Opportunity Information: Apply for AFCP 2019 S

The AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition is a U.S. Department of State program, administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, that provides financial support for projects focused on preserving cultural heritage in developing countries. The opportunity is offered under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 19.025 and is structured as discretionary funding, with awards made either as grants or as cooperative agreements depending on the level of federal involvement required during the project. In practical terms, the program is designed to fund hands-on preservation work that protects tangible and intangible heritage that might otherwise be at risk due to deterioration, environmental threats, neglect, looting, conflict, or insufficient conservation capacity.

The core purpose of the competition is to support preservation in three broad areas: cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression. Cultural sites can include historically significant buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, religious architecture, and other heritage locations where conservation work is needed. Cultural objects and collections generally refer to movable heritage such as museum objects, archival materials, manuscripts, textiles, artworks, ethnographic collections, and similar items requiring conservation, stabilization, improved storage, or documentation. Traditional cultural expression focuses on living heritage, such as indigenous and community-based practices, oral traditions, performing arts, craft techniques, and other expressions of cultural identity that can be documented, safeguarded, and transmitted to future generations through well-designed preservation activities.

Funding under this competition can be substantial for a small grants program, with an award ceiling of up to USD 200,000 per project. The Department of State anticipated making around 30 awards, suggesting a competitive process with a limited number of funded projects relative to potential demand. Because the opportunity supports preservation work in developing countries, applicants typically propose projects that will be implemented abroad in partnership with local institutions or communities, and that demonstrate clear cultural significance, feasibility, and a credible plan for conservation outcomes.

Eligibility for the competition is broad and includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions in that category). The listing also includes an "Others" category, indicating that additional applicant types may be eligible as described in the application package or supplemental eligibility guidance. In many State Department cultural programs, proposals are often strengthened by strong local partnerships, host-country support, and demonstrated technical expertise in conservation or heritage management, even when the applicant organization is U.S.-based.

The funding opportunity was posted on November 9, 2018, with an original closing date of December 8, 2018. However, the notice also emphasizes that specific submission deadlines can vary by country and that applicants should contact the relevant U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section to confirm the correct deadline and country-specific procedures. That detail matters because AFCP competitions commonly involve an initial screening or endorsement process at the embassy level before final review, and embassies may set earlier internal deadlines to manage review and coordination.

Overall, AFCP 2019 Small Grants is best understood as a targeted heritage preservation funding stream intended to deliver concrete preservation results, improve stewardship of important cultural resources, and help sustain cultural identity and historical record in developing countries. The official application package is referenced as the authoritative source for full project scope, allowable activities and costs, documentation requirements, and review criteria, and applicants are expected to rely on those materials and embassy guidance to ensure compliance and alignment with program priorities.

  • The Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.025.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Nov 09, 2018.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 08, 2018 Contact U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Sections for specific country deadlines.. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition (CFDA 19.025) - FAQs

What is the AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition?

The AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition is a U.S. Department of State program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that provides financial support for projects focused on preserving cultural heritage in developing countries.

What does AFCP funding support?

The program supports hands-on preservation work that protects tangible and intangible cultural heritage that may be at risk from deterioration, environmental threats, neglect, looting, conflict, or limited conservation capacity.

Which federal listing and funding type applies to this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 19.025 and is discretionary funding.

Are awards made as grants or cooperative agreements?

Awards may be made either as grants or as cooperative agreements, depending on the level of federal involvement required during the project.

What are the main project categories AFCP is looking to fund?

The competition supports preservation projects in three broad areas: (1) cultural sites, (2) cultural objects and collections, and (3) traditional cultural expression.

What counts as a "cultural site" under this program?

Cultural sites can include historically significant buildings, monuments, archaeological sites, religious architecture, and other heritage locations where conservation work is needed.

What counts as "cultural objects and collections"?

Cultural objects and collections generally include movable heritage such as museum objects, archival materials, manuscripts, textiles, artworks, ethnographic collections, and similar items that require conservation, stabilization, improved storage, or documentation.

What is meant by "traditional cultural expression"?

Traditional cultural expression refers to living heritage such as indigenous and community-based practices, oral traditions, performing arts, craft techniques, and other expressions of cultural identity that can be documented, safeguarded, and transmitted to future generations through preservation activities.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is up to USD 200,000 per project.

How many awards were anticipated?

The Department of State anticipated making around 30 awards.

Is this considered a competitive program?

Yes. With a limited number of anticipated awards (around 30), the competition is expected to be competitive relative to potential demand.

Where are projects expected to be implemented?

Because the program focuses on preserving cultural heritage in developing countries, applicants typically propose projects that will be implemented abroad, often in partnership with local institutions or communities.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding higher education institutions under that nonprofit category).

What does the "Others" eligibility category mean?

The listing includes an "Others" category, indicating that additional applicant types may be eligible as described in the application package or any supplemental eligibility guidance.

Do applicants need to be U.S.-based?

The eligibility description explicitly includes U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and also includes public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity also notes that projects are commonly implemented abroad with local partners.

Are local partnerships important for AFCP proposals?

Proposals are often strengthened by strong local partnerships, host-country support, and demonstrated technical expertise in conservation or heritage management, especially since projects are typically carried out in developing countries.

What risks or threats is the program trying to address?

The program is designed to protect heritage at risk from deterioration, environmental threats, neglect, looting, conflict, or insufficient conservation capacity.

When was the funding opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on November 9, 2018.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed was December 8, 2018.

Can deadlines vary depending on the country?

Yes. The notice emphasizes that specific submission deadlines can vary by country.

Who should applicants contact to confirm the correct deadline?

Applicants should contact the relevant U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section to confirm the correct deadline and country-specific submission procedures.

Why might an embassy have an earlier internal deadline?

The notice indicates that AFCP competitions commonly involve an initial screening or endorsement process at the embassy level, and embassies may set earlier internal deadlines to manage review and coordination.

What is the overall goal of the AFCP 2019 Small Grants program?

The program is intended to deliver concrete preservation results, improve stewardship of important cultural resources, and help sustain cultural identity and the historical record in developing countries.

Where can applicants find the authoritative requirements, allowable costs, and review criteria?

The official application package is referenced as the authoritative source for full project scope, allowable activities and costs, documentation requirements, and review criteria, and applicants are expected to rely on those materials and embassy guidance for compliance and alignment.

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