Great news for aspiring U.S. citizens and the organizations that support them! U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just announced the opening of the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Training Academy (CITA).

This is a brand new opportunity funded by USCIS, and it's designed to give a boost to organizations that haven't received grants from them before. CITA is a technical assistance grant program offering up to $2.6 million to public or non-profit organizations.

"The CITA grant is a fantastic way to increase resources for organizations that help immigrants become citizens," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "This program will provide funding and in-depth training, allowing these organizations to establish new high-quality citizenship programs."

This new grant program aligns with President Biden's goals outlined in Executive Order 14012. The order focuses on "eliminating barriers in the naturalization process" and "making it more accessible to all eligible individuals." It also builds on USCIS's commitment to the Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization. This strategy aims to equip more organizations to serve remote, isolated, and vulnerable immigrant populations.

Here's the breakdown:

• Grant amount: Up to $400,000 per organization, awarded to up to seven organizations.

• Grant period: Three years (October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2027).

• Who can apply: Public or non-profit organizations that haven't previously received USCIS grant funding.

USCIS funded this program using leftover fiscal year 2023 funds allocated by Congress.

Want to Apply?

USCIS encourages interested organizations to register at grants.gov/register to access the application process.

Looking for More Information?

USCIS has a wealth of information on the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program available on their website: uscis.gov/grants. You can also reach out to the USCIS Office of Citizenship via email at [email address removed].

This is a fantastic opportunity for organizations that help immigrants navigate the path to citizenship. By providing funding and training, USCIS is investing in the future of new American citizens!