Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 16 CIS 010 001
Apply for DHS 16 CIS 010 001
- The DHS-OPO in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.010.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 29, 2016 and posted on Feb 29, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 22, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 16 CIS 010 001; CFDA 97.010) is a discretionary grant offered through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and its Office of Citizenship (OoC). The program is built around USCIS's role in promoting education on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and supporting lawful immigrants as they move through the naturalization process. USCIS frames naturalization as a key step in civic integration, emphasizing that the required knowledge of English and U.S. history and civics is not just a test hurdle, but a structured way for immigrants to build the skills and understanding needed to participate fully in American civic life.
At its core, this opportunity funds community-based organizations that either want to start new citizenship instruction services or significantly improve and expand existing ones. USCIS explicitly highlights the importance of local nonprofit service providers because they often have trusted relationships with immigrant communities and are well positioned to reach underserved populations. The intent is to professionalize and increase the availability and quality of citizenship preparation services, using a model that connects language learning with civics and naturalization readiness.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). A central requirement is demonstrated, verifiable experience delivering English as a Second Language (ESL) programming. The grant is not designed for organizations starting from scratch in adult education; applicants are expected to leverage established ESL instructional capacity and apply that expertise specifically to citizenship instruction. As part of the application, organizations must submit their citizenship curriculum and identify the textbook that will guide instruction for the entire period of performance. OoC retains the right to recommend changes to the curriculum or educational materials during the negotiation phase or within the first quarter after an award is made, signaling that instructional quality, alignment, and suitability for naturalization preparation will be actively reviewed.
The program includes clear service delivery expectations for awardees. Grant recipients must enroll at least 125 students in citizenship instruction and provide each student with a minimum of 40 hours of instruction during the grant period. These thresholds effectively set a minimum scale and intensity for funded programming, aiming to ensure that participants receive enough classroom time to make meaningful progress toward the English and civics knowledge required for naturalization.
The opportunity also signals DHS interest in strengthening legal service capacity connected to citizenship work. Applications may include costs for Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) training for staff, with the long-term goal of achieving BIA accreditation. While the grant is focused on instruction rather than direct legal representation, this allowance reflects an understanding that organizations providing citizenship education often operate in the same ecosystem as naturalization application assistance and may benefit from building compliant, accredited capacity over time.
In terms of federal priorities, the grant is tied to DHS's Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), specifically Mission 3 (Enforce and Administer Our Immigration Laws) and Goal 3.1 (Strengthen and Effectively Administer the Immigration System). Within that framework, the program supports lawful immigration, effective administration of immigration services, and the integration of lawful immigrants into American society. In practical terms, it is a community development-oriented investment meant to improve access to high-quality citizenship preparation, especially in communities where immigrants may face barriers such as limited resources, limited access to adult education, or lack of trusted local providers.
From a funding and timing standpoint, the award ceiling is listed as up to $1,000,000, with an expectation of approximately 10 awards. The opportunity was posted February 29, 2016, and had an application closing date of April 22, 2016. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is community development, reflecting its emphasis on building local capacity to deliver educational services that support naturalization and long-term civic integration.
FAQs: FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program - Citizenship Instruction (DHS 16 CIS 010 001)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the FY 2016 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 16 CIS 010 001; CFDA 97.010).
Which federal agency is offering and administering this program?
The program is offered through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), specifically USCIS's Office of Citizenship (OoC).
What is the main purpose of the program?
The program funds citizenship instruction services that help lawful immigrants build the English language and U.S. history and civics knowledge associated with the naturalization process. USCIS presents naturalization knowledge requirements as a structured pathway to support civic integration and full participation in American civic life.
What types of organizations is USCIS trying to support through this grant?
The funding targets community-based organizations, with USCIS emphasizing local nonprofit service providers that often have trusted relationships with immigrant communities and can reach underserved populations.
What kinds of projects does the grant fund?
The grant supports organizations that want to start new citizenship instruction services or significantly improve and expand existing citizenship instruction services, using established instructional capacity to deliver high-quality citizenship preparation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Does an applicant need prior instructional experience?
Yes. A central requirement is demonstrated, verifiable experience delivering English as a Second Language (ESL) programming. Applicants are expected to build from established adult ESL instructional capacity rather than starting adult education services from scratch.
Is this grant intended for organizations that are new to adult education?
No. The opportunity is not designed for organizations starting from scratch in adult education. It expects applicants to already have ESL programming experience and to apply that expertise specifically to citizenship instruction.
What curriculum and instructional material requirements are included in the application?
Applicants must submit their citizenship curriculum and identify the textbook that will guide instruction for the entire period of performance.
Can USCIS require changes to the curriculum or textbooks after an award?
Yes. The Office of Citizenship retains the right to recommend changes to the curriculum or educational materials during the negotiation phase or within the first quarter after an award is made.
What are the minimum service delivery expectations for funded programs?
Awardees must enroll at least 125 students in citizenship instruction and provide each student with a minimum of 40 hours of instruction during the grant period.
What do the enrollment and hour requirements suggest about the expected program scale?
They set a minimum scale and intensity for funded programming, aiming to ensure that participants receive enough instruction time to make meaningful progress toward naturalization-related English and civics knowledge.
Is this funding only for classroom instruction, or does it allow capacity-building related to legal services?
While the grant is focused on instruction, applications may include costs for Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) training for staff, with the long-term goal of achieving BIA accreditation.
Does the grant fund direct legal representation?
The information provided describes the grant as focused on instruction rather than direct legal representation, while still allowing certain training costs (like BIA training) that can strengthen compliant service capacity over time.
How does this opportunity connect to broader DHS priorities?
The grant is tied to DHS's Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR), specifically Mission 3 (Enforce and Administer Our Immigration Laws) and Goal 3.1 (Strengthen and Effectively Administer the Immigration System). Within that framework, it supports lawful immigration, effective administration of immigration services, and the integration of lawful immigrants into American society.
What is the funding instrument type and activity category?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is community development.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is listed as up to $1,000,000.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The opportunity notes an expectation of approximately 10 awards.
When was the funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 29, 2016.
What was the application closing date?
The application closing date was April 22, 2016.
What is USCIS emphasizing about citizenship instruction in this program?
USCIS emphasizes that the required knowledge of English and U.S. history and civics is not merely a test hurdle. It is framed as a structured way for immigrants to build skills and understanding needed for civic participation and long-term integration.
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