U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

The U.S. Embassy in Lusaka and the Cultural Heritage Center (“the Center”) of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs are pleased to announce the 2020 call for proposals for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Grants Competition.

The Center is implementing several changes to the program during this cycle. This includes

combining the small and large grant programs into a single program. Pending availability of funds, awards will range from $10,000 to $500,000. To ease the administrative burden on embassies and potential grantees, the Center is dividing the application process into two rounds and reducing the amount of information required up front.

Competition Format:

The deadline for submitting a concept note and supporting budget for Round 1 to the Embassy is November 25, 2020. Completed concept notes for Round 1 must be submitted electronically to LusakaPASGrants@state.gov with 2021 AFCP Competition in the subject line.

Shortlisted applications will be invited to participate in Round 2 of the competition and will be required to submit a full application by March 1, 2021.

AFCP 2021 Application Guide:

Refer to this AFCP 2021 Application Guide for additional

information on country eligibility, program funding areas, project design assistance, concept

note and application requirements, ineligible activities, unallowable costs, and the application

review process. This 2021 Guide is available at https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/ECA/Pages/CulturalHeritageCenter.aspx

Proposal Requirements

Round 1: Concept Note Requirements (Deadline: November 25, 2020):

a.      Project basics, including working title, anticipated project length (in months), location/site, and project cost estimate (amount requested from AFCP; in U.S. dollars);

b.     Project implementer information, including name and SAM registration status;

c.      Project purpose that summarizes the objectives, proposed activities, and desired results

d.     Rationale for AFCP support, explaining;

e.      Why it is in the interests of the U.S. government to fund the project;

f.       How the project relates to Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) goals, existing bilateral agreements, or other U.S. foreign policy objectives;

g.     The projected public diplomacy benefits and impacts of the project;

h.     Whether it contributes to broader host country or community aims or objectives;

i.       Embassy Front Office (FO) clearance;

j.       Five (5) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site, collection, or tradition and show the urgency or need for the proposed project (collapsing walls, water damage, etc.). 

Miscellaneous

• Other