Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 11 CIS 010 002

  • The Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division in the community development education law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.010 Citizenship Education and Training.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jan 24, 2011 and posted on Jan 20, 2011.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 1, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments Private institutions of higher education State governments.
Apply for DHS 11 CIS 010 002

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Opportunity Summary:

The FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 11 CIS 010 002) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Citizenship (OoC) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program is designed to strengthen immigrant integration by supporting organizations that help lawful permanent residents (LPRs) prepare for U.S. citizenship. USCIS frames naturalization not just as an immigration benefit, but as a major pathway to fuller civic participation and economic opportunity, with the broader aim of strengthening communities and the country. In practical terms, the grant is focused on helping prospective citizens build the knowledge and readiness needed to exercise the rights and responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship.

The central purpose of the funding is to expand and improve high-quality citizenship preparation services across the United States. The opportunity emphasizes two core service areas: citizenship instruction (generally including civics and English preparation aligned with the naturalization process) and naturalization application services (helping eligible individuals navigate and complete the naturalization application). A major priority is expanding access to these services in communities where they are needed most, especially for low-income individuals and other underserved groups who may face barriers such as limited English proficiency, lack of reliable legal or application help, or limited availability of local programming. The program also aims to build long-term capacity in the field by encouraging the development, identification, and sharing of promising practices that improve service quality and outcomes over time.

In addition to expanding service availability, USCIS highlights an interest in innovative and creative solutions to common barriers that applicants experience during the naturalization journey. The grant encourages approaches that solve real-world challenges in citizenship preparation, and it also calls for incorporating receiving communities into the citizenship process, signaling that programs should not operate in isolation but should connect with local institutions and community stakeholders in ways that support integration and successful naturalization outcomes. The overall theme is direct service delivery coupled with quality improvement and broader community engagement that makes citizenship more attainable and sustainable for those eligible to apply.

Funding under this opportunity was estimated at $4,000,000 total, with an award ceiling of $200,000 per grant, and USCIS anticipated making around 20 awards. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which reduces barriers for nonprofit and public entities that might not be able to contribute additional funds. The program is associated with CFDA number 97.010 (Citizenship Education and Training), and its activity categories include community development, education, and law/justice/legal services, reflecting the combined educational and application-support nature of citizenship preparation work.

Eligible applicants included a range of nonprofit and public-sector entities: nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), state and local governmental entities including special district governments, and both public and private institutions of higher education, as well as state governments. The opportunity was posted on January 20, 2011, with an application closing date of April 1, 2011, and it was archived on May 1, 2011. The administering office is listed as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division, and the contact named for access issues related to the full announcement was Stephanie Dawkins, Grant Officer for CIS Grants.

FAQs: FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program (DHS 11 CIS 010 002)

What is this grant opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity called the FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration Direct Services Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services. It is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Citizenship (OoC) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 11 CIS 010 002.

What is the main goal of the program?

The program is designed to strengthen immigrant integration by supporting organizations that help lawful permanent residents (LPRs) prepare for U.S. citizenship, with the broader aim of strengthening communities and the country.

Who is the program intended to help?

The program focuses on helping lawful permanent residents (LPRs) prepare for U.S. citizenship, with emphasis on expanding access in communities where services are needed most, especially for low-income individuals and other underserved groups.

What kinds of barriers does the program aim to address?

The opportunity highlights barriers such as limited English proficiency, lack of reliable legal or application help, and limited availability of local programming. It also encourages innovative and creative solutions to common challenges people face during the naturalization journey.

What services does the grant emphasize?

The grant emphasizes two core service areas: (1) citizenship instruction (generally including civics and English preparation aligned with the naturalization process) and (2) naturalization application services (helping eligible individuals navigate and complete the naturalization application).

Is this funding meant for direct services or something else?

The overall theme is direct service delivery coupled with quality improvement and broader community engagement. The central purpose is to expand and improve high-quality citizenship preparation services across the United States.

Does the program encourage innovation?

Yes. USCIS expresses interest in innovative and creative solutions that address real-world challenges in citizenship preparation and naturalization.

Does the program require community partnerships or engagement?

The opportunity calls for incorporating receiving communities into the citizenship process, signaling that programs should connect with local institutions and community stakeholders rather than operating in isolation.

Does the grant focus on building long-term capacity?

Yes. In addition to expanding service availability, the program aims to build long-term capacity by encouraging the development, identification, and sharing of promising practices that improve service quality and outcomes over time.

How much total funding was estimated for this opportunity?

Total funding was estimated at $4,000,000.

What was the maximum award amount per grant?

The award ceiling was $200,000 per grant.

How many awards were anticipated?

USCIS anticipated making around 20 awards.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 97.010 (Citizenship Education and Training).

What activity categories are associated with this grant?

The activity categories listed include community development, education, and law/justice/legal services, reflecting the combined educational and application-support nature of citizenship preparation work.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants included nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), state and local governmental entities (including special district governments), public and private institutions of higher education, and state governments.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

Yes, both public and private institutions of higher education were eligible. The eligibility description also notes that 501(c)(3) nonprofits were eligible excluding institutions of higher education.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on January 20, 2011.

What was the application closing date?

The application closing date was April 1, 2011.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The opportunity was archived on May 1, 2011.

Which office administered the grant?

The administering office is listed as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.

Who was the contact person mentioned for access issues related to the full announcement?

The contact named was Stephanie Dawkins, Grant Officer for CIS Grants, for access issues related to the full announcement.

How does USCIS frame the value of naturalization in this program?

USCIS frames naturalization not just as an immigration benefit, but as a major pathway to fuller civic participation and economic opportunity, supporting the idea that citizenship strengthens both individuals and communities.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division

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Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DHS 11 CIS 010 002) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration National Capacity Building Grant Program Apply for DHS 11 CIS 010 003

Funding Number: DHS 11 CIS 010 003
Agency: Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division
Category: Community Development Education Law, Justice and Legal Services
Funding Amount: $600,000

 

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