DHS USCIS FY23 CINAS NOFO CLEARED 062023.pdf

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services

All entities wishing to do business with the federal government must have a unique entity identifier (UEI). The UEI number is issued by the SAM system. Requesting a UEI (Sam.gov) information can be found at: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration.

Grants.gov registration information can be found at:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

Planned UEI Updates in Grant Application Forms On April 4, 2022, the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number was replaced by a new, non-proprietary identifier requested in, and assigned by, the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

This new identifier is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Additional Information can be found on Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

A. Program Description

1. Issued By U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), External Affairs Directorate (EXA), Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement (OCPE)

2. Assistance Listings Number 97.010

3. Assistance Listings Title

Citizenship Education and Training

4. Funding Opportunity Title FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS)

5. Funding Opportunity Number

DHS-23-CIS-010-002

6. Authorizing Authority for Program H.R. 2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) Division F, Title IV https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/planned-uei-updates.html

7. Appropriation Authority for Program H.R. 2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328) Division F, Title IV

8. Announcement Type Initial

9. Program Overview, Objectives, and Priorities

a. Overview

OCPE is charged with promoting instruction and training on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. USCIS recognizes that naturalization is a key milestone in the civic integration of immigrants. Naturalization requirements, such as knowledge of English and U.S. history and government, encourage civic learning and build a strong foundation upon which immigrants can fully integrate into American society. Through preparing for naturalization, immigrants gain tools to become successful citizens and meet their responsibilities as United States citizens.

The goal of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program is to expand the availability of high-quality citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) across the nation and to provide opportunities for immigrants to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate into the fabric of American society.

Since it began in 2009, the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has awarded more than $132 million through 579 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Now in its 15th year, the program has helped more than 300,000 LPRs prepare for citizenship. The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program supports the objectives of Executive Order 14012, Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2020-2024, by promoting integration, inclusion, and citizenship. Furthermore, the goals of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program address the DHS mission to enforce and administer our immigration laws (captured in the Third Quadrennial Homeland Security Review) and USCIS’ mission and values, as the program provides immigrants instruction on the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship and information and support on how to apply for naturalization within the authorized practice of immigration law.

The Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services (CINAS) funding opportunity provides support to organizations that offer citizenship preparation services to LPRs. Additional activities that support this goal include identifying, implementing, and sharing best practices in citizenship preparation; increasing the use of and access to technology in citizenship preparation programs; working with local libraries and museums which serve as vital resources for immigrant communities; and incorporating strategies to foster welcoming communities as part of the citizenship and civic integration process.

b. Objectives

In fiscal year (FY) 2023, approximately $16.5 million in federal funding is available for https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/02/executive-order-restoring-faith-in-our-legal-immigration-systems-and-strengthening-integration-and-inclusion-efforts-for-new-americans/ https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/23_0420_plcy_2023-qhsr.pdf https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/23_0420_plcy_2023-qhsr.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/mission-and-core-values#:%7E:text=Mission%20and%20Core%20Values%201%20Mission%20Statement%20USCIS,People%20%E2%80%93%20In%20Service%20to%20the%20Public%20 eligible organizations to provide direct citizenship preparation services to LPRs through this funding opportunity. USCIS anticipates awarding up to 55 grants of up to $300,000 each.

Proposed services must include the following two components:

1.) Citizenship Instruction Services:

Educational services that provide enrolled LPRs with the skills and knowledge needed to prepare for citizenship, including instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), U.S. history and government, and the naturalization process.

2.) Naturalization Application Services:

Within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, grant recipients must assist qualified program participants in preparing and submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, preparing for the naturalization interview, and providing ongoing case management as needed.

For detailed information on the two mandatory program components, see below Section C.2, Eligibility Information.

Partnerships Partnerships are encouraged. Applicants may include partnerships with other public or non-profit organizations in their proposal. The principal applicant must directly provide either citizenship instruction or naturalization application services, or both. A partner organization is a “subrecipient” if the organization will receive a portion of the grant funding to provide additional or complementary direct citizenship instruction or naturalization application services.

The principal applicant must complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the prospective subrecipient and submit it with the application. The principal applicant must clearly demonstrate how it will monitor the prospective subrecipient’s performance and ensure that the prospective subrecipient complies with all grant award conditions and data reporting requirements. The MOU must state the minimum number of students to whom the subrecipient will provide services and how grant funding will be allocated to fund the services. Prospective subrecipients must have their own individual UEI number and will be responsible for financial and performance reporting. Subrecipients must submit their reports to the principal applicant for submission to DHS.

If the principal applicant partners with an organization that does not receive a portion of the grant funding, the principal applicant should still complete an MOU. However, the principal applicant does not need to include the other required information listed above for subrecipients and the partner organization does not need an individual UEI.

10. Performance Measures For this grant program, performance will be evaluated based on the following metrics:

a. Cumulative percentage of enrolled students who post-test using nationally normed standardized tests of English language proficiency (minimum goal of 80%);

b. Cumulative percentage of post-tested students demonstrating measurable educational gains (minimum goal of 80%); and

c. Three performance metrics for which the minimum goals vary based on funding level, as described in the chart below:

1.) Number of newly enrolled non-duplicated LPRs in citizenship instruction classes;

2.) Number of LPRs for whom your organization will provide naturalization eligibility screening;

3.) Number of LPRs for whom your organization will prepare and file a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Available Funding for the NOFO: $16,500,000

2. Projected Number of Awards: 55

3. Maximum Award Amount: $300,000

4. Period of Performance: 24 months

Note: extensions are permitted. See Section H, Additional Information, Period of Performance Extensions, for more information.

5. Projected Period of Performance Start Date: 10/01/2023

6. Projected Period of Performance End Date: 09/30/2025

Minimum Performance Goals for Two-Year Period of Performance

Funding Level

Newly enrolled non-duplicated LPRs in citizenship classes

LPRs receiving naturalization eligibility screening

LPRs filing Forms N- 400 and G-28 from To $270,000 $300,000 200 200 200 $240,000 $269,999 180 180 180 $210,000 $239,999 160 160 160 $180,000 $209,999 140 140 140 $150,000 $179,999 120 120 120

7. Funding Instrument Type: Grant

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply to this announcement:

a. County governments

b. City or township governments

c. Special district governments

d. Independent school districts

e. Public or state-controlled institution of higher education

f. Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

g. Indian/Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized)

h. Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organizations

i. Public/Indian Housing Authority

j. Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than institutions of higher education

k. Special district governments

l. State governments

2. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate experience with, and extensive knowledge of, the community they propose to serve and should describe how the proposed program design will address the specific needs of this community. Through citizenship instruction and naturalization application services, the LPRs served under the program will gain skills and knowledge required to become successful citizens.

Applicants and any proposed subrecipients must demonstrate recent experience with the provision of citizenship preparation services. Specifically, at least one year of experience within the past three years:

a. Providing citizenship instruction in a classroom setting that follows a curriculum and utilizes a textbook; and

b. Preparing and filing Forms N-400 and G-28 on behalf of qualified LPRs and within the authorized practice of immigration law. See Appendix D for definitions of these terms.

Proposed services must include the following two mandatory components:

a. Citizenship Instruction Services to prepare LPRs for the naturalization process.

Programs must include:

1.) Citizenship Instruction, which must include the following content areas:

a.) ESL instruction in reading, writing, and speaking;

b.) U.S. history and government instruction delivered in English for test preparation and the promotion of civic integration,1 and c.) The naturalization process and eligibility interview, with instruction delivered in English.

2.) Course Curriculum, which must include all components outlined in the USCIS Guide to Creating an Adult Citizenship Education Curriculum:

a.) Instruction in U.S. history and government for test preparation and the promotion of civic integration;

b.) Activities that promote civic and linguistic integration;

c.) ESL instruction in reading, writing, and speaking for the naturalization test, naturalization process, and to conduct required integration activities;

d.) Instruction on the naturalization interview and Form N-400; and e.) Instruction on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, including information on voting rights and responsibilities, how to register to vote after becoming a citizen, the basics of becoming an informed voter, and the penalties for voting before becoming a citizen under Division C of PL 104– 208, 110 Stat. 3009-546.2

3.) Course Textbooks, which must align with the skill level of the students in the class:

a.) Published hardcopy textbooks only, compilations of worksheets or handouts will not be accepted; and b.) All students must be issued a textbook for their own personal use to keep.

4.) Nationally Normed Standardized ESL Assessments, which must be used to place and assess progress of all students enrolled under this program, and verify that:

a.) At least 80% of enrolled students participate in post-testing; and b.) At least 80% of post-tested students demonstrate educational gains as evidenced by increased standardized test scores.

USCIS provides grant recipients and subrecipients with free copies of the Assessment for Adult Citizenship Education (AACE). We strongly encourage but do not require recipients to use the AACE to assess civics learning gains in addition to the ESL assessment.

1 Some instruction in languages other than English may be provided under the program to immigrants who qualify for exemptions to the English language naturalization requirements. Grant recipients who provide such instruction must still provide the minimum number of permanent residents with grant-funded citizenship instruction in English over the two-year period of performance.

2 https://www.congress.gov/104/plaws/publ208/PLAW-104publ208.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-1189.pdf

5.) Course Structure, which must include at least 40 hours of citizenship instruction over a 9 to 12 week class cycle with managed enrollment to students at the National Reporting System (NRS) low beginning to advanced ESL levels (NRS Levels 2-6);

a.) Students who pre-test at the NRS literacy level (1) are not eligible to participate in grant-funded classes;

b.) Additional information about NRS levels is available on the National Reporting System for Adult Education website; and c.) Tutoring services do not count toward the minimum 40 hours of classroom instruction.

6.) Qualified Instructors: Qualified citizenship instructors who have degrees in education (K-12 Social Studies, English Language Arts, History, Linguistics, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), or Adult Education) or who have at least one year of experience as the lead teacher in a class for adult immigrants. Although not a requirement, programs whose instructors have the following education, certification, and/or experience are generally more likely to be scored higher than programs that do not:

a.) Hold a degree in TESOL;

b.) Hold TESOL certification from a state licensing agency; or c.) Have a minimum of two years of experience in TESOL instruction in a classroom setting for an adult education program that utilizes a textbook and a structured curriculum.

7.) Integration Activities: The intent of this requirement is to encourage students to extend knowledge acquisition beyond traditional classroom instruction through opportunities to experience and navigate American civic life firsthand through in-depth learning activities. Applicants are encouraged to draw upon their local resources, venues, and landmarks when conceptualizing and designing these civic integration learning activities. Suggested categories for the required integration activities include but are not limited to:

a.) Site-based civic integration activities: Local trips outside the classroom to sites and landmarks of historical and/or cultural significance, libraries, museums, other local public entities, and organizations that promote public safety, etc.;

b.) Classroom-based civic integration activities: Activities that may involve guest speakers such as local civic leaders, public servants, or program alumni to provide the opportunity for student interaction and exchange, or the use of multimedia and/or materials-based methods that promote an enhanced understanding of key moments in U.S. history and/or the form and function of local, state, and federal government;

c.) Civic participation: Activities that encourage students to take participatory learning beyond the classroom by attending a public meeting, volunteering, or participating in local civic institutions; and d.) Other integration activities: Activities that promote in-depth understanding of the student’s role as a future citizen of the United States, including the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; our shared American history; government https://nrsweb.org/about-us https://nrsweb.org/about-us https://nrsweb.org/ https://nrsweb.org/ functions, structure, and laws; geography; and traditions, symbols, and holidays. These can be external or in-class.

8.) Service Delivery: Applicants are encouraged to primarily provide in-person instruction. However, applicants may propose to supplement in-person classes with virtual classes if it allows them to extend the reach of their services.

Additionally, applicants should be prepared to pivot to virtual or hybrid instruction if public health restrictions limit in-person gatherings.

For more detailed information on the content and competencies that applicants are required to address in grant-funded classes, please review the USCIS Guide to Creating an Adult Citizenship Education Curriculum and the Adult Citizenship Education Sample Curriculum for a High Beginning ESL Level Course.

b. Naturalization Application Services, within the scope of the authorized practice of immigration law, to support LPRs in the naturalization application and interview process. Grant recipients are encouraged to use and promote the use of MyUSCIS for filing Forms N-400. Programs must include:

1.) Qualified Legal Service Providers:

A qualified legal service provider includes one of the following:

a.) A U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative serving a

DOJ Recognized Organization. Partial accreditation is permitted; or b.) An attorney who is an employee of the applicant or the proposed subrecipient organization.

1.) Attorneys working under this grant must have training in immigration law and be able to provide legal representation to clients.

2.) Hours charged to the grant should be in alignment with the goals of the application.

3.) Pro bono or volunteer attorneys may be used to supplement the program but may not:

i. Serve as the applicant’s sole provider of immigration legal services;

or

ii. Serve as a supervisor to staff members who provide naturalization application services but who are not qualified legal service providers.

The organization must demonstrate an established process to refer individuals with complex immigration matters beyond the scope of the services provided under this grant to a qualified attorney.

2.) Eligibility Screenings must include an assessment of each program participant’s:

a.) Ability to meet the educational requirements of naturalization; and b.) Ability to meet other legal requirements of naturalization.

For more information, see the USCIS Naturalization Eligibility Worksheet.

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-1189.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/M-1189.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/curriculum-development/OoC_Sample-Curriculum-for-High-Beginning_V4.pdf https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/curriculum-development/OoC_Sample-Curriculum-for-High-Beginning_V4.pdf https://my.uscis.gov/ https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/learn-about-citizenship/naturalization-eligibility

3.) Case Management must include:

a.) The preparation and submission of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization;3 b.) The preparation and submission of Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative;4 c.) Filing other related forms or documents (such as Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions and Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver);

d.) Interview preparation;

e.) A representative’s appearance at the naturalization interview when applicable5; and f.) Responding to any Requests for Evidence (RFEs) when applicable.

4.) Service Delivery: Organizations should plan to provide in-person naturalization application services. However, should public health restrictions limit the ability of applicants to offer in-person services, they should have a plan in place to pivot to virtual or hybrid naturalization application services.

3. Other Eligibility Restrictions For-profit law firms and attorneys in private practice are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity (See the Glossary in Appendix B for the definitions of “representation” and “employee”).

Applicants may apply to multiple funding opportunities, with exceptions noted below. USCIS reserves the right to only fund one award.

Current recipients and subrecipients under the FY 2022 Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services funding opportunity (DHS-22-CIS-010-002) are not eligible to apply. Similarly, nor are awardees under the Community and Regional Integration Network Grant Program (DHS-22-CIS-010-003).

Subrecipients to DHS-22-CIS-010-01 (Regional Hub Grants) are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity. Regional Hub subrecipients may not separately apply as the

3 Grant recipients are strongly encouraged to file forms electronically whenever possible. In the case that e-filing is not a viable option, the grantee’s legal service provider is required to mail the naturalization application package to USCIS on behalf of the client. Applications may not be given to the client to mail.

4 At grant-supported group processing events, a Form G-28 may not be required if the pro bono attorney filling out the Form N-400 determines that the services provided would not be considered “practice” or “preparation”, as those terms are defined in 8 C.F.R.CFR 1.2. Such pro bono attorneys, however, will be required to complete the preparer section of the Form N- 400.

5 Under the USCIS grant program, legal representatives are not required to attend all naturalization interviews. However, it is recommended that legal representatives attend interviews of clients who have a higher need for in-person representation.

principal applicant under any of the FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Programs, as subrecipients are potentially eligible for the Regional Hub grant based on their demonstrated need for capacity building and support developing or expanding citizenship education services.

Any applicant that does not possess the mandatory required minimum of one year experience in the past three years with both citizenship instruction and naturalization application services (independently or in partnership with a qualified potential subrecipient), is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

Any applicant that does not propose offering both required services – citizenship instruction and naturalization application services (independently or in partnership with a qualified potential subrecipient), in accordance with the above-described programmatic requirements is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

Any applicant that does not propose to achieve the minimum performance goals outlined in section A.10 of the funding opportunity announcement is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

Any application that does not include all forms listed as required on the Applicant Checklist, located in Appendix B, is not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

If DHS determines at any point during the review process that an application does not meet these eligibility requirements, the application will be removed from further consideration.

Non-Responsive Applications An application will be deemed non-responsive and will be removed from further consideration if:

a. Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance is missing.

b. Form SF-424A – Budget is missing.

c. Form SF-424B – Assurances – Non-Construction Programs is missing.

d. The applicant’s Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) is not registered in

SAM.

e. The application does not include a Budget Narrative and Budget Table.

f. The application does not include a Project Narrative.

4. Cost Share or Match

There is a minimum cost share requirement for this program of 10% of the total requested funding amount. Applicants should clearly identify which budget items are to be supported by federal grant funding and which are to be supported by in-kind contributions and/or other funding sources, along with an estimate of the value of these non-federal funding sources. All proposed cost share contributions must be clearly described in the budget portion of the proposal. Applicants will be scored on this during the technical review.

Acceptable forms of cost share items include:

• Volunteer services: Rates for volunteer services must be consistent with those paid for similar work.

• Employee time: Employee’s regular rate of pay.

• Supplies: Fair market value of the supplies at the time of donation.

• Cash contributions: Cash value.

• Equipment, building, or land: Fair market value or rental value at the time of application, as established by an independent appraisal.

• Project co-funding: Actual cost incurred.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Key Dates and Times

a. Application Start Date: 06/09/2023

b. Application Submission Deadline: 07/28/2023 at 11:59PM EST

All applications must be received by the established deadline.

c. Anticipated Award Date: No later than 09/30/2023

NOTE: The application must be received in Grants.gov by the date and time listed above.

If an application is received after the deadline, it will not be considered. Applicants will receive a confirmation from Grants.gov once the application is successfully submitted.

All applications are time stamped by the Grants.gov system when submitted and recipients are notified accordingly. The federal office will download all applications that are received by the deadline date and time as indicated on the NOFO. Late applications will not be accepted.

d. Other Key Dates

2. Agreeing to Terms and Conditions of the Award

By submitting an application, applicants agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO and the terms and conditions of the award, should they receive an award.

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion Initial Registration at SAM.gov (includes UEI issuance) Four weeks before actual submission deadline

Obtaining UEI Number Four weeks before actual submission deadline Obtaining a valid EIN Four weeks before actual submission deadline Updating SAM registration Four weeks before actual submission deadline Starting application in Grants.gov One week before actual submission deadline

3. Address to Request Application Package

Application forms and instructions are available at Grants.gov. To access these materials, go to https://www.grants.gov/ and select “Applicants” then “Apply for Grants.” To obtain the application package, select “Download a Grant Application Package.” Enter the Assistance Listing and/or funding opportunity number located on the cover of this NOFO, select “Download Package,” and then follow the prompts to download the application package.

For a hard copy of the full NOFO, please write or fax a request to:

Jacqueline Greely Grants Officer CISMailbox@hq.dhs.gov Fax: 202-447-5600

If you use assistive technology and are unable to access any materials on Grants.gov, please email the Support Center at support@grants.gov.

Applications will be processed through the Grants.gov portal. If you experience difficulties accessing information or have any questions, please call 1-800-518-4726.

4. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant, unless they have a valid exception under 2 CFR 25.110, must:

a. Be registered in Sam.Gov before application submission.

b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application.

c. Continue to always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during the

Federal Award process.

5. Steps Required to Submit an Application, Unique Entity Identifier, and System for Award

Management (SAM)

To apply for an award under this program, all applicants must:

a. Have an account with https://login.gov/;

b. Register for, update, or verify their SAM account and ensure the account and EIN are active before submitting the application;

c. Create a Grants.gov account;

d. Add a profile to a Grants.gov account;

e. Establish an Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) in Grants.gov;

f. Submit application in Grants.gov; and

g. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information, including information on a recipient’s immediate and highest-level owner and subsidiaries, as well on all predecessors that have been awarded a federal contract or grant within the last three years, if applicable, at all times during which it has an active federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a federal awarding agency.

https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://login.gov/

Applicants are advised that DHS may not make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. Therefore, an applicant’s SAM registration must be active not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period and when DHS is ready to make a federal award. Further, as noted above, an applicant’s or recipient’s SAM registration must remain active for the duration of an active federal award. If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, DHS may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant.

6. Electronic Delivery

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS encourages or requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov, depending on the funding opportunity. For this funding opportunity, DHS requires applicants to submit applications through Grants.gov.

7. How to Register to Apply through Grants.gov

Instructions: Registering in Grants.gov is a multi-step process. Read the instructions below about registering to apply for DHS funds. Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process.

Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information.

The registration process can take up to four weeks to complete. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required application submission deadlines.

Organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number with an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and Grants.gov account to apply for grants. If individual applicants are eligible to apply for this grant funding opportunity, then you may begin with step 3, Create a Grants.gov account, listed below.

Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, but UEI and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an organization’s registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact the entity’s ability to meet required application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

a. Register with SAM: All organizations applying online through Grants.gov must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). Failure to register with SAM will prevent your organization from applying through Grants.gov. SAM registration must be renewed annually.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html

For more detailed instructions for registering with SAM, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html.

b. Create a Grants.gov Account: The next step is to register an account with Grants.gov.

Follow the on-screen instructions or refer to the detailed instructions here:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

c. Add a Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant) or an individual applicant. If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all of your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI Number for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

d. Ebiz POC Authorized Profile Roles: After you register with Grants.gov and create an

Organization Applicant Profile, the applicant’s request for Grants.gov roles and access is sent to the Ebiz POC. The Ebiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which may include the AOR role, thereby giving you permission to complete and submit applications on behalf of the organization. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have been assigned the AOR role.

For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

e. Track Role Status: To track your role request, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html.

f. Electronic Signature: When applications are submitted through Grants.gov, the name of the organization applicant with the AOR role that submitted the application is inserted into the signature line of the application, serving as the electronic signature. The Ebiz POC must authorize people who are able to make legally binding commitments on behalf of the organization as a user with the AOR role; this step is often missed, and it is crucial for valid and timely submissions.

8. How to Submit an Application to DHS via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where members of a grant team may simultaneously access and edit different webforms within an application. For each NOFO, you can create individual instances of a Workspace.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-with-sam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/track-role-status.html

Below is an overview of applying on Grants.gov. For access to complete instructions on how to apply for opportunities using Workspace, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html.

a. Create a Workspace: Creating a workspace allows you to complete it online and route it through your organization for review before submitting.

b. Complete a Workspace: Add participants to the workspace to work on the application together, complete all the required forms online or by downloading PDF versions, and check for errors before submission. The Workspace progress bar will display the state of your application process as you apply. As you apply using Workspace, you may click the blue question mark icon near the upper-right corner of each page to access context-sensitive help.

c. Adobe Reader: If you decide not to apply by filling out webforms you can download individual PDF forms in Workspace. The individual PDF forms can be downloaded and saved to your local device storage, network drive(s), or external drives, then accessed through Adobe Reader.

NOTE: Visit the Adobe Software Compatibility page on Grants.gov to download the appropriate version of the software at: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html.

d. Mandatory Fields in Forms: In the forms, you will note fields marked with an asterisk and a different background color. These fields are mandatory fields that must be completed to successfully submit your application.

e. Complete SF-424 Fields First: The forms are designed to fill in common required fields across other forms, such as the applicant’s name, address, and UEI number. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed, the information will transfer to the other forms.

f. Submit a Workspace: An application may be submitted through workspace by clicking the Sign and Submit button on the Manage Workspace page, under the Forms tab. Grants.gov recommends submitting your application package at least 24-48 hours prior to the close date to provide you with time to correct any potential technical issues that may disrupt the application submission.

g. Track a Workspace Submission: After successfully submitting a workspace application, a Grants.gov Tracking Number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) is automatically assigned to the application. The number will be listed on the Confirmation page that is generated after submission. Using the tracking number, access the Track My Application page under the Applicants tab or the Details tab in the submitted workspace.

For additional training resources, including video tutorials, refer to:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Applicant Support: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1- 800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to the specific grant opportunity, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant to which you are applying.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist DHS with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

9. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Online Submission. All applications must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern time on the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number (GRANTXXXXXXXX) from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application.

This applicant with the AOR role will also receive the official date/time stamp and Grants.gov Tracking number in an email serving as proof of their timely submission.

When DHS successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, and acknowledges the download of submissions, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt of the application to the email address of the applicant with the AOR role who submitted the application. Again, proof of timely submission shall be the official date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by

DHS.

Applicants using slow internet, such as dial-up connections, should be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Again, Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission in the form of an email sent to the applicant with the AOR role attempting to submit the application. The Grants.gov Support Center reports that some applicants end the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application.

10. Content and Form of Application Submission

See Appendices A and B for a list of required documents for this application, forms, and formats. No pre-applications or letters of intent are required to apply.

As discussed in the eligibility section of this NOFO, current awardees and sub-awardees under the FY 2022 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (funding opportunities DHS-22-CIS- 010-002 and DHS-22-CIS-010-003) are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity. Additionally, proposed subrecipients to DHS-23-CIS-010-01 (Regional Hub Grants) are not eligible to receive funding under this funding opportunity.

mailto:support@grants.gov

11. Other Submission Requirements

DHS is participating in the Grants.gov initiative to provide the grant community with a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. DHS requires applicants to submit their applications online through Grants.gov. Applications that are not submitted through Grants.gov by the deadline will not be considered.

12. Funding Restrictions Grant funds may not be used for the following purposes:

a. Cost-sharing or matching funds for other federal grants, lobbying, or intervention in federal regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings. In addition, federal funds may not be used to sue the federal government or any other government entity.

b. USCIS application fees.

c. Costs of organized fundraising, including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and bequests, and similar expenses incurred solely to raise capital or obtain contributions.

d. Profit/Fee is not allowable except when subcontracting for routine goods and services with commercial organizations.

e. Foreign travel.

f. Construction costs and purchase of real property under this funding opportunity.

g. Pre-award costs.

h. Funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development.

i. Costs for food or refreshments.

j. Incentive items or gift cards.

k. General volunteer stipends.

l. Living allowances for any national volunteer service program participants.

m. Fees for conferences that are not considered training events.

13. Allowable Costs

a. DHS grant funds may only be used for the purposes set forth in the agreement and must be consistent with the statutory authority for the award. Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:

1.) Providing services to qualified LPRs only, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

2.) Resources to support citizenship instruction, including staff salaries, textbooks/materials, nationally normed standardized assessment tests, software, etc.

3.) Professional development and training for staff and/or volunteers related to the provision of citizenship instruction and/or naturalization application services.

4.) Facility rental costs not to exceed more than 20% of the total approved budget.

5.) Resources to support naturalization application services including staff salaries, case management systems, costs associated with DOJ recognition of organizations and accreditation (or renewal) of staff. This includes training costs related to DOJ recognition and accreditation.

6.) Transportation costs for students attending grant-funded classes.

a. Transportation funds provided to students must match the student’s individual transportation costs.

b. Applicants must have a system to track how transportation funds are used.

7.) Reimbursement of transportation costs for volunteers participating in grant-funded activities. Volunteers may not receive a general transportation stipend.

a. Transportation funds provided to volunteers must match the volunteers’ individual transportation costs.

b. Applicants must have a system to track how transportation funds are used.

8.) Childcare costs to assist eligible participants to attend grant-funded classes.

9.) Travel costs for two staff members to attend a mandatory two-day grant recipient training in the Washington. D.C. area during the first year of the grant, and costs for one teacher or coordinator to attend a USCIS teacher training (or another professional development training with approval from USCIS) during the second year of the grant.

10.) Equipment purchases directly related to the provision of services.

11.) Costs associated with the use of computers for citizenship instruction (e.g., computer equipment, internet access, electronic tablets, etc.).

b. Management and Administration (M&A) Costs

Management and Administration Costs are allowable for the grantee and any proposed sub-awardee (if applicable). For more information on allowable costs, please see Funding Restrictions (above).

c. Indirect Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs Indirect Costs (IDC) are allowable by the recipient and subrecipients as described in 2 C.F.R.

Part 200, including 2 C.F.R. § 200.414. Applicants with a current negotiated IDC rate agreement who desire to charge indirect costs to an award must provide a copy of their IDC rate agreement at the time of application. Not all applicants are required to have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement. Applicants that are not required to have a negotiated IDC rate agreement but are required to develop an indirect cost rate proposal must provide a copy of their proposal at the time of application. Applicants who do not have a current negotiated IDC rate agreement (including a provisional rate) and wish to charge the de minimis rate must reach out to the Program Office and the Grants Office for further instructions.

E. Application Review Information

1. Application Evaluation Criteria

a. Programmatic Criteria

DHS will use the following criteria to evaluate applications deemed eligible and responsive. Applicants can receive up to 100 points.

1) Capacity and Need to Provide Comprehensive Citizenship Instruction (15 Points)

The extent to which the applicant demonstrates:

• Experience providing citizenship instruction (a minimum of 1 year of experience within the past 3 years is required) (5 points);

• Experience providing ESL instruction (for a minimum of 1 year experience within the past 3 years is required) (5 points); and

• The need for citizenship instruction within the immigrant community that the applicant serves (5 points).

2) Quality of the Proposed Citizenship Instruction Program (30 points)

The extent to which the applicant proposes a high-quality citizenship instruction program to meet the citizenship education needs of the community, including:

• Attainable citizenship instruction program goals (2 points);

• Detailed outreach, orientation, intake, and student retention plans (4 points);

• Plans to use a nationally normed standardized ESL assessment test for pre and post testing of citizenship students (4 points);

• Well-developed and appropriate curriculum and class structure, including the use of managed enrollment, integration activities, and textbooks for all students (10 points); and

• Qualified and experienced instructors (as described in the project narrative requirements) (10 points)6.

3) Capacity and Need to Provide Comprehensive Naturalization Application

Services (15 points) The extent to which the applicant demonstrates:

• Recent experience preparing and filing Forms N-400 and G-28 for qualified

LPRs within the authorized practice of immigration law7 (10 points); and

• The need for naturalization application services within the immigrant community that the applicant serves (5 points).

4) Quality of the Proposed Naturalization Application Services Program (30 points) The extent to which the applicant proposes a high-quality naturalization application services program, including:

• Attainable naturalization application services program goals (4 points);

• Detailed outreach and intake plans (4 points);

6 Please see USCIS’ Professional Development Guide for Adult Citizenship Educators for competencies USCIS would expect qualified and experienced personnel to demonstrate in the citizenship instruction classroom. Programs whose instructors 1) hold a degree in TESOL; and/r 2) hold TESOL certifications from a state licensing agency; and/or 3) have a minimum of two years of experience in TESOL instruction in a classroom setting for a program that utilizes a textbook and a structured curriculum are more likely to receive funding.

7 DHS requires that all applicants demonstrate experience providing naturalization application services within the authorized practice of immigration law.