Deadline: 9 December 2019

The U.S. Embassy, Kingston under its “Call for Proposals” is accepting full applications for the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2020 Small Grants Competition.

The projects recommended for funding under this program shall advance U.S. foreign policy goals and show American respect for cultural heritage. Cultural preservation is effective public diplomacy that resonates deeply with opinion leaders and local communities, even in countries where ties may be otherwise limited. AFCP projects strengthen civil society, encourage good governance, and promote political and economic stability around the world.

Funding Areas

The 2020 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:

• 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
• Cultural objects and collections:
  • conservation needs assessments and treatment
  • inventory of a collection for conservation purposes
  • the creation of safe environments for storage or display of collections; or
  • specialized training in the care and preservation of collections.
• 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

Special Note Regarding Sites and Objects that have a Religious Connection: The establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution permits the government to include religious objects and sites within an aid program under certain conditions. For example, an item with a religious connection (including a place of worship) may be the subject of a cultural preservation grant if the item derives its primary significance and is nominated solely based on architectural, artistic, historical, or other cultural (not religious) criteria.

Award Information

• Minimum (“Floor”) Award Amount: $10,000.00
• Maximum (“Ceiling”) Award Amount: $200,000.00

Funding Priorities

Applications for projects that directly support one or more of the following will receive additional consideration in FY 2020:

• U.S. treaty or bilateral agreement obligations, such as cultural property agreements
• U.S. Embassy Integrated Country Strategy (ICS) goals
  • Jamaica as a strong and enduring partner in Advancing American values and interests
  • Safety and Security for U.S. Citizens and for Jamaica
  • Accountable, Transparent and Effective governance in Jamaica
  • U.S. Competitive edge in a robust Jamaican economy
• Disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage in disaster-prone areas
• Post-disaster cultural heritage recovery
• Preservation of inscribed World Heritage sites
• Partner, connect with or feed into other Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs

Eligibility Criteria

• The U.S. Embassy, Kingston through the Public Affairs Section, will accept full applications from those who qualify to receive support from the U.S. government and AFCP grants in accordance with AFCP program policies.
• In addition, to those that can develop and implement their proposed programs in Jamaica. The U.S. Embassy, Kingston and the U.S. Department of State define eligible applicants as 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. These entities must have a DUNS number and SAM registration prior to submission and be able to demonstrate that they have the requisite experience and capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage.
• Individuals and commercial entities are not eligible to receive grant awards. Neither will, past award recipients who have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous AFCP awards be able to receive funding.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via email at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit https://jm.usembassy.gov/grants/