Application Deadlines:
Deadline of Submission for Round 1: January 1, 2024
Deadline of Submission for Round 2: April 1, 2024
Federal Award Agency: U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
Announcement Type: Grant Notice
Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-CB-600-24-PAS-0002
Funding Type: Educational and Cultural Exchange (ECE) funds
Funding Instrument Type: Fixed Amount Award
Category Explanation: Cultural Property Protection–
Program Authorization: Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (P.L. 87-256, § 102(b)(5))
Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 19.036 – Cultural Antiquities Task Force
Estimated Total Program Funding: US $500,000
Floor on Amount of Individual Awards: US $10,000 per project
Ceiling on Amount of Individual Awards: US $150,000 per project
Anticipated Number of Awards: 5-10
Anticipated Award Date: September 2024
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State are pleased to announce the fiscal year (FY) 2024 call for proposals for the Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grant Program (CPAIG). The application process involves two rounds: In Round 1, applicant(s) must submit project ideas in the form of concept notes, due January 1, 2024. In Round 2, the embassy will invite applicants with promising ideas to submit full project applications, due April 1, 2024. Full implementation of the CPAIG 2024 Program is pending the availability of Fiscal Year 2024 funds.
CPAIG PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Department of State, in consultation with the interagency Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF), established the CPAIG program in 2020. The program is supported by task force funding and furthers CATF’s anti-trafficking mission by supporting the implementation of cultural property agreements between the United States and foreign governments or emergency import restrictions. Cultural property agreements and emergency import restriction put into practice U.S. obligations under the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, as implemented by U.S. legislation. On December 2, 1999, the United States imposed import restrictions on an emergency basis on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Cambodia. On September 19, 2003, the United States and Cambodia entered into a bilateral agreement that enabled the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological material originating in Cambodia. The agreement was changed and extended in 2008, extended in 2013, changed and extended in 2018, and changed and extended in 2023. Texts of the agreements are available at https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property/current-agreements-and-import-restrictions.
- EFUNDING AREAS
Successful CPAIG projects must adhere to international standards for the protection of cultural property, and focus on fostering cooperation, building best practices, and engaging communities through the following types of activities:
a) 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 property stewards.
b) Capacity Building: Training and capacity building of archeologists, conservators,versators and other heritage professionals.
c) Inventories: Support the creation and maintenance of centralized, digital, and secure inventories of cultural objects or sites to better support resource allocation, aid in recovery in cases of theft, and promote public appreciation for cultural property protection.
d) 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.
e) 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).
FUNDING PRIORITIES
In all cases, projects should address clear needs in Cambodia or region. Special consideration will be given to proposals that connect cultural property protection and heritage themes to other Embassy programming or encourage linkages between government agencies (inter-ministerial initiatives) and between governments and the private sector.
SITES AND OBJECTS HAVING RELIGIOUS CONNECTION
The Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution permits the government to include religious objects and sites within an aid program under certain conditions. For example, an item with a religious connection (including a place of worship) may be the subject of a cultural protection grant if the item derives its primary significance and is nominated solely on the basis of architectural, artistic, historical, or other cultural (not religious) criteria.
ELIGIBLE PROJECT APPLICANTS
The embassy defines eligible project implementers as reputable and accountable non-commercial entities that can demonstrate they have the requisite capacity to manage projects to protect cultural property. Eligible implementers may include non-governmental organizations, museums, educational institutions, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations, including U.S.-based educational institutions and organizations subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. 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.
Potential implementers must be registered and active in the U.S. government’s System for Award Management (SAM) to receive U.S. federal assistance. See paragraph below for information on how to register. The registration process can take several weeks to complete so it is important to avoid any delay. If a project is selected for an award and the registration is not completed, the award could be delayed to the next FY, pending the availability of funding.
a) PROUND 1 CONCEPT NOTE REQUIREMENTS
Each concept note submitted must include:
a) Project Basics, including working title, anticipated project length (Note: Applicants may propose project periods of up to 36 months), location/site, and project cost estimate (amount requested from CPAIG; in U.S. dollars).
b) Project Implementer.
c) Project Scope of Work summarizing (3,000 characters minimum):
- cultural property protection activities and goals
- related host country or community goals (i.e., what they hope to gain from the project beyond protecting cultural property and how these goals will be achieved)
- anticipated strategic outreach activities to build awareness and engage communities and stakeholders.
d) Rationale for CPAIG Support, explaining why it’s in the interests of the U.S. government to fund the project, specifically:
- how the project relates to existing bilateral cultural property agreements or Joint Action Plans, or emergency import restrictions (1,000 characters maximum).
- the projected public diplomacy benefits of the project (1,000 characters maximum).
e) (Optional, but preferred) Five (5) high quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the site or collection and show the urgency or need for the proposed project.
ROUND 2 CONCEPT NOTE REQUIREMENTS
The applications must fully satisfy the program objectives, funding areas and priorities, and eligibility requirements. Furthermore, to be considered complete, they must include:
a) Project Activities Description and Timeframe that present the project tasks in chronological order, list the major milestones with target dates for achieving them.
b) Statement of Importance highlighting the historical, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural property.
c) Proof of Official Permission to undertake the project from the office, agency, or organization that either owns or is otherwise responsible for the preservation and protection of the site or collection.
d) Implementer Public Outreach Plan describing how the implementing partner will build awareness and engage communities and stakeholders. Awareness-building activities typically include social media posts, ribbon cutting events, and news stories. Community and stakeholder engagement activities may include community-led or community-produced workshops, short videos, documentary films, oral histories, storytelling or interpretive exhibits, and educational or enrichment events tailored for specific audiences, such as young people.
e) Maintenance Plan outlining the steps or measures that will be taken to maintain the site, collection, or system in good condition after the CPAIG-supported project is complete.
f) Data and Media Access Plan outlining how the implementing partner will share, as appropriate, data and media generated from the project with the public and the Department of State.
g) If applicable, explain how the proposed project or project staff are linked to other Department of State cultural, educational, or other exchange programs.
h) Résumés or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants.
i) Detailed Project Budget, demarcated in one-year budget periods (2024, 2025, 2026 etc.), that lists all costs in separate categories (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel [including Per Diem], Equipment, Supplies, Contractual, Other Direct Costs, Indirect Costs); indicates funds from other sources; and gives a justification for any anticipated international travel costs.
j) Budget Narrative explaining how the costs were estimated (quantity x unit cost, annual salary x percentage of time spent on project, etc.) and any large budget line items.
k) Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), including Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A), Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), and, if applicable, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL).
l) Relevant Supporting Documentation, such as reports, plans and studies, needs assessments and recommendations, etc., compiled in preparation for the proposed project.
m) As requested by the Embassy or as appropriate, additional high-quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that convey the nature and condition of the cultural property and show the urgency or need for the proposed project.
COST SHARING AND OTHER FORMS OF COST PARTICIPATION
There is no minimum or maximum percentage of cost participation required. When an implementing partner offers cost sharing, it is understood and agreed that the partner must provide the amount of cost sharing as stipulated in the budget of the application and later included in an approved agreement. The implementing partner will be responsible for tracking and reporting on any cost share or outside funding, which is subject to audit per 2 CFR 200. Cost sharing may be in the form of allowable direct or indirect costs.
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES AND UNALLOWABLE COSTS
CPAIG does not support the following activities or costs, and the Center will deem applications requesting CPAIG support for any of these activities or costs ineligible:
a) 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.
b) Construction of new buildings, building additions, or permanent coverings (over archaeological sites, for example).
c) Relocation of cultural sites from one physical location to another.
d) Removal of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reason.
e) Contingency, unforeseen, or miscellaneous costs or fees.
f) Costs of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants Officer.
g) 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.
h) Individual projects costing less than US $10,000 or more than US $150,000.
i) Independent U.S. projects overseas.
j) Repatriation of cultural property from the United States to another country unless part of a larger, clearly defined protection, documentation, or public diplomacy effort.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting a concept note (Round 1) (in English): January 1, 2024
Proposal shall be submitted in both paper and soft copy to:
Public Affairs section (PAS), U.S. Embassy, No. 1, Street 96, Phnom Penh
Subject/Title: Cultural Property Agreement Implementation 2024 Grant Program (Round 1)
Email: PASPhnomPenh@state.gov
Only select project abstract (s), approved by Washington, will be notified, and invited to submit a full proposal (Round 2) by April 1, 2024.
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. The SAM registration process can take weeks or months, especially for non-U.S. applicants. 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/.
The following documents may be helpful as you develop your proposal.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS
Notices of Award for CPAIG projects incorporate terms and conditions subject to OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200): Cost Principles, Audit, and Administrative Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Chapter I, Chapter II, Part 200, et al.). All applicants should familiarize themselves with these requirements. Other requirements and guidance will appear as program-specific provisions or be incorporated by reference in the Notice of Award.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance begins upon the Grants Officer’s signature and the awardee’s countersignature on a Notice of Award. A Notice of Award notifies an award recipient that an award has been made and that funds are available for use during the specified award period. Failure to produce a complete Notice of Award package may result in the nullification of the award.
DISCLAIMER
Notification of this funding opportunity does not constitute an award commitment on the part of the CPAIG program or the U.S. government. The embassy 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.
