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.