AFCP 2025 Cable - Revised.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2025 Grants Program (DEADLINES: Round 1: 1/31/2025; Round 2: 4/30/2025)

Action Office: ALDACS, PAS

Info Office:

MRN: 24 STATE 115276 Reply

Date/DTG: Oct 31, 2024 / 311830Z OCT 24

From: SECSTATE WASHDC

Action: ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE Routine

E.O: 13526

TAGS: OEXC, SCUL, KPAO

Subject: U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2025 Grants Program (DEADLINES: Round 1: 1/31/2025; Round 2: 4/30/2025)

1. Summary: The Cultural Heritage Center (CHC) in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is pleased to announce the start of the 2025 grants cycle for the U.S.

Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). The application process involves two rounds. In Round 1, the CHC will collect project ideas from eligible embassies in the form of concept notes, due January 31, 2025. In Round 2, the CHC will invite embassies with promising ideas to submit full project applications, due April 30, 2025. Full implementation of the AFCP 2025 Grants Program is subject to the availability of Fiscal Year 2025 funds. End Summary.

2. AFCP Program Background: The State Department established the AFCP in 2001 at the request of Congress. At the time, the Senate noted that preserving cultural heritage offers an opportunity to showcase a different aspect of America—one that is non-commercial, non-political, and non-military. AFCP projects support U.S. foreign policy and public diplomacy (PD) goals and are highly valued by local leaders and communities, even in nations where bilateral relations may be limited. They can contribute to the development of civil society, promote cultural diversity and good governance, create economic opportunity, and help foster political stability.

3. Competition Format: Embassies may propose up to three priority-ranked projects per country for funding. The selection process involves two rounds. In Round 1, embassies must submit concept notes that focus on the PD goals they aim to achieve with their proposed projects. Those invited to Round 2 will submit a full application, including technical details of the project. Depending on available funds, awards will range from $25,000 to $500,000. The CHC expects to fund 25 to 35 projects.

4. Funding Priorities: In FY 2025, ECA will prioritize projects that do one or more of the following:

a) Directly support U.S. treaty or bilateral agreement obligations.

b) Directly support U.S. policies, strategies, and objectives as stated in the National Security Strategy, Integrated Country Strategy, or other U.S. government planning documents.

c) Directly support host country or community goals beyond preserving cultural heritage.

d) Support risk reduction and resilience for cultural heritage in disaster-prone or politically unstable and economically disadvantaged areas.

e) Support post-disaster cultural heritage recovery.

f) Complement other ECA or PD programs.

Additionally, ECA will prioritize projects in countries that have not previously received an AFCP award.

5. Sites and Objects Having a Religious Connection: The Establishment Clause of the U.S.

Constitution permits the government to include religious objects and sites within an aid program under certain conditions. For example, an item with a religious connection (including a place of worship) may be the subject of a cultural preservation grant if the item derives its primary significance from and is nominated solely based on architectural, artistic, historical, or other cultural (not religious) criteria. ECA encourages embassies considering preservation projects with a religious connection to contact the AFCP Program Team prior to a

Round 1 submission (see para 10 for contact information).

6. Important Deadlines: Round 1 concept notes must be submitted using the CHC Programs app by Friday, January 31, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST. Round 2 full applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT. See the attached AFCP 2025 Application Guide for instructions on how to submit concept notes and full applications.

7. Award Announcement: ECA will announce the results of the AFCP 2025 Grants Program via cable when application review and selection are complete and the State Department’s FY 2025 funding levels are established. Annual program results are typically announced in July, and embassies are required to obligate

AFCP project funds during the current fiscal year, i.e., no later than September 30, 2025.

ECA will send a second cable describing the process for executing AFCP awards.

8. AFCP 2025 Application Guide: For additional information on country eligibility, program funding areas, eligible project implementers, project design assistance, concept note and application requirements, ineligible activities, unallowable costs, and the application review process, see the attached AFCP 2025

Application Guide. The guide is also available online via GO Browser and GO Virtual at https://usdos.sharepoint.com/sites/ECA-Home/Policy/CHC/AFCP.

9. Disclaimers: Notification of this funding opportunity does not guarantee an award from the AFCP program or the U.S. government. The CHC reserves the right to waive program formalities and to adjust project scopes and budgets based on program needs and available funds.

10. Agency Contact: Please direct inquiries to the AFCP Program Team, Cultural Heritage Center, at afcp@state.gov

Attachment:

AFCP 2025 Application Guide