U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Freedom 250

Closed Posted

Opportunity number
USAFCPFREEDOM250
Agency
Applications due
Award size
$25,000 to $250,000

Opportunity facts

Funding instrument
Cooperative Agreement, Grant
Category
  • Other
Eligible applicants
Not on record

Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs seeks applications for the Freedom 250 special edition of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), which supports the preservation of cultural heritage overseas with emphasis on sites and objects associated with American history, contributions, and values. Eligible applicants include foreign institutions of higher education, foreign-based NGOs, foreign public entities, U.S. institutions of higher education, and U.S. non-profit organizations (IRS Section 501(c)(3)), all of which must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active SAM.gov registration. Priority projects must incorporate technical exchange between American and foreign counterparts and showcase cultural objects or sites associated with notable Americans, American archaeological work, American historical contributions, American scientific innovations, American intellectual influences, American-inspired independence movements, diaspora community heritage, or traditional cultural expressions that influenced American art forms. Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point scale assessing Activities Description (20 points), Cultural Heritage Importance (10 points), Maintenance Plan (5 points), Public Outreach (15 points), Data Access Plan (5 points), Budget and Narrative (10 points), Supporting Materials (10 points), and Embassy Rationale for Support (25 points), with up to 5 bonus points for innovative integration with other State Department programs. The application deadline is April 15, 2026, though applicants should contact the relevant U.S. embassy directly as deadlines vary by location.

Approximately $6 million in FY 2026 Smith-Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds will support 25-35 awards, with individual grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. Proposed projects must be completed within 60 months or less, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2026. Performance locations are limited to over 130 eligible countries where U.S. embassies participate in the AFCP program, spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Western Hemisphere. Applications must be submitted through the U.S. embassy in the country where the cultural heritage project is located.

Synopsis

This Freedom 250 special edition of the AFCP honors the enduring commitment of the United States to freedom, democracy, and unity via cultural heritage stewardship. In the spirit of these values, priority projects should incorporate technical exchange between Americans and foreign counterparts and illuminate the rich historical and cultural ties between the United States and countries around the world. AFCP will prioritize projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:

  1. Cultural objects or sites in other countries associated with, or frequently visited by notable Americans, such as homes, studios, or institutions.
  2. Cultural objects or sites in other countries developed, excavated, or otherwise brought to light by American archaeologists or other heritage professionals.
  3. Cultural objects or sites in other countries associated with American history or American contributions to significant historical events, such as peace agreements, military memorials, and other commemorative sites.
  4. Cultural objects or sites in other countries associated with American innovations and leadership in the sciences, such as laboratories or observatories.
  5. Cultural objects or sites in other countries highlighting the intellectual and philosophical roots of American institutions.
  6. Cultural objects or sites in other countries associated with American-inspired independence movements that showcase the United States as an example for nations striving toward liberty and self-governance.
  7. Forms of traditional cultural expression such as music and dance that heavily influenced American art forms or vice versa.
  8. Historical sites of significance to diaspora communities in the United States.


See the USAFCPFreedom250 PDF on the Related Documents tab for details.


NOTE: Application deadlines vary by U.S. embassy. Contact the U.S. embassy directly for application deadlines.

Files

File Type Posted
USAFCPFreedom250.pdf PDF

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