2025 CPAIG - Application format guidance.docx

2024 CPAIG PROJECT APPLICATION FORM

ROUND 1 - CPAIG Concept Note (Project proposal)

A. Project Basics:

· Title

· CPAIG funding area (see NOFO)

· Time Frame (# months)

· If part of an inscribed World Heritage Site, the name of the World Heritage Site

· Ownership status of the object or site (Public or Private)

· If a continuation or expansion of a project previously supported by CPAIG, the title of the previous project and the award year

· Amount in USD estimated for the project proposal

B. Project Applicant Information:

· Organization name

· Organization type (see Appendix)

· Address information

· Name, title, and contact info of project director

C. Project Location:

· Project site

· City or vicinity

· Country

· Brief description of location

· Project designation

D. Scope of Work (Carefully review the funding areas and funding priorities supported by CPAIG grants, as well as ineligible activities and unallowable costs not supported by CPAIG grants) including both Cultural Property Agreement goals and activities for achieving them and any broader host country or community goals and activities for achieving them.

· Scope of Work No. 1: Summarize the project's cultural property protection activities and goals (1,000 characters max)

· Scope of Work No. 2: Summarize any related host country or community goals (1,000 characters max)

· Rationale for CPAIG Support No. 1: Describe how the project relates to specific ICS goals, existing cultural property MOUs or Joint Action Plans, emergency import restrictions, or other U.S. foreign policy objectives (1,000 characters maximum)

· Rationale for CPAIG Support No. 2: Briefly describe the projected public diplomacy benefits of the project (1,000 characters max) E. Project Participant Information (estimated):

· Number of primary (key) project participants (directors, managers, key consultants and experts, etc.;)

· Number of US participants (if any)

· Short Bios (one paragraph each) for key project participants F. Statement of Importance highlighting the historical, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural heritage. (Please refer to Funding Areas section in the NOFO.) (500 characters max)

G. Statement of Urgency indicating the severity of the situation and explaining why the project must take place now. (500 characters max)

H. Attachments and other supporting documents, such as:

Max of ten (10) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site, object, or form of expression and, in the case of a site or object, show the urgency or need for the proposed project (collapsing wall, water damage, worn fabric, broken handle, etc.)

NOTE: All documents should be sent via e-mail to CultureandEducationTirana@state.gov in the following formats:

1. Application Form – word document (Calibri, 11pt)

2. Attachments and Other Supporting Documents – individual JPEG, high resolution photos or audiovisuals (do not include photos or videos in the application word document form)

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MERGE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS IN ONE FILE; DO NOT SEND THE APPLICATION VIA WETRANSFER OR GOOGLE DOCUMENTS. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE OR ACCESS THOSE APPLICATIONS. HOWEVER, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO SEND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE APPLICATION PACKAGE IN TWO OR THREE EMAILS PENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE DOCUMENT.

ROUND 2 (Round 2 is applicable for proposals selected from Round 1 only)

A. Project Basics (with required updates):

1. Title

2. CPAIG focus area and category (see NOFO)

3. Start and end dates

4. If part of an inscribed World Heritage Site, the name of the World Heritage Site

5. Ownership status of the object or site (Public or Private)

6. If a continuation or expansion of a project previously supported by CPAIG, the title of the previous project and the award year

B. Project Applicant Information:

1. Organization name

2. Organization type (see Appendix)

3. Address information

4. Name, title, and contact info of project director

C. Project Activities Description and Timeframe that present the project tasks in chronological order and list the major milestones with target dates for achieving them.

D. Statement of Importance highlighting the historical, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural heritage. (Appendix 1.) (500 characters max)

E. Proof of Official Permission to undertake the project from the office, agency, or organization that either owns or is otherwise responsible for the protection of the cultural property.

F. Implementer Public Awareness Plan describing how the implementing partner will build awareness and engage communities and stakeholders. Awareness-building activities typically include social media posts, ribbon cutting events, and news stories. Community and stakeholder engagement activities may include community-led or community-produced workshops, short videos, documentary films, oral histories, storytelling, interpretive exhibits, and educational or enrichment events tailored for specific audiences, such as young people.

G. Maintenance Plan outlining the steps or measures that will be taken to maintain the site, collection, or system in good condition after the CPAIG-supported project is complete.

H. Data and Media Access Plan outlining how the implementing partner will share, as appropriate, data and media generated from the project with the public and the Department of State.

I. Detailed Project Budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2025, 2026, 2027, etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs.

J. Budget Narrative explaining how the costs were estimated (quantity x unit cost, annual salary x percentage of time spent on project, etc.) and any large budget line items. (Appendix 2)

K. Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), including Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A), Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), and, if applicable, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).

L. Relevant Supporting Documentation including, at a minimum and required, five (5) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the cultural property and show the urgency or need for the proposed project.

M. Résumés or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants.

N. Single Audit or recent independent financial audit (if applicable) Note: Audits are required of U.S. organizations that expend over $750,000 in federal funds per fiscal year and of foreign organizations that expend over $750,000 of Department of State funds per fiscal year.

As requested, or as appropriate, additional high-quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the heritage and show the urgency or need for the proposed project.

NOTE: All documents should be sent via e-mail to CultureandEducationTirana@state.gov in the following formats:

· Application Form – word document (Calibri, 11pt)

· Detailed Project Budget and Narrative– Excel Spread Sheet

· Attachments and Other Supporting Documents – individual JPEG, high resolution photos or audiovisuals (do not include photos or videos in the application word document form)

· Resumes or CVs of Project participants – word document (Calibri, 11pt.), individual documents for each key participant

· Proof of Official Permission – Signed scanned document in both languages English and Albanian (PDF version not JPEG)

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MERGE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS IN ONE FILE; DO NOT SEND THE APPLICATION VIA WETRANSFER OR GOOGLE DOCUMENTS. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE OR ACCESS THOSE APPLICATIONS. HOWEVER, YOU MAY CHOOSE TO SEND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE APPLICATION PACKAGE IN TWO OR THREE EMAILS PENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE DOCUMENT.

Appendix 1 - The CPAIG Grants Program supports the following types of activities:

· Training: Build capacity of foreign law enforcement and cultural property managers to protect sites and objects. Examples include country-specific or regional workshops on investigation and interdiction techniques, effective record keeping, the role of the judiciary, increased communication between ministries of culture and law enforcement authorities, and training for cultural property stewards.

· Inventories: Support the creation and maintenance of centralized, digital, and secure inventories of cultural objects or sites to better support resource allocation, aid in recovery in cases of theft, and promote public appreciation for cultural property protection.

· Site Security and Protection: Support practical and sustainable measures to more effectively secure archaeological sites (on land or underwater), museums, libraries, archives, and other collecting institutions against looting, thefts, and vandalism. Examples include development of site security plans, installation of security systems, and training for guards or site stewards.

· Public Education and Outreach for Crime Prevention: Support strategies to prevent looting and trafficking through heightened public awareness and outreach. Examples include educational materials, community engagement and media programs, storytelling, distance learning courses, 3D models, and virtual experiences like games and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).

Successful CPAIG projects shall adhere to international standards for the protection of cultural property and focus on fostering cooperation, building best practices, and engaging communities through one or more of the above activities.

Appendix 2 - Guidelines for Budget Justification

· Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

· Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

· Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

· Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

· Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor. Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

· Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

· Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. (If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.)

· “Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

· Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.