In late February, USCIC announced the availability of two new grants
that are designed to help lawful permanent residents prepare for
citizenship and integration in the U.S. This year, nearly $7 million
will be made available for education initiatives throughout the
country. The first grant aims to strengthen locally-based citizenship
service providers; the second will increase the ability for members and
associates of national, regional and statewide organizations to provide
citizenship-based services in underserved communities in the U.S. These
two competitive grant programs will, according to USCIS, help expand
citizenship preparation programs for lawful permanent residents that
wish to achieve U.S. citizenship.
The Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program
The first funding opportunity will focus on providing funding for local
programs that are currently working to promote the rights and
responsibilities of citizenship through direct citizenship preparation
programs for lawful permanent residents. Examples of such programs
include those with initiatives to prepare lawful permanent residents
for the civics and the English reading, writing and speaking portions
of the naturalization test.
Organizations interested in applying for this grant opportunity should
send a required letter of intent by March 26, 2010 to the following
email address: citizenshipgrantprogram@dhs.gov.
The Citizenship and Integration National Capacity Building Grant Program
The second funding opportunity will focus on increasing the capacity
building initiatives of national, regional and statewide organizations
that provide citizenship services in underserved communities. Funding
through this grant will assist these organizations in promoting the
integration of immigrants in the U.S. through direct citizenship
services for lawful permanent residents.
Organizations interested in applying for this grant opportunity should
send a required letter of intent by March 26, 2010 to the following
email address: citizenshipgrantprogram@dhs.gov.
To apply for either of these programs, visit www.grants.gov.
