Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS SUDAN NOFO FY2024 01
The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum is soliciting Round 1 proposals for the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), a grant program that finances projects focused on safeguarding Sudan's cultural heritage. This opportunity supports practical preservation work on archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, museum collections, and living or traditional cultural expressions such as indigenous languages and crafts. While the notice opens a competition for FY 2024, actual implementation depends on the availability of FY 2024 funds and on a review of safety and security conditions in Sudan generally and at the proposed project site specifically. The Embassy encourages interested applicants to engage early with its Public Diplomacy Section for guidance and details.
The program is designed to fund hands-on preservation activities that address deterioration, instability, damage, or threats to heritage resources. Examples of eligible work include anastylosis (reassembling a site using original parts), conservation treatments for objects or sites, consolidation of weakened elements, documentation in analog or digital formats, inventories of objects/sites/traditions, preventive conservation to reduce risk factors (like humidity, pests, poor storage, or structural stress), restoration when appropriate (often for fine arts, decorative arts, and historic buildings), and stabilization to reduce physical disturbance and prevent further loss. In practice, the strongest projects are likely to be those that clearly demonstrate heritage significance, define a realistic scope of work, and show why timely intervention matters.
The competition uses a two-stage process rather than requiring a full application at the start. First, applicants submit a concise concept note that outlines the core idea and objectives. After reviewing concept notes for eligibility and quality, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, working with the Cultural Heritage Center within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (referred to as "the Center"), will invite selected applicants to develop and submit full proposals. This structure is meant to reduce the upfront burden on applicants while allowing the Embassy and the Center to identify the most promising concepts before requesting complete workplans and budgets.
Concept notes must include several specific elements. Applicants need to provide the project basics, including a working title, the location or site, the anticipated project length (capped at 60 months), and an estimated cost showing the amount requested from AFCP in U.S. dollars. The concept note must also identify and describe the implementer, demonstrating the organization is capable of managing a cultural heritage preservation grant. A key section is the scope of work, which should summarize preservation goals and also explain broader host-country or community benefits, such as local capacity building, improved stewardship practices, or public value derived from preserving the heritage resource. Applicants are expected to explain significance in a clear, persuasive way: why the site or tradition matters, what would be lost without protection, what the preservation work contributes to the cultural heritage field, and why AFCP support is warranted. To document urgency and current conditions, applicants must include five high-quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that show the site, collection, or tradition and any visible threats (for example, collapsing walls or water damage). In addition, applicants must submit a risk assessment and monitoring plan of no more than one page, describing likely implementation challenges, practical risk-mitigation steps, and how progress will be monitored. Concept notes and the risk assessment are submitted by email to KhartoumEmbassyGrants@state.gov.
The funding rules set clear boundaries on what AFCP will and will not pay for. Award sizes must fall between USD 10,000 and USD 500,000; projects below or above that range are ineligible. AFCP also excludes a wide range of activities and costs that do not align with direct cultural preservation outcomes. Notably ineligible are projects involving privately or commercially owned cultural property (or property still in transition to public ownership), purely natural heritage efforts without a clear cultural heritage connection, preservation of human remains, preservation of news media or widely available published materials, and development of classroom curricula. AFCP does not fund archaeological excavations or exploratory research surveys undertaken primarily for research, and it generally does not support historical research unless it is essential to the success of a preservation project. The program also does not support building new museums or creating new exhibits, acquiring new collections, constructing new buildings or additions, or adding permanent coverings over sites. Similarly excluded are commemorative art/architecture commissions, modern creations or adaptations of traditional performances, replicas or conjectural reconstructions of lost sites or objects, relocating heritage sites, or removing cultural objects from the country for any reason. Digitization by itself is not supported unless it is part of a larger, clearly defined conservation, documentation, or public diplomacy effort, and standalone conservation plans or studies are discouraged unless they are embedded within a broader project that will implement the study results. Financial restrictions also apply: applicants cannot request cash reserves, endowments, or revolving funds; cannot include fundraising campaign costs; and cannot include contingency or miscellaneous fees. Costs incurred before an award is announced are generally unallowable unless they meet narrow federal cost principles (including 2 CFR 200.458) and are explicitly approved by the Grants Officer. International travel is typically not supported unless it is integral to the project or provides essential exchange and learning opportunities with cultural heritage experts. The notice also rules out independent U.S. projects overseas, emphasizing that projects should be grounded in Sudan's cultural heritage needs and partnerships rather than being primarily U.S.-driven initiatives.
Eligibility is limited to reputable, accountable, non-commercial entities with demonstrated capacity to manage cultural preservation projects and comply with grant requirements. Typical eligible applicants include non-governmental organizations, museums, educational institutions, ministries of culture, and similar organizations, including U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. Individuals and commercial entities are not eligible, and prior AFCP recipients who failed to meet objectives or reporting requirements are also excluded. The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Sudan as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.025 (Arts), with a listed award ceiling of USD 500,000.
The Round 1 submission deadline is Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 23:59 Khartoum local time, and late submissions will not be considered. Finally, the notice makes clear that publishing the opportunity is not a commitment to make an award; the Center may waive formalities and may adjust project scope and budget depending on program needs and available funds.Apply for PDS SUDAN NOFO FY2024 01
- The U.S. Mission to Sudan in the arts sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.025.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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AFCP (U.S. Embassy Khartoum) Round 1 - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is Round 1 of the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) competition announced by the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum. AFCP funds projects that safeguard Sudan's cultural heritage through practical, hands-on preservation work.
2) Who is running the program and reviewing applications?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Mission to Sudan (U.S. Embassy in Khartoum). Concept notes are reviewed by the Embassy in coordination with the Cultural Heritage Center within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (referred to as "the Center").
3) What kinds of cultural heritage does AFCP support in this notice?
The notice supports preservation projects focused on:
- Archaeological sites
- Historic buildings and monuments
- Museum collections
- Living or traditional cultural expressions (for example, indigenous languages and crafts)
4) What is the overall goal of AFCP-funded projects?
AFCP is intended to fund hands-on preservation activities that address deterioration, instability, damage, or threats to cultural heritage resources, and that demonstrate clear heritage significance, a realistic scope of work, and the importance of timely intervention.
5) What are examples of eligible preservation activities?
Examples listed in the notice include:
- Anastylosis (reassembling a site using original parts)
- Conservation treatments for objects or sites
- Consolidation of weakened elements
- Documentation (analog or digital)
- Inventories of objects, sites, or traditions
- Preventive conservation to reduce risks (humidity, pests, poor storage, structural stress, etc.)
- Restoration when appropriate (often for fine arts, decorative arts, and historic buildings)
- Stabilization to reduce physical disturbance and prevent further loss
6) Is this a full application competition from the start?
No. This competition uses a two-stage process. Applicants first submit a concise concept note. After eligibility and quality review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
7) Why does the program use a two-stage process?
The notice states the two-stage approach is designed to reduce the upfront burden on applicants while allowing the Embassy and the Center to identify the most promising concepts before requesting complete workplans and budgets.
8) What is the maximum project length allowed?
The anticipated project length must be capped at 60 months.
9) What is the funding amount range for awards?
Award sizes must be between USD 10,000 and USD 500,000. Projects requesting below USD 10,000 or above USD 500,000 are ineligible.
10) What is the listed award ceiling in the notice?
The listed award ceiling is USD 500,000.
11) What must be included in a Round 1 concept note?
Concept notes must include specific elements described in the notice, including:
- Project basics (working title, location/site, anticipated project length up to 60 months)
- An estimated cost showing the amount requested from AFCP in U.S. dollars
- Identification and description of the implementer, showing capacity to manage a cultural heritage preservation grant
- A scope of work summarizing preservation goals and broader host-country or community benefits (for example, capacity building, improved stewardship, public value)
- A clear explanation of significance (why it matters, what would be lost, contributions to the field, and why AFCP support is warranted)
- Five high-quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files showing current conditions and visible threats
- A risk assessment and monitoring plan (no more than one page)
12) What should the significance section explain?
The notice expects applicants to explain, clearly and persuasively:
- Why the site, collection, or tradition matters
- What would be lost without protection
- What the preservation work contributes to the cultural heritage field
- Why AFCP support is warranted
13) What are the image or media submission requirements?
Applicants must include five high-quality digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files that show the site, collection, or tradition and any visible threats (for example, collapsing walls or water damage).
14) What is required in the risk assessment and monitoring plan?
The notice requires a risk assessment and monitoring plan of no more than one page describing likely implementation challenges, practical risk-mitigation steps, and how progress will be monitored.
15) Where and how do applicants submit concept notes?
Concept notes and the one-page risk assessment/monitoring plan are submitted by email to KhartoumEmbassyGrants@state.gov.
16) What is the Round 1 deadline, and what time zone applies?
The Round 1 submission deadline is Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 23:59 Khartoum local time. Late submissions will not be considered.
17) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to reputable, accountable, non-commercial entities with demonstrated capacity to manage cultural preservation projects and comply with grant requirements. Examples listed include NGOs, museums, educational institutions, ministries of culture, and similar organizations, including U.S.-based nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status.
18) Are individuals or commercial entities eligible?
No. Individuals and commercial entities are not eligible under this notice.
19) Can prior AFCP recipients apply?
Prior AFCP recipients who failed to meet objectives or reporting requirements are excluded, according to the notice.
20) What types of projects or properties are explicitly ineligible?
The notice identifies several ineligible categories, including:
- Projects involving privately or commercially owned cultural property (or property still in transition to public ownership)
- Purely natural heritage efforts without a clear cultural heritage connection
- Preservation of human remains
- Preservation of news media or widely available published materials
- Development of classroom curricula
21) Does AFCP fund archaeological excavations or exploratory research surveys?
No. The notice states AFCP does not fund archaeological excavations or exploratory research surveys undertaken primarily for research.
22) Does AFCP fund historical research?
Generally, no. The notice says the program generally does not support historical research unless it is essential to the success of a preservation project.
23) Will AFCP fund building new museums or creating new exhibits?
No. The notice states AFCP does not support building new museums or creating new exhibits.
24) Will AFCP fund acquiring new collections or constructing new buildings/additions?
No. The notice excludes acquiring new collections, constructing new buildings or additions, and adding permanent coverings over sites.
25) Are commemorative art or architecture commissions allowed?
No. Commemorative art/architecture commissions are listed as excluded.
26) Are replicas or conjectural reconstructions eligible?
No. The notice excludes replicas or conjectural reconstructions of lost sites or objects.
27) Can a project relocate a heritage site?
No. Relocating heritage sites is listed as excluded.
28) Can cultural objects be removed from Sudan as part of an AFCP project?
No. The notice explicitly rules out removing cultural objects from the country for any reason.
29) Is digitization an eligible standalone project?
Digitization by itself is not supported unless it is part of a larger, clearly defined conservation, documentation, or public diplomacy effort.
30) Are standalone conservation plans or studies eligible?
The notice discourages standalone conservation plans or studies unless they are embedded within a broader project that will implement the study results.
31) What financial items and cost categories are not allowed?
The notice states applicants cannot request cash reserves, endowments, or revolving funds, and cannot include fundraising campaign costs or contingency/miscellaneous fees.
32) Can applicants charge costs incurred before an award is announced?
Costs incurred before an award is announced are generally unallowable unless they meet narrow federal cost principles (including 2 CFR 200.458) and are explicitly approved by the Grants Officer.
33) Is international travel funded?
International travel is typically not supported unless it is integral to the project or provides essential exchange and learning opportunities with cultural heritage experts.
34) Does the notice allow independent U.S. projects overseas?
No. The notice rules out independent U.S. projects overseas and emphasizes that projects should be grounded in Sudan's cultural heritage needs and partnerships rather than being primarily U.S.-driven initiatives.
35) Does publishing this opportunity guarantee an award?
No. The notice makes clear that publishing the opportunity is not a commitment to make an award.
36) Can the program change requirements, scope, or budget?
Yes. The notice states the Center may waive formalities and may adjust project scope and budget depending on program needs and available funds.
37) Is implementation guaranteed for FY 2024?
No. While the notice opens a competition for FY 2024, actual implementation depends on the availability of FY 2024 funds and on a review of safety and security conditions in Sudan generally and at the proposed project site specifically.
38) Should applicants contact the Embassy before applying?
Yes. The Embassy encourages interested applicants to engage early with its Public Diplomacy Section for guidance and details.
39) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The notice identifies this as a discretionary grant under CFDA 19.025 (Arts).
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