FY 2017 Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services | DHS 17 CIS 010 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 17 CIS 010 002

The FY 2017 Citizenship and Assimilation Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the Department of Homeland Security through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), specifically USCISs Office of Citizenship (OoC). The program is rooted in USCISs mission to promote instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities that come with US citizenship. It treats naturalization not just as a legal step, but as a major civic milestone that supports the broader assimilation of immigrants into American community life.

At its core, the opportunity is designed to expand the reach and availability of high quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents across the country. The program emphasizes that preparing for naturalization helps immigrants build practical civic knowledge and skills, particularly by strengthening English proficiency and understanding of US history and civics, which are central requirements of the naturalization process. The intent is that, through structured preparation and support, lawful permanent residents are better equipped to succeed in the naturalization process, become engaged citizens, and participate more fully in American society.

The grant focuses on two closely linked service areas: citizenship instruction and naturalization application services. Citizenship instruction typically includes English language learning connected to the citizenship test, civics and history education aligned with the naturalization exam, and broader training on what citizenship means in practice. Naturalization application services generally involve helping eligible lawful permanent residents navigate the naturalization process, including preparing and completing application materials and supporting individuals through procedural steps that can be confusing or intimidating without guidance. Together, these services aim to reduce barriers to naturalization by improving readiness for the test and interview while also improving access to reliable, community based support.

In addition to direct services, the opportunity highlights several supportive activities meant to raise overall program quality and long term impact. These include developing, identifying, and sharing promising practices in citizenship preparation so that effective models can be replicated across communities. The program also encourages increasing the use of and access to technology in citizenship preparation, which can include digital learning tools, online resources, and technology supported instruction that broadens access for learners with scheduling, transportation, or geographic constraints. Another emphasized strategy is collaboration with local libraries, recognizing libraries as trusted, accessible community institutions that often serve as important hubs for immigrant communities by offering space, internet access, learning resources, and community programming. Finally, the program calls for incorporating strategies that foster welcoming communities, reflecting an understanding that successful civic assimilation is not only about individual knowledge and test preparation, but also about community environments that support integration, belonging, and civic participation.

The funding opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DHS 17 CIS 010 002 and CFDA 97.010, with an education activity category and a grant as the funding instrument. The total award ceiling is listed as 9,000,000, with an expected 36 awards, indicating an intent to fund multiple local or regional providers rather than concentrating funding in a small number of large grantees. The posting indicates a creation date of July 25, 2017 and an original closing date of August 6, 2017. Eligibility is broadly summarized as Others, with additional eligibility details referenced as being provided in the full opportunity materials. Overall, the opportunity aims to strengthen community based capacity to deliver effective, accessible citizenship preparation and application assistance, while also promoting innovation, collaboration, and supportive local conditions that help lawful permanent residents move from permanent residency to full civic membership through naturalization.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Citizenship and Assimilation 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.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 25, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 06, 2017. (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 $9,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 36 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DHS 17 CIS 010 002

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