FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING) | CI CET 23 003

Opportunity Information: Apply for CI CET 23 003

The FY 2023 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through USCIS, with the Office of Citizenship and Partner Engagement (OCPE) playing a central role. The program is designed to strengthen civic integration by expanding access to high-quality citizenship preparation and related integration supports for immigrants. USCIS frames naturalization as a major milestone in an immigrant's full participation in civic life, because the process requires learning English and studying U.S. history and government, which in turn helps build practical knowledge about democratic participation, community engagement, and the responsibilities that come with U.S. citizenship.

CARING is a specific funding track within the broader Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, focused on organizations that provide extended civic integration services to vulnerable immigrant populations. The emphasis on "extended" services signals that the work is meant to go beyond basic, short-term orientation and instead support longer-term integration pathways that help immigrants navigate life in the United States and prepare for citizenship when eligible. At the same time, the opportunity is explicit that these services should build upon, but not duplicate, refugee resettlement services that are funded separately by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In practice, that means applicants should position their work as complementary to resettlement programs, filling gaps and offering civic integration programming that supports stability, connection to community resources, and sustained progress toward naturalization and civic participation.

The grant aligns with key federal priorities on integration and inclusion, including Executive Order 14012 (Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans) and DHS strategic goals for fiscal years 2020 to 2024. It also supports DHS and USCIS missions by promoting lawful pathways to citizenship through education on rights and responsibilities and by providing accurate information and application support for naturalization, while staying within the authorized practice of immigration law. This is an important compliance point: services can include information and support related to applying for naturalization, but they must be delivered in accordance with legal rules governing immigration legal services and representation.

Historically, the broader Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has a long track record. Since 2009, it has awarded more than $132 million through 579 competitive grants to immigrant-serving organizations operating across 39 states and Washington, DC. Over its 15-year lifespan, the program reports helping more than 300,000 immigrants prepare for citizenship. CARING continues this legacy but targets a subset of integration needs, particularly for vulnerable populations that may face barriers such as limited English proficiency, limited access to services, trauma, poverty, geographic isolation, or other challenges that make sustained civic integration support especially valuable.

From a funding and competition standpoint, the opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number CI CET 23 003 under CFDA 97.010, with a community development activity focus. The award ceiling is $300,000 per award, and the opportunity anticipated making about 3 awards, indicating a relatively small and competitive pool of grants. The posting was created on June 9, 2023, and the original application deadline was July 28, 2023.

Eligibility is broad and includes many common public and nonprofit entities that serve immigrants. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). This range suggests DHS is open to funding both direct service providers and public or educational institutions that can coordinate regional networks, deliver integration programming, or convene partners to reach vulnerable communities effectively.

Overall, CARING is best understood as a targeted investment in civic integration infrastructure: it supports organizations that can provide sustained, high-quality integration services that help vulnerable immigrants build knowledge, skills, and community connections, while also supporting lawful and informed progression toward naturalization for those who are eligible. The program is structured to expand service availability nationwide, strengthen inclusion and integration outcomes, and ensure immigrants have meaningful opportunities to understand and participate in American civic life.

• 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: Community and Regional Integration Network Grant (CARING)" 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 3 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, Private institutions of higher education.

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