Macedonia Open Ambassadors Tender

Deadline 5 December 2019The U.S. Embassy in Skopje and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State has announced the 2020 call for proposals for the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.The Fund was established to help countries preserve their cultural heritage and to demonstrate U.S. respect for other cultures. Since its inception in 2001 the Fund has helped preserve cultural sites practices and objects that are historically or culturally significant in North Macedonia and around the world.Funding AreasThrough the AFCP Program the Department of State supports projects to preserve cultural heritage in the following three areasCultural sites include but are not limited to historic buildings and archaeological sites.Examples are restoration of an ancient or historic building preservation of an archaeological site or documentation of cultural sites in a region for preservation purposes.Cultural Objects and CollectionsFrom a museum site or similar institution include archaeological and ethnographic objects paintings sculpture manuscripts and general museum conservation needs. Examples are conservation treatment for an object or collection of objects needs assessment of a collections condition and strategies for improving it inventory of a collection for conservation and protection purposes the creation of safe environments for storage or display of collections or specialized training in the care and preservation of collections.Top priority is given to project activities that are appropriate and in keeping with international standards for the preservation of cultural heritage. An appropriate preservation activity is one that protects the values of the site object or collection or form of traditional cultural expressions as they are understood by stakeholders. Stakeholders may include national regional or local cultural authorities the local community and others with vested interests in the site and the outcome of a project.Funding InformationFloor on Amount of Individual Awards US 10000 per projectCeiling on Amount of Individual Awards 200000 per projectIn FY 2019 awards ranged from US 25000 to US 200000.The Fund can NOT be used to support the followingPreservation 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 proposal submissionPreservation of natural heritage physical biological and geological formations paleontological collections habitats of threatened species of animals and plants fossilsPreservation of hominid or human remainsPreservation of news media newspaper newsreels radio and TV programs etc.Preservation of published materials available elsewhere books periodicals etc.Archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys for research purposesDevelopment of curricula or educational materials for classroom useArchaeological excavations or surveys for research purposesHistorical research except in cases where historical research is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed projectAcquisition or creation of new exhibits objects or collections for new or existing museumsConstruction of new buildings building additions or permanent coverings over archaeological sites for exampleCommissions of new works of art or architecture for commemorative or economic development purposesCreation of new or the modern adaptation of existing traditional dances songs chants musical compositions plays or other performancesCreation of replicas or conjectural reconstructions of cultural objects or sites that no longer existRelocation of cultural sites from one physical location to anotherRemoval of cultural objects or elements of cultural sites from the country for any reasonDigitalization of cultural objects or collections unless part of a larger clearly defined conservation or documentation effortConservation plans or other studies unless they are one component of a larger project to implement the results of those studiesCash reserves endowments or revolving funds funds must be expended within the grant period up to five years and may not be used to create an endowment or revolving fundCosts of fund-raising campaignsContingency unforeseen or miscellaneous feesCosts of work performed prior to announcement of the award unless allowable per 2 CFR 200.458 and approved by the Grants OfficerInternational travel except in cases where travel is justifiable and integral to the success of the proposed projectTravel or study outside the host country for professional developmentIndividual project costing less than US10000 or more than 200000 orIndependent U.S. projects overseas.Eligibility CriteriaOnly North Macedonias entities such as non-governmental organizations museums Ministry of Culture or similar institutions and organizations are eligible to apply for the Fund.Application Rating CriteriaUsing a point-based system the Embassy will rate all applications based on the program funding priorities the quality soundness and comprehensiveness of the proposed project and budget the urgency of the proposed project and the quality and quantity of supporting materials such as resumes of the key project participants images of the resource and notices of official permission from the responsible resource steward such as a ministry of culture.How to ApplyApplications must be submited in English electronically at the address given on the website.Eligible Country North Macedonia