APPLICATIONS DUE: May 15, 2015, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Description:  The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents in communities across the nation. Additional activities that support this goal include making citizenship instruction and naturalization application services accessible to low-income and other underserved lawful permanent resident populations; developing, identifying, and sharing promising practices in citizenship preparation; supporting innovative and creative solutions to barriers faced by those seeking naturalization; increasing the use of and access to technology in citizenship preparation programs; working with local libraries, which serve as a vital resource for immigrant communities; and engaging receiving communities in the citizenship and civic integration process.

Funding Title: FY 2015 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program

Agency Name: Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Office of Citizenship

Funding Instrument Type: Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid: Yes. Under Naturalization Application Services, within the authorized practice of immigration law, services must include: “The use of a BIA accredited representative or an attorney who is an employee at the applicant organization or at the sub-awardee organization. (Pro bono or volunteer attorneys may be used to supplement the program.)”

Target Population: Lawful permanent residents

Expected Number of Awards: Up to 40

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: There is no cost share requirement for this program. However, projects that supplement government funding are encouraged and may receive favorable consideration. Applicants should clearly identify which budget items are to be supported by federal grant funding and which are to be supported by in-kind contributions and/or other funding sources, along with an estimate of the value of these non-federal funding sources.

How to Apply: DHS is participating in the Grants.gov Initiative that provides the Grant Community a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities; therefore, applicants with electronic access are to submit their applications electronically through http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/apply-for-grants.html. Before you can apply for a DHS grant at grants.gov, you must have a DUNS number and must be registered in the System for Awards Management (SAM).

The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled “Organizational DUNS” on the SF-424 form. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the following website: http://www.grants.gov//web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-1-obtain-duns-number.html.

In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying electronically through Grants.gov must register with the federal System for Award Management (SAM). Step-by-step instructions for registering with SAM can be found here: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html. All applicants must register with SAM in order to apply online. Failure to register with the SAM will result in your application being rejected by Grants.gov during the submissions process.

Please give yourself plenty of time before your grant application submission deadline to obtain a DUNS number and then to register in SAM. It may take 4 weeks or more after you submit your SAM registration before your registration is active in SAM, then an additional 24 hours for Grants.gov to recognize your information.

Current Closing Date for Applications: May 15, 2015, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Estimated Total Program Funding: Up to $10,000,000

Eligible Applicants:   

The following entities are eligible to apply for this funding opportunity:

• City or township governments
• County governments
• Independent school districts
• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations, other than federally recognized tribal governments
• Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Special district governments
• State governments

Link to Full Announcement: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/files/FY15/fy15grant_NOFO.pdf

Contact Information: Send all questions to citizenshipgrantprogram@uscis.dhs.gov. USCIS Office of Citizenship staff will respond within five (5) business days. You may also refer to a list of Questions and Answers found at http://www.uscis.gov/grants. This document will be available a few days after the posting of this NOFO.

DHS Grants Office: Patty Mayo, Grants Officer

Send all questions to: CISMailbox@hq.dhs.gov

Categories: Education Organizations, Express Language for Legal Aid, Government Organizations, Homeland Security, Immigration, Migrants/Immigrants, Native American Tribes or Tribal Organizations, Non-profit Organizations