Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation

Exchange Programs
A CALL FOR PROPOSALS

United States Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation

In 2001, the Congress of the United States of America established the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (the Ambassador’s Fund) as a tool through which the people of the United States could help less developed countries to preserve their cultural heritage.  Through the Ambassador's Fund, American embassies around the globe are helping eligible countries to preserve historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections, and traditional forms of music, dance, and language. 

 Call for Proposals
The American Embassy is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Ambassador’s Fund.  Successful proposals identify one-time or recurring projects that assist the people of Uganda in preserving their cultural heritage.  Grants typically range from US$10,000-$50,000.  Proposals may include preservation projects directed at:

 A) Cultural Sites—Includes (but not limited to) historic buildings and sites, sacred places, monuments, and archaeological sites; 
 B) Cultural Objects and Collections from a museum, site, or similar institution and includes archaeological and ethnographic objects, paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, photographic and film collections, and general museum conservation activities; and
 C) Forms of Traditional Cultural Expression includes traditional music, rituals, knowledge, languages, dance, drama, and crafts

 Proposal Requirements
A.      Project purpose that briefly explains the project objectives and desired results;
B.      Project activities description that explains how the applicant intends to achieve the project objectives and results, presents proposed tasks in a logical order, and describes how those tasks directly contribute towards achieving the project objectives and results;
C.      Project timeframe or schedule that identifies the major project phases and milestones, with performance target dates for achieving them;
D.     Statement of importance highlighting the historic, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural site, object, collection, or form of traditional expression;
E.      Statement of urgency indicating the severity of the situation and explaining why the project must take place now;
F.     Detailed project budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2012, 2013, 2014, etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs;
G.     Applicant information, including resumes or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants, that demonstrates that the applying entity (ministry of culture, NGO, etc.) has the requisite experience and the capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage;
H.        Proof of official permission to undertake the project and the endorsement and support of the appropriate national authority;
I.      Attachments, including at least three 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 wall, water damage, worn fabric, broken handle, etc).

Selection Process
All completed proposals must be received by the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda no later than December 10, 2011 for consideration under the 2012 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation competition.  Successful candidates will work closely with U.S. Mission Uganda personnel to finalize the application.  Successful applicants will be notified in June 2012.

 Further Information
 For further information regarding the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation or for information on previously funded projects, please refer to the exchanges website.

For questions about or to discuss possible project ideas, contact Shannon Dorsey at 0414-306312 (dorseyds@state.gov) and/or Dorothy Ngalombi, Cultural Affairs Specialist  at 0414-306313.

COMPLETED PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
 The Cultural Affairs  Specialist
U.S. Embassy
Plot 1577, Ggaba Rd.
Nsambya, Kampala
E-Mail: NgalombiDN@state.gov

THE DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS IS
December 10, 2011