FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) | DHS 23 CIS 010 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 23 CIS 010 002

The FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administered through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and its Office of Citizenship and Partnership Engagement (OCPE). The program is designed to strengthen civic integration by expanding access to high-quality citizenship preparation and naturalization application support for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) across the United States. At its core, the opportunity recognizes naturalization as a major step in an immigrant's long-term integration, and it frames citizenship education (English language learning and U.S. history and civics knowledge) as both a practical pathway to passing the naturalization test and a broader foundation for full participation in civic life.

CINAS funding supports organizations that directly provide citizenship preparation services to LPRs, including instruction that helps applicants meet the naturalization requirements related to English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history and government. Alongside classroom-style citizenship instruction, the opportunity emphasizes naturalization application services that help eligible LPRs navigate the process of applying for citizenship in a lawful and ethical way, consistent with the authorized practice of immigration law. The overall intention is to improve both availability and quality of services so more LPRs can prepare effectively, avoid preventable application errors, and move through the naturalization process with reliable, community-based support.

Beyond direct instruction and application assistance, the CINAS opportunity highlights several supporting activities that applicants are encouraged to incorporate. These include identifying and implementing best practices in citizenship preparation, sharing effective approaches with the broader field, and increasing the use of technology to improve access and outcomes (for example, expanding digital tools for learning, remote or hybrid instruction models, online scheduling, or better case management systems). The program also points to partnerships with local libraries and museums, reflecting the role these community institutions often play as trusted hubs for learning resources, public programming, internet access, and outreach to immigrant communities. Another featured theme is fostering welcoming communities, meaning grantees are encouraged to integrate strategies that help immigrants feel included and supported as they build the knowledge, confidence, and community connections that contribute to long-term civic participation.

The opportunity is part of a long-running national effort that began in 2009. According to the notice, since its launch the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded more than $132 million through 579 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 39 states and Washington, D.C., and has helped more than 300,000 LPRs prepare for citizenship. This history is used to underscore that the grant program is intended as a scalable, field-building investment in community-based citizenship services, not a one-off initiative. The FY 2023 cycle is described as the program's 15th year, reinforcing its continuity and its established role in supporting citizenship preparation infrastructure nationwide.

CINAS also aligns itself with broader federal priorities and agency missions. The notice links the program to Executive Order 14012, which focuses on restoring faith in legal immigration systems and strengthening integration and inclusion efforts for new Americans, as well as DHS's Strategic Plan for FY 2020-2024. It further connects the program to DHS's responsibility to administer and enforce immigration laws and to USCIS's mission and values, particularly through education on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and by providing appropriate, compliant guidance on applying for naturalization.

From an administrative standpoint, the grant is listed under Funding Opportunity Number DHS 23 CIS 010 002 and CFDA (now commonly referred to as Assistance Listing) 97.010, with a funding activity category of community development and a grant (not contract) instrument type. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; other Native American tribal organizations; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions under that nonprofit category). The opportunity posting shows an award ceiling of $300,000, with an expected 55 awards. Key dates provided include a creation date of June 9, 2023, and an original closing date of July 28, 2023.

In practical terms, the CINAS grant opportunity is aimed at organizations that already serve immigrants or are positioned to build strong citizenship programs, and it prioritizes efforts that combine effective citizenship instruction with hands-on naturalization application support. The program's emphasis on best practices, technology, community partnerships, and welcoming-community strategies signals that USCIS is looking not only for service delivery, but also for stronger program design, improved access for LPRs, and approaches that can be replicated and shared to raise the overall quality of citizenship preparation services nationwide.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 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 Jun 09, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2023 No Explanation. (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 55 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.

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