Call for 2021 Proposals for U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation

The U.S. Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana is pleased to announce a call for proposals for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). 

What is the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation?
The Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) supports projects to preserve a wide range of cultural heritage throughout the world, including in Botswana. Since 2001, the U.S. government through the Department of State has provided direct grant support in all regions of the world for the preservation of cultural sites, cultural collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression. This fund opportunity supports projects   to preserve cultural heritage in three areas:

  •  Cultural Sites – includes (but is not limited to) building restoration, archeological surveys, preservation and documentation of historical buildings and sites, sacred places, monuments, and archaeological sites;
  • Cultural Objects and Collections – such as archaeological and ethnographic objects, paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, photographic and film collections and general museum conservation activities. Proposals in this category may involve: Conservation treatment for an object or collection of objects; Needs assessment of a collection; the creation of safe environments for storage or display of collections and specialized training in the care and preservation of collections
  • Forms of Traditional Cultural Expression – such as documentation and support for training in the preservation of traditional music, rituals, knowledge, languages, dance, drama and crafts. 

Who can Apply? Eligible applicants are reputable and accountable non-commercial entities, such as registered non-governmental organizations, museums, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations that have the requisite experience and capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage. Applicants must show proof of support to undertake the project by the national authority mandated to protect monuments or the leadership in the community it will be implemented.AFCP does not award grants to individuals, to commercial entities, to embassies, or to past award recipients who have not fulfilled the requirements of previous AFCP awards.

Deadline: Sunday, November 22, 2020 by midnight, GMT+2.

All submissions must be received electronically.  Hard copy applications will not be accepted. Please email proposals to PASGaborone@state.gov 

Grants may range in cost from $10,000 to $500,000 

Applications will be rated as follows: 

  1. Purpose, Description, and Importance: 25 points max
  2. Urgency: 15 points max
  3. Maintenance Plan: 10 points max
  4. Rationale for U.S. Support: 15 points max
  5. Embassy Media Plan: 10 points max
  6. Budget and Budget Narrative: 15 points max
  7. Supporting Materials: 10 points max

Note: The application submission should not be more than 10 pages total. 

Please send specific inquiries to or register for a virtual information session with Ms. Naomi Tshosa (TshosaNM@state.gov). Virtual information sessions will happen every Monday and Wednesday from October 28 to November 18.