Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation

Large Grants Opportunity

Guidelines to Submit Proposals

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

The application process for the AFCP Large Grants Program takes place in two rounds: Project Abstract (Round 1) and Full Proposal (Round 2).

Round 1 is a competition between eligible countries (including Russia) for funding, not an open competition. If, following the technical review, rating, and ranking of abstracts, projects from Russia are invited to advance to Round 2, the Embassy Cultural Office will work with selected applicants to submit full project proposals by the deadlines established by the office of AFCP.

The deadline for Round 1 is December 8, 2019. Please submit all application materials to AFCPRussia@state.gov.

For Round 1, the project abstract must include the following items: 

1. Project Basics, including title, project dates, location, and site.
2. Project Applicant information, including contact information.
3. Special Designations (national monument, World Heritage Site, etc.).
4. Law/s Protecting the Site or Collection (citations only).
5. Project Purpose that summarizes the project objectives and desired results.
6. Statement of Importance highlighting the historic, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the site or collection.
7. Budget breakdown, in brief, into primary expense categories (i.e. personnel, material, equipment, consultation, etc.)

If project is selected, applicants will need to obtain a DUNS Number and SAM registration status and complete an Application for Federal Assistance, including Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, and, if applicable, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.

For Round 2, the project full proposal must include the following items:

1. Revised project abstract, if applicable.
2. Proof of official permission to undertake the project and the full endorsement and support of the national cultural authority in the host country.
3. Project Activities Description that presents the project tasks in chronological order. If the proposed project is part of a larger effort involving multiple projects supported by other entities, the plan must present the full scope of the preservation effort and the place of the proposed project within that larger effort.
4. Project Time Frame or Schedule that lists the major project phases and milestones with target dates for achieving them (NOTE: Applicants may propose project periods of up to 60 months [five years]).
5. Project Participant information, including resumes or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants.
6. Statement of Urgency indicating the severity of the situation and explaining why the project must take place now.
7. Statement of Sustainability outlining the steps or measures that will be taken to maintain the site or collection in good condition after the AFCP-supported project is complete.
8. Detailed Project Budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2017, 2018, 2019, etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, Cost Sharing); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs.
9. Budget Narrative explaining how the costs were estimated (quantity x unit cost, for example) and any unique line items in the budget.
10. Media and Outreach Plan, explaining how the project plans to reach a wider audience, particularly the surrounding community, and raise awareness on the significance of the project through existing print, electronic, and social media platforms.
11. Ten (10) or more high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site or museum collection and show the urgency or need for the proposed project (collapsing walls, extensive water damage, etc.).
12. Relevant supporting documentation, such as historic structure reports, restoration plans and studies, conservation needs assessments and recommendations, architectural and engineering records, etc., compiled in preparation for the proposed project.

Please submit all application materials for Round 1 by December 8, 2019 to AFCPRussia@state.gov.