Grants

This page is intended for current grant recipients from the Department of State and those interested in our process and future partnerships with us as a way of assisting you through the federal assistance application process and post-award requirements.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
U.S. EMBASSY HONDURAS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

Annual Program Statement


Funding Opportunity Title:
U.S. Embassy Honduras – PAS Notice of Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-Honduras-FY23-01
Deadline for Applications: January 15, 2023, and March 31, 2023
The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals in two rounds, the first ending January 15, 2023 and the second ending March 31, 2023. Proposals received during round 1 should plan to start
no earlier than March 2023, and proposals received during round 2 should plan to start no earlier than June 2023.
CFDA Number: 19.040 – Public Diplomacy Programs
Minimum for Each Award: $1,000.00
Maximum for Each Award: $35,000.00
Type of Funding: Fiscal Year 2023 Public Diplomacy Funding
Funding Contact: TGGPASGrants@state.gov

THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING.

The Public Affairs Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under such circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the government of the United States.

This funding opportunity may be amended. Potential applicants should regularly check the website to ensure they have the latest information pertaining to this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Embassy Honduras Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations and individuals to submit applications to carry out a program or project through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This is a Notice of Funding Opportunity outlining our funding priorities, strategic themes, and procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Submissions that do not adhere to these instructions will not be considered.

The Public Affairs Section is particularly interested in projects that support creating opportunities that allow Hondurans to build their futures in Honduras.  

Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate the long-term sustainability of the project, in-kind and/or in-cash financial commitments from other funding sources, and impact evaluation components.

PRIORITY PROGRAM AREAS:

PAS Honduras invites proposals that:

  • Support inclusive and sustainable economic growth (priority: projects that revive the economy during and after the global pandemic, improve the business climate, or promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and equitable access to economic opportunities);
  • Promote press freedom and counter disinformation (priority: programs that combat disinformation or promote press freedom, strengthen investigative journalism capacity, and improve transparency);
  • Increase transparency, rule of law, and civic engagement (priority: projects that support anticorruption efforts, facilitate non-partisan democracy or voter education programming, or strengthen civil society);
  • Empower underserved communities and promote respect for human rights (priority: projects that promote equal rights and opportunities for women, LGBTI+ individuals, people with disabilities, indigenous communities, and racial minorities, as well as implement civic education);
  • Improve access to quality education, including English language learning (priority: projects that provide resources and skills in education technology and innovation to reach public school teachers/students, higher education professors/students, young professionals, or communities in key economic growth areas); and/or
  • Develop climate resilience and food and water security (priority: projects that implement civic education on climate change mitigation or facilitate subject matter expert exchanges on agricultural innovation)
  • Build long-term relationships between U.S. and Honduran higher education institutions.   
  • PLEASE NOTE:  All programs must include a clear connection to the United States, such as an American cultural element or participation of an American expert(s), organization(s), or institution(s), in order to promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Examples of programs eligible for funding:

    • Entrepreneurship programs targeting underserved audiences;
    • Creative projects, such as artistic or cultural workshops, that advance one or more of the areas listed above and will have a lasting impact on the participants and/or the community;
    • English language activities that advance priority program areas;
    • Joint U.S. – Honduran virtual conferences or training programs that produce concrete results in priority program areas;
    • Projects that showcase a U.S. model or curriculum to advance priority program areas, and
    • Programs that engage journalists to promote press freedom and counter disinformation.

Programs that are NOT eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • Social welfare projects, acts of charity, or international development projects.
  • Programs that primarily benefit only one or a few businesses or individuals;
  • Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
  • Scientific research that does not include exchange of U.S. and Honduran researchers or students;
  • Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to individual or single party electoral campaigns;
  • Political party activities;
  • Exchange programs with countries other than the U.S. and Honduras;
  • Exchanges focused on children under 16 years of age;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Construction programs;
  • Refreshments as the main purpose of the grant / Alcoholic Beverages;
  • Vehicle Purchases;
  • For-profit endeavors; or
  • Fund-raising campaigns;

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

  • Program Period of Performance: Priority will be given to projects that are completed in one year or less. PAS Honduras may contemplate applications for continuation grants funded under these awards beyond the initial budget period on a non-competitive basis subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the program, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of the U.S. Department of State.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

  1. Eligible Applicants

The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from the U.S. and Honduran:

  • Individuals;
  • Registered nonprofit organizations; and
  • Public and private educational and cultural institutions.

For-profit or commercial entities and government institutions (other than educational and cultural institutions) are not eligible to apply.

  1. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost sharing is not required. However, preference will be given to proposals that include a credible and sustainable cost-sharing component.

  1. Other Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to receive an award, all organizations must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Please see Section D.2 for information on how to obtain these registrations.

Individuals are not required to be registered in SAM.gov.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

  1. Content and Form of Application Submission

Please follow all instructions below carefully. Proposals that do not meet the requirements of this announcement or fail to comply with the content of application guidelines will be ineligible.

Content of Application:
Please ensure that your proposal complies with the following requirements:

  • It clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity;
  • It is in English and its budget is in U.S. dollars;
  • It does not exceed six (6) pages, including budget;
  • It is saved as one (1) PDF document;
  • Pages are letter sized and font is Times New Roman, size 12;
  • Has the Funding Opportunity Number as the email’s subject when proposal is sent.

The following documents are required:

1. Mandatory application forms

  • SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance – organizations) or SF-424-I (Application for Federal Assistance –individuals)
  • SF-424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction programs)
  • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction programs) (note: the SF-424B is only required for individuals)

2. Summary Page: Cover sheet stating the applicant name and organization, proposal date, program title, program period proposed start and end date, and brief purpose of the program.

3. Proposal (6 pages maximum): The proposal should contain sufficient information that anyone not familiar with it would understand exactly what the applicant wants to do.  You may use your own proposal format, but it must include but it must include all the items below.

  • Proposal Summary: Short narrative that outlines the proposed program,   including program objectives and anticipated impact.
  • Introduction to the Organization or Individual applying: A description of past and present operations, showing ability to carry out the program, including information on all previous grants from the U.S. Embassy and/or U.S. government agencies.
  • Problem Statement: Clear, concise and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed and why the proposed program is needed
  • Program Goals and Objectives: The “goals” describe what the program is intended to achieve.  The “objectives” refer to the intermediate accomplishments on the way to the goals. These should be achievable and measurable.
  • Program Activities: Describe the program activities and how they will help achieve the objectives.
  • Program Methods and Design: A description of how the program is expected to work to solve the stated problem and achieve the goal.  Include a logic model as appropriate.
  • Proposed Program Schedule and Timeline: The proposed timeline for the program activities.  Include the dates, times, and locations of planned activities and events.
  • Key Personnel: Names, titles, roles and experience/qualifications of key personnel involved in the program.  What proportion of their time will be used in support of this program?
  • Program Partners: List the names and type of involvement of key partner organizations and sub-awardees.
  • Program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan: This is an important part of successful grants. Throughout the time-frame of the grant, how will the activities be monitored to ensure they are happening in a timely manner, and how will the program be evaluated to make sure it is meeting the goals of the grant?
  • Future Funding or Sustainability: Applicant’s plan for continuing the program beyond the grant period, or the availability of other resources, if applicable..
  1. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

Required Registrations:

All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations.  All are free of charge:

  • www.SAM.gov registration which will generate a UEI
  • NCAGE/CAGE code

Any applicant with an exclusion in the System for Award Management (SAM) is not eligible to apply for an assistance award in accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR, 1986 Comp., p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR, 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.”

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is one of the data elements mandated by Public Law 109-282, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA), for all Federal awards. SAM.gov is the Federal government’s primary database for complying with FFATA reporting requirements. OMB designated SAM.gov as the central repository to facilitate applicant and recipient use of a single public website that consolidates data on all federal financial assistance.  Under the law, it is mandatory to register in SAM.gov.

Starting April 2022, the UEI will be assigned when an organization registers or renews it’s registration in SAM.gov at www.SAM.gov. To access SAM.gov an organization is required to have a Login.gov account. Organization can create an account at https://login.gov/. As a reminder, organizations need to renew its sam.gov registration annually. 

US-based organizations: A CAGE code will be automatically assigned when the U.S. organizations registers in www.sam.gov. CAGE must be renewed every 5 years. Site for CAGE: https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree. Grantees may be asked for more information to finalized and must comply.

Foreign-based organizations: Must apply for a NCAGE code before registering in SAM.gov. Go to: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/CageTool/home to apply for a NCAGE code. NCAGE codes must be renewed every 5 years.

It is in the organization’s best interest to check if their CAGE/or NCAGE codes are active. Organizations are required to register/or renew their CAGE or NCAGE codes prior to registering or renewing www.sam.gov. Both registration and renewals for both CAGE and NCAGE can take up to 10 days. Organization’s legal address in NCAGE/CAGE must mirror www.sam.gov.

www.sam.gov requires all entities to renew their registration once a year in order to maintain an active registration status in SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure it has an active registration in SAM.gov.

If an organization plans to issue a sub-contract or sub-award, those sub-awardees must also have a unique entity identifier (UEI number). Those entities can register for a UEI only at SAM.gov.

If an organization does not have an active registration in SAM.gov prior to submitting an application, the application will be deemed ineligible. All organizations applying for grants (except individuals) must obtain these registrations, the latter are free of charge.

Note: As of April 2022, a DUNS number is no longer required.

Please see the following for additional information and instructions on how to register:

  1. Submission Information
  • The Public Affairs Section will accept proposals in two rounds, the first ending January 15, 2023 and the second ending March 31, 2023.
  • Proposals received during round 1 should plan to start no earlier than March 2023, and proposals received during round 2 should plan to start no earlier than June 2023.

No applications will be accepted after March 31, 2023, for Fiscal Year 2023.

  • Proposals must be submitted via email to the Public Affairs Section at TGGPASGrants@state.gov and must include the Funding Opportunity Number (PAS-Honduras-FY23-01) in the email’s subject line. Only proposals sent to this email address will be considered.  Applicants will be contacted via email once funding decisions are made.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

  1. Criteria

Each application will be evaluated and rated on the basis of the evaluation criteria outlined below. The criteria listed are closely related and are considered as a whole in judging the overall quality of an application. Reasons for non-selection and any rankings of projects by the review panel will not be shared.

Embassy priorities: Applicant has clearly described how stated goals are related to and support U.S. Embassy Honduras’ priorities, outlined in section A of this document.

Program Planning/Ability to Achieve Objectives: Goals and objectives are clearly stated and program approach is likely to provide maximum impact in achieving the proposed results.

Organizational capacity and record on previous grants: The organization has expertise in its stated field and PAS Honduras is confident of its ability to undertake the program. This includes a financial management system and a bank account.

Quality and Feasibility of the Program Idea: The program idea is well developed, with detail about the program activities proposed and how they will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline.

Budget: The budget justification is detailed. Costs are reasonable in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated results. The budget is realistic, accounting for all necessary expenses to achieve proposed activities.

Monitoring and Evaluation plan: Applicant demonstrates ability to measure program success against key indicators and provide milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured.

Sustainability: Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. Applicant addresses potential sustainability of the program once U.S. Embassy funding has ended.

Support of Equity and Underserved Communities: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

  1. Review and Selection Process

A Grants Review Panel will review and evaluate all eligible applications.

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

a) Federal Award Notices

The grant award or cooperative agreement will be written, signed, awarded, and administered by the Grants Officer. The assistance award agreement is the authorizing document and it will be provided to the recipient for review and signature by email. The recipient may only start incurring program expenses beginning on the start date shown on the grant award document signed by the Grants Officer. No actions or costs can be incurred before the grant is approved and signed by the Grants Officer. 

If a proposal is selected for funding, the Department of State has no obligation to provide any additional future funding. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the discretion of the Department of State.

Payment Method: Payments will be made through an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) upon receipt of the SF270 (Request for Advance of Reimbursement), available at Grants.gov. Once the SF270 is received, our Financial Office begins the transfer process and funds are disbursed within the next two to three weeks. Timeframe is subject to change.

b) Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Before submitting an application, applicants should review all the terms and conditions and required certifications which will apply to this award, to ensure that they will be able to comply.

These include:

Please note the U.S. flag branding and marking requirements in the Standard Terms and Conditions.

In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the Department of State will review and consider applications for funding, as applicable to specific programs, pursuant to this notice of funding opportunity in accordance with the following:  NOTE:

Guidance for Grants and Agreements in Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR), as updated in the Federal Register’s 85 FR 49506 on August 13, 2020, particularly on:

  • Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR part 200.205),
  • Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. No. 115—232) (2 CFR part 200.216),
  • Promoting the freedom of speech and religious liberty in alignment with Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty (E.O. 13798) and Improving Free Inquiry, Transparency, and Accountability at Colleges and Universities (E.O. 13864) (§§ 200.300, 200.303, 200.339, and 200.341),
  • Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR part 200.322), and
  • Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law, if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR part 200.340).

In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, proposals should demonstrate how the program advances equity with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, income, geography, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. The proposal should also demonstrate how the program will further engagement in underserved communities and with individuals from underserved communities. Proposals should demonstrate how addressing racial equity and underserved communities will enhance the program’s goals and objectives, as well as the experience of participants.

The support of underserved communities will be part of the review criteria for this opportunity. Therefore, proposals should clearly demonstrate how the program will support and advance equity and engage underserved communities in program administration, design, and implementation.

c) Reporting

Reporting Requirements: Recipients will be required to submit financial reports (SF425 – Federal Financial Report), available at Grants.gov, and program reports (Performance Narrative Report Guidance). The award document will specify how often these reports must be submitted.

The disbursement of funds may be tied to submission of these reports in a timely manner.

Failure to comply with the reporting requirements may jeopardize eligibility for future awards or will result in suspension of any future payments under the award granted until grantee compliance.

Applicants should be aware of the post award reporting requirements reflected in 2 CFR 200 Appendix XII—Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters.

Foreign Assistance Data Review: As required by Congress, the Department of State must make progress in its efforts to improve tracking and reporting of foreign assistance data through the Foreign Assistance Data Review (FADR). The FADR requires tracking of foreign assistance activity data from budgeting, planning, and allocation through obligation and disbursement. Successful applicants will be required to report and draw down federal funding based on the appropriate FADR Data Elements, indicated within their award documentation. In cases of more than one FADR Data Element, typically program or sector and/or regions or country, the successful applicant will be required to maintain separate accounting records.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

If you have any questions about the grant application process, please contact PAS Honduras at: TGGPASGrants@state.gov.

Please Note: We do not provide any pre-consultation for application-related questions that are addressed in this document. Once an application has been submitted, State Department officials and staff may not discuss this competition with applicants until the entire proposal review process is completed.

H. OTHER INFORMATION

Guidelines for Budget Justification

Personnel and Fringe Benefits: Describe the wages, salaries, and benefits of temporary or permanent staff who will be working directly for the applicant on the program, and the percentage of their time that will be spent on the program.

Travel: Estimate the costs of travel and per diem for this program, for program staff, consultants or speakers, and participants/beneficiaries. If the program involves international travel, include a brief statement of justification for that travel.

Equipment: Describe any machinery, furniture, or other personal property that is required for the program, which has a useful life of more than one year (or a life longer than the duration of the program), and costs at least $5,000 per unit.

Supplies: List and describe all the items and materials, including any computer devices, that are needed for the program. If an item costs more than $5,000 per unit, then put it in the budget under Equipment.

Contractual: Describe goods and services that the applicant plans to acquire through a contract with a vendor.  Also describe any sub-awards to non-profit partners that will help carry out the program activities.

Other Direct Costs: Describe other costs directly associated with the program, which do not fit in the other categories. For example, shipping costs for materials and equipment or applicable taxes. All “Other” or “Miscellaneous” expenses must be itemized and explained.

Indirect Costs: These are costs that cannot be linked directly to the program activities, such as overhead costs needed to help keep the organization operating. If your organization has a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (NICRA) and includes NICRA charges in the budget, attach a copy of your latest NICRA. Organizations that have never had a NICRA may request indirect costs of 10% of the modified total direct costs as defined in 2 CFR 200.68.

“Cost Sharing” refers to contributions from the organization or other entities other than the U.S. Embassy. It also includes in-kind contributions such as volunteers’ time and donated venues.

Alcoholic Beverages: Please note that award funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages.

Thank you for your interest in the U.S. Embassy Honduras Public Affairs Section Small Grants Program. 

Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants 2024
Deadline to submit Concept Notes (in English) – January 7, 2024

 

The Cultural Heritage Center (the Center) in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State is accepting applications on behalf of the Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF) for FY 2024 Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants. U.S. embassies in countries with bilateral cultural property agreement or where emergency import restrictions are in effect can submit applications for projects to protect cultural property from looting, theft, and trafficking. The projects must foster cooperation, build best practices, and engage communities.

The application process will proceed in two rounds. During the first round, the embassy will collect project ideas in the form of Concept Notes. During the second round, those that submitted promising concept notes will be asked to submit complete project applications.

The deadline to submit a Concept Note to the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa is January 7, 2024 via email – tggafcp@state.gov.

 

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS: This competition is organized through U.S. embassies in the 30 countries with which the United States has a signed bilateral cultural property agreement or where emergency import restrictions on archaeological and ethnological material are in effect under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq). Honduras is eligible.

 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Projects must contribute to the implementation of provisions in the emergency determinations or the cultural property agreements between the United States and Honduras. Texts of the agreements are available on the Cultural Heritage Website: https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property/current-agreements-and-import-restrictions. In all cases, projects should address clear needs in the country or region, and support U.S. foreign policy objectives.

AWARD INFORMATION

Award amounts: $10,000 to $150,000

Length of performance period: 12 to 36 months

Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost sharing is not required but may be a positive indicator of partner buy-in, whether through financial or in-kind support. Application budgets should include any applicable cost sharing information.

This notice is subject to availability of Fiscal Year 2024 funds.

 

FUNDING PRIORITIES: Applications for projects that foster cooperation, build best practices, and engage communities through the following types of activities will be considered:

1. TRAINING: Build capacity of foreign law enforcement and cultural property managers to protect sites and objects. Examples include country-specific or regional workshops on investigation and interdiction techniques, effective record keeping, the role of the judiciary, increased communication between ministries of culture and law enforcement authorities, and training for cultural heritage stewards.

2. INVENTORIES: Support the creation and/or maintenance of centralized, digital, and secure inventories of cultural objects and/or sites to better support resource allocation, aid in recovery in cases of theft, and promote public appreciation for cultural property protection.

3. SITE SECURITY AND PROTECTION: Support practical and sustainable measures to more effectively secure archaeological sites (on land or underwater), museums, libraries, archives, and other collecting institutions against looting, thefts, and vandalism. Examples include development of site security plans, installation of security systems, and training for guards and/or site stewards.

4. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH FOR CRIME PREVENTION: Support strategies to prevent looting and trafficking through heightened public awareness and outreach. Examples include educational materials, community engagement and media programs, storytelling, distance learning courses, 3D models, and virtual experiences like games and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR).

Successful CPAIG projects shall adhere to international standards for the protection of cultural property and focus on fostering cooperation, building best practices, and engaging communities through one or more of the above activities.

 

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS:

CPAIG does not support the following activities or costs, and applications involving any of the activities or costs below will be deemed ineligible:

  • Protection or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural objects, collections, or real property, including those whose transfer from private or commercial to public ownership is envisioned, planned, or in process but not complete at the time of application.
  • Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example).
  • Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another.
  • Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason.
  • Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees.
  • Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer.
  • International travel, except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project or to provide project leaders with learning and exchange opportunities with cultural property experts.
  • Individual projects costing less than US $10,000 or more than US $150,000.
  • Independent U.S. projects overseas.
  • Repatriation of cultural property from the United States to another country unless part of a larger, clearly defined protection, documentation, or public diplomacy effort.

ELIGIBLE PROJECT IMPLEMENTERS: Reputable and accountable entities that can demonstrate that they have the requisite capacity and permission to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage in Honduras. Eligible entities are:

  • Foreign Institution of Higher Education
  • Foreign-based non-profit organizations / non-government organizations (NGO)
  • Foreign Public Entity, where permitted
  • U.S. Non-Profit Organization (IRC section 501(c)(3))
  • U.S. Institution of Higher Education

The CPAIG will not award grants to individuals, commercial entities, or past award recipients that have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous awards.

Registration in the U.S. government’s System for Award Management – SAM.gov is NOT required to submit a Concept Note.

If a Concept Note project is selected for an award, the implementing partner must be registered in U.S. government’s System for Award Management – SAM.gov before receiving U.S. federal assistance, unless they comply with one of the exceptions specified in the Federal Awards Directive. SAM is the U.S. government’s official and free database for registration. SAM.gov collects, validates, stores and publishes information to support federal agency’s acquisition and grants missions.

Registration in SAM requires a CAGE code for U.S. entities, or an NCAGE code for non-U.S. entities. The CAGE or NCAGE process can take weeks or months, especially for non-U.S. applicants. Non-U.S. applicants can request an NCAGE code here – https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

SAM will automatically assign a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to any entity registering or renewing registration in the system. SAM registration is free. Visit https://sam.gov/

 

DISCLAIMER:

Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the CAPIG program or the U.S. government. The Department of State reserves the right to waive program formalities and to reduce, revise, or increase project scopes and budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

 

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

To apply, eligible project applicants must submit a concept note to the Public Affairs Section by January 7, 2024. Applications must comply with the concept note guidelines which can be found here. Please consult the guidelines and the additional CPAIG resources while preparing the concept note for submission. Each concept note must be in English and should be emailed to tggafcp@state.gov with the subject line: “CPAIG 2024 – Project Name – Applicant Name” by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Inquiries – tggafcp@state.gov

Resources:

Additional Resources:

 

The U.S. Embassy in Honduras and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce the 2024 open call for proposals for the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Grants Program Funding Opportunity.

Deadline to submit Concept Notes (in English) – January 7, 2024

The purpose of this program is to support projects that aim to protect and preserve cultural patrimony around the world. Under the AFCP 2024 Grants Program, funding for projects range from US$10,000 to US$500,000 per project. Projects need to be carried out from 12 up to 60 months.

The application process will proceed in two rounds. During the first round, the embassy will collect project ideas in the form of Concept Notes. During the second round, those that submitted promising concept notes will be asked to submit complete project applications.

The deadline for submitting concept notes IN ENGLISH to the Public Affairs Section at tggafcp@state.gov is January 7, 2024.

 

Background: Established by Congress in 2001, the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation aims to assist countries, Honduras included, in preserving historic buildings, archaeological sites, manuscripts, museum collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression such as indigenous languages and crafts. Since its inception, the program has supported more than 1,000 projects worldwide.

To date, Honduras has been the recipient of 13 grants covering a broad range of vital cultural preservation projects throughout the country:

  • Conservation of the 6th-Century Rosalila Temple at the Maya Site of Copan
  • Conservation of the 18th-Century Main Altarpiece at Comayagua Cathedral
  • Conservation of the Mid-17th Century Altarpiece of the Holy Sacrament at Comayagua Cathedral
  • Conservation of the 18th-century Altarpiece of the Virgin of the Rosary at Comayagua Cathedral
  • Conservation of 18th-Century Ethnographic Objects in the Collection of the Comayagua Cathedral
  • Preservation of Cultural Patrimony in Comayagua and Santa Rosa de Copan
  • Development of Cerro Palenque: The North Coast-Santa Barbara Cultural Circuit
  • Documentation and Preservation of Archaeological and Historical Sites Along the North Coast and Sula Valley of Honduras
  • Preservation of the Archaeological Site of Curruste
  • Protection and Development of the Rock Art Cultural Itinerary of Honduras
  • The Voice and Image of the Indigenous and Garifuna People of Honduras
  • Educating Tawahka Teachers
  • The Garifuna: Rescuing Cultural Roots through Language Protection

Funding Opportunities:

The AFCP 2024 Grants Program supports the preservation of archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, museum collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression, such as indigenous languages and crafts.  Appropriate project activities may include:

  • Anastylosis (reassembling a site from its original parts)
  • Conservation (addressing damage or deterioration to an object or site)
  • Consolidation (connecting or reconnecting elements of an object or site)
  • Documentation (recording in analog or digital format the condition and salient features of an object, site, or tradition)
  • Inventory (listing of objects, sites, or traditions by location, feature, age, or other unifying characteristic or state)
  • Preventive Conservation (addressing conditions that threaten or damage a site, object, collection, or tradition)
  • Restoration (replacing missing elements to recreate the original appearance of an object or site, usually appropriate only with fine arts, decorative arts, and historic buildings)
  • Stabilization (reducing the physical disturbance of an object or site)

Funding Restrictions:

AFCP does not support the following activities or costs, and applications involving any of the activities or costs below will be deemed ineligible:

  • Preservation or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural objects, collections, or real property, including those whose transfer from private or commercial to public ownership is envisioned, planned, or in process but not complete at the time of application.
  • Preservation of natural heritage (physical, biological, and geological formations, paleontological collections, habitats of threatened species of animals and plants, fossils, etc.) unless the natural heritage has a cultural heritage connection or dimension.
  • Preservation of hominid or human remains.
  • Preservation of news media (newspapers, newsreels, radio, and TV programs, etc.).
  • Preservation of published materials available elsewhere (books, periodicals, etc.).
  • Development of curricula or educational materials for classroom use.
  • Archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys for research purposes.
  • Historical research, except in cases where the research is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project.
  • Acquisition or creation of new exhibits, objects, or collections for new or existing museums.
  • Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example).
  • Commissions of new works of art or architecture for commemorative or economic development purposes.
  • Creation of new or the modern adaptation of existing traditional dances, songs, chants, musical compositions, plays, or other performances.
  • Creation of replicas or conjectural reconstructions of cultural objects or sites that no longer exist.
  • Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another.
  • Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason.
  • Digitization of cultural objects or collections, unless part of a larger, clearly defined conservation, documentation, or public diplomacy effort.
  • Conservation plans or other studies, unless they are one component of a larger project to implement the results of those studies.
  • Cash reserves, endowments, or revolving funds (funds must be expended within the award period [up to five years] and may not be used to create an endowment or revolving fund).
  • Costs of fund-raising campaigns.
  • Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees.
  • Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer.
  • International travel, except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed project or to provide project leaders with learning and exchange opportunities with cultural heritage experts.
  • Individual projects costing less than US $10,000 or more than $500,000.
  • Independent U.S. and foreign projects overseas that do not have a local partner or a pre-existing formal agreement with the national cultural authority in the specified country to conduct cultural heritage preservation activities.

Eligibility:

Eligible project applicants are reputable and accountable non-commercial entities that are registered and active in SAM.gov and able to demonstrate that they have the requisite experience and capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage.  This may include non-governmental organizations, museums, educational institutions, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations, including U.S. institutions of higher education and U.S.-based organizations subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code.  Past AFCP award recipients may submit applications for continuation funds under this opportunity.  The AFCP will not award grants to individuals, commercial entities, or past award recipients that have not fulfilled the objectives or reporting requirements of previous awards.

SAM Registration:

An implementing partner must be registered in the U.S. government’s System for Award Management (SAM) prior to receiving U.S, federal assistance unless they meet one of the exemptions specified in the Federal Assistance Directive. SAM is the official, free online registration database for the U.S. government. SAM.gov collects, validates, stores, and disseminates data in support of federal agency acquisition and grant award mission.

The SAM registration process, which requires either a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (for U.S. organizations) or a NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code (for non-U.S. organizations), can take weeks or months, especially for non-U.S. applicants. Non-U.S. based applicants may request a NCAGE code at: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/AC135Public/scage/CageList.aspx

SAM will assign a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) automatically to any entity registering or renewing its record in the system. Registration in SAM is free: https://sam.gov/.

Disclaimer:

Issuance of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the AFCP program or the U.S. government. The Department of State reserves the right to waive program formalities and to reduce, revise, or increase project scopes and budgets in accordance with the needs of the program and the availability of funds.

Submission Requirements:

To apply, eligible project applicants must submit a concept note to the Public Affairs Section by January 7, 2024. Applications must comply with the Concept Note guidelines which can be found here. Please consult the guidelines and the additional AFCP resources while preparing the concept note for submission. Each concept note must be in English and should be emailed to tggafcp@state.gov with the subject line: “AFCP 2024 GRANTS Program: Project Name – Applicant Name” by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2024.

For additional information about the fund, please contact the Public Affairs Section at tggafcp@state.gov or visit the AFCP website http://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/ambassadors-fund-cultural-preservation.

Recursos (en inglés):

Recursos e Información Adicionales (en inglés):