2018 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grant | PA18 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA18 001

The 2018 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Large Grants Program, announced by the U.S. Embassy in Amman (U.S. Mission to Jordan), is a competitive U.S. government grant opportunity that supports large-scale cultural heritage preservation projects. It is designed for major efforts that protect significant archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, and important museum collections, as long as those resources are accessible to the public and protected by law in the host country. This large grants competition is explicitly separate from the AFCP small grants process, and it targets projects that are substantial in both scope and budget, often running across multiple years.

Funding levels for this competition start at a firm minimum (award floor) of USD 200,000. Historically, since 2008, new large-scale AFCP projects have been funded in the approximate range of USD 200,000 to USD 979,000, with an average award around USD 480,000. The program allows past AFCP large-grant recipients to apply again if they are seeking continuation funding, but prior recipients must be fully compliant with earlier grant reporting obligations or their eligibility may be negatively affected.

AFCP Large Grants focus on preservation work that aligns with recognized international cultural heritage preservation standards and that protects the cultural values of a place or collection as understood by relevant stakeholders. Stakeholders can include national or local cultural authorities, local communities, and other parties with a legitimate interest in the site and the project outcomes. Activities that fit the program well include preventive conservation to address threats before damage worsens, stabilization to prevent collapse or major movement, conservation treatments for damaged sites or collections, consolidation to reconnect or strengthen elements, anastylosis to reassemble structures using original parts, and restoration when it is appropriate and justified (most commonly for fine arts, decorative arts, and historic buildings).

For the FY 2018 large grants competition, proposals that clearly advance certain priorities receive additional consideration. These priorities include projects connected to U.S. treaty or bilateral agreement obligations (for example, cultural property protection agreements), disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage in seismically active or disaster-prone areas, post-disaster recovery of cultural heritage, and preservation efforts focused on inscribed World Heritage sites. The announcement also flags a special constitutional consideration for sites or objects with religious connections: religiously associated places or objects may be eligible only when the justification is based on their architectural, artistic, historical, or broader cultural significance rather than religious purpose, consistent with U.S. Establishment Clause constraints.

Eligible applicants are reputable, accountable, non-commercial entities with demonstrated capacity to manage complex, large-scale, and potentially multi-year preservation projects. Examples include NGOs, museums, ministries of culture, and similar institutions, as well as U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3). The program does not fund individuals, commercial entities, or applicants that have failed to meet reporting requirements from previous AFCP awards. Applicants also need to be capable of receiving U.S. government assistance and complying with AFCP policies and federal grant requirements.

The program is strict about what it will not fund, and proposals that include ineligible activities or unallowable costs are deemed ineligible. Key exclusions include preserving or purchasing privately or commercially owned cultural property; natural heritage projects (such as habitats, fossils, and geological formations); preservation of human remains; preservation of news media or widely available published materials; classroom curriculum development; archaeological excavation or survey conducted primarily for research; most forms of historical research unless it is essential to project success; new exhibits or creating/acquiring new collections for museums; new construction or permanent protective coverings; commissioning new commemorative art or architecture; creating or modernizing performances or traditional expressions; replicas or reconstructions of sites/objects that no longer exist; relocating sites; removing objects or site elements from the country; digitization unless it is part of a larger conservation effort; stand-alone plans or studies unless tied to implementation; fundraising costs; contingencies and miscellaneous fees; costs incurred before the award (unless specifically allowable and approved); most international travel unless it is essential; professional development travel; projects under USD 200,000 unless they are continuing previously supported large-grant projects; independent U.S. projects overseas; and creating cash reserves, endowments, or revolving funds (grant funds must be spent within the award period, which can be up to five years).

The application process is two-stage. Round One requires submission of a project abstract by email to AmmanAFCPGrants@state.gov by the close of business (5 p.m.) on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Only applicants whose abstracts receive favorable ratings are invited to submit a full proposal in Round Two. The abstract has a defined format and must include, in order, the project title and location; detailed applicant information (organization type, address, contact details, website, project director information, DUNS number, and SAM registration status); the laws protecting the site; any special designations (such as national monument or World Heritage status); public accessibility details (including admission costs if any); a statement of ownership; a short project summary; an estimated timeframe (generally up to five years); an estimated cost; identification of eligible partners; and a statement of importance emphasizing non-religious cultural values (historic, architectural, artistic, or cultural significance). Round One submissions must also include required federal forms: SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, and, when applicable, SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities).

Round Two proposals are expected to be substantially more detailed and implementation-ready. They must include proof of official permission to carry out the work and endorsement by the host country national cultural authority, a clear chronological description of project activities, a schedule of phases and milestones (with project periods permitted up to 60 months), and resumes or CVs for the project director and key personnel. Applicants must also provide a statement of urgency explaining why the work must happen now, and a sustainability plan describing how the site or collection will be maintained after the grant-supported work ends. Budget requirements are extensive: applicants must submit a detailed line-item budget broken out by one-year budget periods with standard cost categories (personnel, fringe, travel and per diem, equipment, supplies, contractual, other direct costs, indirect costs, and cost sharing) and provide a budget narrative explaining cost estimates. Proposals must also include a media and outreach plan to publicize AFCP-supported activities and at least 10 high-quality images or audiovisual files showing the site or collection and documenting current condition and need. Supporting documentation in English, such as engineering records, conservation assessments, restoration plans, and similar technical materials, is encouraged to demonstrate readiness and feasibility.

Cost sharing is not required at any specific percentage, but it is encouraged. Applicants can propose cost sharing through cash or in-kind contributions, and if cost share is promised, it becomes a binding commitment that must be tracked and reported and may be audited under 2 CFR 200. Project performance periods can extend up to five years, but timing is constrained: projects must begin no earlier than September 30, 2018, and must end no later than September 30, 2023.

Administrative registration requirements are emphasized as a practical barrier that can take time, particularly for non-U.S. applicants. Before submitting a full proposal, applicants must have a DUNS number, an NCAGE code (for non-U.S. entities), and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). These registrations are described as free but potentially time-consuming, so applicants are urged to plan ahead.

Selection is based on alignment with the program’s objectives, eligible preservation activities, FY 2018 priorities, adherence to rules on ineligible activities and costs, and completeness and quality of the application materials. Award recipients must meet reporting and deliverable obligations, including performance progress and financial reports as specified in the Notice of Award. Finally, the notice includes standard federal disclaimers: the announcement does not guarantee funding, and the AFCP/Cultural Heritage Center retains discretion to waive certain formalities and to adjust proposed budgets based on program needs and available funds.

• The U.S. Mission to Jordan in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2018 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grant" 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 2017-11-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-04. (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 $979,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PA18 001

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