In 2001, the Congress of the United States of America established the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (the Ambassador’s Fund) as a tool through which the people of the United States could help less developed countries to preserve their cultural heritage.  Through the Ambassador’s Fund, American embassies around the globe are helping eligible countries to preserve historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections, and traditional forms of music, dance, and language.

Call for Proposals
The American Embassy is now accepting proposals for the 2011 Ambassador’s Fund.  Successful proposals identify one-time of recurring projects that assist the people of Uganda in preserving their cultural heritage.  Grants typically range from US$10,000-$50,000.  Proposals may include preservation projects directed at:

A) Cultural Sites—Includes (but not limited to) historic buildings and sites, sacred places, monuments, and archaeological sites;

B) Cultural Objects and Collections from a museum, site, or similar institution and includes archaeological and ethnographic objects, paintings, sculpture, manuscripts, photographic and film collections, and general museum conservation activities; and

C) Forms of Traditional Cultural Expression includes traditional music, rituals, knowledge, languages, dance, drama, and crafts

Proposal Assessment Criteria
Proposals must address all of the following criteria:
•  A description of the project and participants, including the time frame for completion.
• An indication of the importance of the cultural or sacred site, object/collection, or  form of expression.  All should be of relevance to Uganda.
• An indication of the urgency of the project.
• An assessment of the impact of the U.S. contribution to the preservation project.
• A detailed budget showing expenditure of funds.
• Recipient information including resumes of project director and professional staff
• Official permission to undertake the project
• An indication of other funding sources, if any.  (Note: strong encouragement is given  to  local cost-sharing including support in-kind.)
• At least 3 digital images (JPEGs) or audiovisual files of the site, object, or form of expression to be addressed in the proposed project

Selection Process
All completed proposals must be received by the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, Uganda no later than November 30, 2010 for consideration under the 2011 Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation competition.  The U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Jerry Lanier will chair a panel to assess all proposals received.  That panel may nominate only one (1) proposal from Uganda for consideration in the worldwide competition.

Further Information

For further information regarding the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation or for information on previously funded projects, please refer tohttp://exchanges.state.gov/afcp.
For questions about, or to discuss, possible project ideas, contact Dorothy Ngalombi, Cultural Affairs Specialist  at 0414-306313.

COMPLETED PROPOSALS SHOULD BE SENT TO:

The Cultural Affairs  Specialist
U.S. Embassy
Plot 1577, Ggaba Rd.
Nsambya, Kampala
E-Mail: NgalombiDN@state.gov

THE DEADLINE FOR  PROPOSALS IS
November 30, 2010