(Deadline: November 28, 2018)
Embassy New Delhi and it Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata are accepting project applications for the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2019 Small Grants Competition. The deadline for submitting applications is November 28, 2018. Full implementation of the AFCP 2019 program is pending the availability of FY 2019 funds.
Budget
- Floor on Amount of Individual Grants/Awards: US $10,000 per project.
- Ceiling on Amount of Individual Grants/Awards: $200,000 per project.
Application and Submission Information
Completed project applications will be accepted electronically through NDBox, GrantApplications: Nd_GrantApplications@state.gov.Please note that only the winning applicants will be contacted. Due to the volume of applicants and inquiries, we don`t accept letters of intent, concept papers, or requests for meetings or phone calls prior to application. |
Funding Areas: The AFCP Small Grants Competition supports the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression. Appropriate project activities may include:
A. In the case of cultural sites: conservation of an ancient or historic building, preservation of an archaeological site, or documentation of cultural sites in a region for preservation purposes
B. In the case of cultural objects and collections: conservation treatment for an object or collection of objects from a museum, site, or similar institution—that include, but are not limited to, archaeological and ethnographic objects, paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, and general museum conservation needs; needs assessment of a collection with respect to its condition and strategies for improving its state of conservation; inventory of a collection for conservation and protection purposes; the creation of safe environments for storage or display of collections; or specialized training in the care and preservation of collections
C. In the case of forms of traditional cultural expression: documentation and audiovisual recording of traditional music, indigenous languages and dance forms for broad dissemination as the means of teaching and further preserving them, or support for training in the preservation of traditional applied arts or crafts in danger of extinction
Funding Priorities: Applications for projects that directly support one or more of the following will receive additional consideration in FY 2019:
D. U.S. treaty or bilateral agreement obligations, such as cultural property agreements
E. U.S. Embassy Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) goals
F. Disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage in disaster-prone areas
G. Post-disaster cultural heritage recovery
H. Preservation of inscribed World Heritage sites
Eligible Project Applicants: Eligible project applicants are reputable and accountable non-commercial entities, such as non-governmental organizations, museums, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations, including U.S.-based organizations subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code, that are registered and active in SAM.gov and able to demonstrate that they have the requisite experience and capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage.
Ineligible Activities and Unallowable Costs: AFCP does not support the following activities or costs, and the Embassy will deem applications involving in any of these activities or costs as ineligible:
A. Preservation or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural objects, collections, or real property, including those whose transfer from private or commercial to public ownership is envisioned, planned, or in process but not complete at the time of application
B. Preservation of natural heritage (physical, biological, and geological formations, paleontological collections, habitats of threatened species of animals and plants, fossils, etc.)
C. Preservation of hominid or human remains
D. Preservation of news media (newspapers, newsreels, radio and TV programs, etc.)
E. Preservation of published materials available elsewhere (books, periodicals, etc.)
F. Development of curricula or educational materials for classroom use
G. Archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys for research purposes
H. Historical research, except in cases where the research is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project
I. Acquisition or creation of new exhibits, objects, or collections for new or existing museums
J. Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example)
K. Commissions of new works of art or architecture for commemorative or economic development purposes
L. Creation of new or the modern adaptation of existing traditional dances, songs, chants, musical compositions, plays, or other performances
M. Creation of replicas or conjectural reconstructions of cultural objects or sites that no longer exist
N. Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another
O. Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason
P. Digitization of cultural objects or collections, unless part of a larger, clearly defined conservation or documentation effort
Q. Conservation plans or other studies, unless they are one component of a larger project to implement the results of those studies
R. Cash reserves, endowments, or revolving funds (funds must be expended within the award period [up to five years] and may not be used to create an endowment or revolving fund);
S. Costs of fund-raising campaigns
T. Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees
U. Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer
V. International travel, except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project
W. Travel or study outside the host country for professional development
X. Individual projects costing less than $10,000
Y. Independent U.S. projects overseas
Ineligible Project Applicants: AFCP does not award grants to individuals, commercial entities, or past award recipients that have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous AFCP awards.
Application Requirements: All submitted documents must be in English.
Project applications must include or address the following (Note: The list includes items required by 2 CFR 200 and State Department federal assistance regulations):
A. Full and complete Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), including Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A), Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), Applicant Organizational Information Form, and, if applicable, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
B. Project basics, including title, project dates, and AFCP focus area
C. Project applicant information, including contact information, DUNS Number, and SAM registration status
D. Project location
E. Proof of official permission to undertake the project from the office, agency, or organization that either owns or is otherwise responsible for the preservation and protection of the site, object, or collection
F. Project purpose that summarizes the project objectives and desired results
G. Project activities description that presents the project tasks in chronological order (Note: 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)
H. 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]; projects must begin before September 30, 2019, and be completed no later than September 30, 2024)
I. Project participant information, including resumes or CVs of the proposed project director and other primary project participants
J. Statement of importance highlighting the historic, architectural, artistic, or cultural (nonreligious) values of the site, collection, or form of traditional expression
K. Statement of urgency indicating the severity of the situation and explaining why the project must take place now
L. Statement of sustainability outlining the steps or measures that will be taken to maintain the site, object, or collection in good condition after the AFCP-supported project is complete; or, in the case of forms of traditional cultural expression, to preserve and disseminate the documentation, knowledge, or skills gained from the project
M. Detailed project budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2019, 2020, 2021, etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs
N. Budget narrative explaining how the costs were estimated (quantity x unit cost, annual salary x percentage of time spent on project, etc.) and any large budget line items
O. Attachments and supporting documents including, at a minimum and required, five (5) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site, object, or form of expression and, in the case of a site or object, show the urgency or need for the proposed project (collapsing walls, water damage, worn fabric, broken handle, etc.), any historic structure reports, conservation needs assessments, and other planning documents compiled in preparation for the proposed project
P. Media and outreach plan, describing how it intends to highlight and amplify U.S. government support for AFCP-supported activities through existing print, electronic, and social media platforms
Cost Sharing and Other Forms of Cost Participation: There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost participation required for this competition. When an applicant offers cost sharing, it is understood and agreed that the applicant must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in its application and later included in an approved agreement. The applicant will be responsible for tracking and reporting on any cost share or outside funding, which is subject to audit per 2 CFR 200. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.
DUNS Number and SAM Registration: Applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code, and be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting full applications. It is mandatory for applicants to have a DUNS and SAM.gov registration unless they meet one of the exemptions specified in the Federal Assistance Directive (http://a.m.state.sbu/sites/OPE/FA/SitePages/Policy.aspx). Applicants may acquire DUNs numbers at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNs number request line at 1-866705-5711 or by requesting a number online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Non-U.S. based applicants may request a NCAGE code at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx. SAM is the official, free on-line registration database for the U.S. government. Registration in SAM is free: http://sam.gov
Application Screening Criteria: The applicants will first be screened for technical eligibility based on the objectives, priorities, requirements, ineligible activities, and unallowable costs contained in this funding opportunity. The Embassy and its Washington office may deem applications ineligible if they do not fully adhere to the criteria stated herein.
Application Rating Criteria: All technically eligible applications will be rated using the following point-based system:
A. Purpose and Summary, Description, Time Frame, Importance: 25 points max
B. Urgency: 15 points max
C. Sustainability: 10 points max
D. Rationale for U.S. Support: 15 points max
E. Media and Outreach Plan: 10 points max
F. Budget and Budget Narrative: 15 points max
G. Supporting Materials: 10 points max
Award Announcement: The State Department will announce the results of the AFCP 2019 Small Grants Competition early next year.
