From 2001 through 2007, the U.S. Congress has directed the U.S. Department of State to support and implement the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).  The AFCP permits U.S. Ambassadors in less developed countries to submit proposals for one-time or recurring projects that assist other countries in preserving their cultural heritage.  Grants typically range from US$15,000 to US$30,000 and higher, which can usually sustain a project for 12-18 months.

Proposals may include preservation projects directed at:

1. CULTURAL SITE OR SITES. This might include (but is not limited to):
   
   • Preservation of an archaeological or historical site, sacred place or monument
   • An archaeological survey as a component of a preservation plan
   • Preservation management planning for a site or sites in a region
   • Documentation of a site or sites in a region for preservation purposes
2. AN OBJECT OR COLLECTION OF OBJECTS from a site, a museum or similar institution. This might include (but is not limited to):
   
   • Conservation of an object or collection of objects
   • Inventory of a collection of objects for conservation purposes
   • Creating suitable space and conditions for a collection of object
   Specialized training in the care and preservation of collections
3. FORMS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSION This might include (but is not limited to):
   
   • Documenting traditional music or dance forms
   • Compiling a dictionary of an endangered language
   • Documenting storytelling as part of traditional expression, e.g. folklore, traditional poetry
   • Support for training in the preservation of traditional arts or crafts that are threatened by extinction

The deadline for 2007 has passed. Please check back for next years program announcement.

For more information contact:

Magda Magradze
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy
11 George Balanchine Street
Tbilisi, Georgia 0131
Phone: (995 32) 27-71-48
Fax: (995 32) 53-23-19
http://georgia.usembassy.gov