The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2025 Grants Program, administered by the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, supports projects that preserve cultural heritage. Concept notes for this program are due by January 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Bangladesh Standard Time. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full project proposals shortly after this deadline. AFCP awards, ranging from $25,000 to $500,000, cover projects lasting between 12 and 60 months. These grants support the preservation of cultural sites, historic buildings, museum collections, and traditional cultural expressions, such as languages and crafts.

Eligible activities include anastylosis (reassembling sites from original parts), conservation, consolidation, documentation, preventive conservation, restoration, and stabilization. The program also supports projects for archaeological sites, historic monuments, museum collections, and forms of traditional expression. Projects must focus on the cultural significance of the sites or objects rather than religious aspects if applicable, ensuring that their primary value is architectural, artistic, or historical.

Organizations eligible to apply include foreign and U.S. institutions of higher education, NGOs, public entities, public international organizations, and government institutions. All applicant organizations must be registered with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from SAM.gov. Commercial entities, private property projects, and projects focused on natural heritage, human remains, or modern adaptations are not eligible for funding.

The application process consists of two rounds. For Round 1, applicants must submit a two-page concept note detailing the project's basics, such as the implementer’s name, a project title, project location, cost estimate, and a summary of project activities and intended outcomes. Visual or audiovisual documentation (up to five high-quality images or videos) demonstrating the current condition of the heritage site or object is also required. If invited to Round 2, applicants will submit a full proposal that includes an expanded project description, budget, maintenance plan, and public outreach plan, as well as resumes for key personnel, letters of support from partners, and proof of permissions or relevant documents.

The AFCP does not mandate cost-sharing for this grant, though applicants who include cost-sharing must track and report these funds. Final submissions of Round 2 applications will undergo a comprehensive review based on alignment with program objectives, funding areas, and application requirements. Notifications for selected projects will be made after the review process in early 2025.

For additional guidance or submission of concept notes, applicants may contact the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka at DhakaGrants@state.gov. Further information on the AFCP program is available on the U.S. Department of State’s website.