Request for letters of interest
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)

The U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic announces a request for grant proposals for projects related to preservation of the Kyrgyz cultural heritage. 

The AFCP was established in 2001 to help less developed countries preserve their cultural heritage and to demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures.

Proposals may include projects directed at the preservation of:

1) A CULTURAL SITE OR SITES (historic buildings and sites, sacred places, monuments, and archaeological sites).  Proposals in this category may involve, for example, restoration of a historic building, an archaeological survey as a component of a preservation plan, preservation management planning for a site, or documentation of sites in a region for preservation purposes.

2) AN OBJECT OR COLLECTION OF OBJECTS from a museum, site, archive, or similar institution. Proposals in this category may involve, for example, conservation treatment for an object or collection of objects; conservation assessment of a collection, its storage environment, and threats to its safekeeping; inventory of a collection for conservation purposes; the creation of safe environments for storage or
display of collections; or specialized training in the care and preservation of collections.

3) FORMS OF TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSION. Proposals in this category may involve, for example, documenting and audiovisual recording of traditional music, dance forms, or storytelling as part of a traditional expression and making the information and recordings available; or support for training in the preservation of traditional arts or crafts that are threatened by extinction.

Requests may range from $15,000 to $30,000, which can usually sustain a project for 12-18 months.  Applications will be considered from local institutions only; applications from individuals will not be accepted.  Proposals must show importance and urgency of the cultural or sacred site (or sites), object (or collection), or form of expression. All should have a close association with the history and cultural development of Kyrgyzstan and demonstrate need for preservation or conservation. Strong encouragement is given to local non-U.S. government source cost-sharing (including in-kind) from sources such as governments, international organizations, and the private sector. 

Final proposals are due by COB January 18, 2008.  AFCP grant(s) will be awarded on a competitive basis, depending on feasibility of projects and availability of funds. 

Application forms are available at the Embassy web-site http://bishkek.usembassy.gov or can be requested from the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy at 551-241, ext. 4439 or via e-mail: MunduzbaevaM@state.gov or KojokmatovaK@state.gov.