The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2025 Grants Program, administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, supports projects to preserve cultural heritage around the world. This includes historic buildings, archaeological sites, museum collections, and traditional cultural expressions, such as indigenous languages and crafts. The program seeks to advance cultural preservation efforts while fostering mutual understanding between the United States and partner countries.

The AFCP program funds projects that align with specific activities, such as conservation, documentation, stabilization, restoration, inventory, and preventive conservation of cultural heritage. Successful projects address urgent preservation needs and demonstrate clear goals, deliverables, and outcomes. Activities like historical research, new construction, or the preservation of natural heritage are not eligible for funding. The program encourages applications that engage local communities, educational institutions, and government agencies in cultural preservation efforts.

The program offers awards ranging from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $500,000. The total anticipated funding is $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, with an expected 25 to 35 awards. Projects may span a performance period of 12 to 60 months and must begin no earlier than September 1, 2025. The specific application deadline is determined by each U.S. embassy, and applicants are encouraged to contact their local U.S. embassy for further guidance and deadlines. All applications must be submitted via email to the respective embassy.

Eligible applicants include foreign-based non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, foreign public entities, and U.S. and foreign institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations. All applicants must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Individuals and private entities are not eligible. Cost-sharing is not required, though applicants must track and report any external funding committed to the project.

The application process occurs in two rounds. In round one, applicants submit a two-page concept note summarizing the project goals, activities, and costs, along with up to five visual attachments demonstrating the cultural heritage's condition and need for preservation. Selected applicants advance to round two, where they submit a full application. The full proposal must include an expanded project description, a detailed budget and budget narrative, a public outreach plan, and supporting documentation, such as resumes of key personnel, letters of support, and relevant conservation or preservation studies.

Applications will be evaluated based on merit review criteria, including clarity of project activities and timelines, historical and cultural significance, maintenance plans, public outreach strategies, and budget feasibility. The review process includes both U.S. embassy and Washington-based panels. Successful projects will demonstrate clear pathways to achieving preservation goals, long-term sustainability, and strong engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Award recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including submission of interim and final program and financial reports. Recipients are encouraged to share project results and data with the public and the Department of State. For further details, applicants should consult their respective U.S. embassies and the AFCP program guidelines available through the Department of State’s official channels.