FY 2024 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) | DHS 24 CIS 010 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 24 CIS 010 002

The FY 2024 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS 24 CIS 010 002; CFDA 97.010) that funds organizations providing high-quality citizenship preparation and naturalization application support for lawful permanent residents (LPRs). The program is rooted in the work of USCIS and its Office of Citizenship and Partnerships/Engagement (OCPE), which is responsible for promoting education and training on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. USCIS frames naturalization as a major step in long-term civic integration, emphasizing that the naturalization process itself drives important learning, particularly around English proficiency and understanding U.S. history and government, which in turn helps immigrants participate more fully in their communities and meet the responsibilities that come with citizenship.

At its core, CINAS is designed to expand access to citizenship preparation services nationwide, especially for LPRs who may face barriers such as limited English proficiency, lack of familiarity with the U.S. civics framework, limited access to trustworthy legal and application assistance, or limited technology access. Funded programs are expected to help eligible residents move from permanent residency toward citizenship by providing structured instruction and practical support that improves readiness for the naturalization interview and test, and helps applicants navigate the naturalization application process. The overall aim is not only to increase successful naturalization outcomes, but also to strengthen immigrants civic knowledge and confidence so they can integrate more fully into the social and civic fabric of the United States.

The opportunity also highlights several complementary activities that grantees may implement alongside direct instruction and application services. These include identifying and sharing effective practices in citizenship preparation, increasing access to and use of technology within citizenship programs (for example, tools that support learning, scheduling, case management, or digital literacy), and partnering with trusted community institutions such as local libraries and museums that often serve as key resource hubs for immigrant communities. Another emphasized component is incorporating strategies that foster welcoming communities, meaning approaches that reduce social isolation, build community connections, and create supportive local environments where immigrants feel encouraged and equipped to participate civically.

This grant sits within a long-running federal investment in immigrant integration services. Since the program began in 2009, the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded more than $55 million through 644 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations across 41 states and Washington, D.C. Entering its 16th year, USCIS reports that the program has helped more than 300,000 LPRs prepare for citizenship, signaling that the CINAS track is part of a broader, established portfolio with a history of supporting community-based service providers and public entities engaged in citizenship education and integration work.

In terms of funding structure and competition details, the award ceiling is $300,000 per award, and USCIS anticipates making about 40 awards under this funding round. The application deadline listed is June 21, 2024, and the opportunity was created on April 24, 2024. Eligible applicants span a wide range of public and nonprofit entities, including state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). The awarding agency is identified as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division, and the funding instrument type is a grant under the community development activity category.

Overall, CINAS is best understood as targeted support for organizations that can deliver reliable, accessible citizenship instruction and naturalization application services at a high standard, while also strengthening the broader local ecosystem that supports immigrant integration through best practices, technology access, and partnerships with community-anchor institutions.

• The Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2024 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS)" 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 2024-04-24.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-06-21. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DHS 24 CIS 010 002

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