USCIS Expands Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, Accepting Grant Applications

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the enlargement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, offering financial support for citizenship preparation initiatives nationwide. The program, now open for submissions, allocates up to $25 million in grants to aid immigrants in their naturalization journey and foster civic integration by enhancing proficiency in English, U.S. history, and civics. Beyond conventional programs supporting citizenship and English courses, the 2023 grants present opportunities for inventive and innovative approaches to prepare immigrants for naturalization.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou stated, “Through our Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, we are helping to increase integration services like English language, U.S. history, and civics instruction to noncitizens on their journeys to becoming American citizens. Through additional funding opportunities, organizations will be able to reach more communities and ensure noncitizens have access to the tools and resources needed for citizenship education.”

USCIS aims to enhance the availability of high-quality citizenship and integration services across the nation through the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program:

1. Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services: This grant opportunity supports public or nonprofit organizations providing both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services to lawful permanent residents (LPRs). USCIS anticipates awarding up to $300,000 each to 55 organizations for a two-year period. Applications are due by July 28, 2023.
2. Community and Regional Integration Network Grant: This grant facilitates extended integration services with an emphasis on personalized programming for specific immigrants, including those under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, asylees, Cuban or Haitian entrants, Special Immigrant Visa holders, victims of human trafficking and criminal activity, and individuals protected under the Violence Against Women Act. USCIS expects to award up to $300,000 each to three organizations serving vulnerable populations for a two-year duration. Applications are due by July 28, 2023.
3. Regional Hub Program: This grant opportunity focuses on building community and organizational capacity to identify, support, and
4. prepare LPRs for citizenship. USCIS plans to award up to $1 million each to four recipients for a two-year period. Applications are due by July 28, 2023.
5. Innovations in Citizenship Education Program: This grant supports organizations that foster creative approaches to preparing immigrants for naturalization and encourages civic, linguistic, and cultural integration. USCIS expects to award up to $250,000 each to 14 organizations for a two-year period. Applications are due by July 28, 2023.

Since 2009, the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has granted $132 million through 579 grants to organizations serving immigrants. In Fiscal Year 2023, USCIS received congressional support through appropriations to make these funding opportunities available, and award recipients are expected to be announced in September 2023.

To apply for these opportunities, visit www.grants.gov. USCIS encourages applicants to visit the site before the application deadline to obtain necessary registration information.