities and that grant funds are assisting more historically underserved communities.”
According to USCIS, since 2009, the program has awarded $155 million through 644 grants to immigrant-serving organizations. These grant recipients have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 300,000 immigrants in 41 states and the District of Columbia. In fiscal year 2024, USCIS received support from Congress through appropriations to make this funding opportunity available to communities and expects to announce award recipients in September 2024.
To apply for this funding opportunity, USCIS encourages applicants to visit www.grants.gov before the deadline to obtain the registration information needed to complete the application process.
–With Jay Domingo/PDM
