The U.S. Embassy in Cairo is now accepting applications for Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants (CPAIG) projects that seek to protect Egypt’s cultural property from looting, theft, and trafficking. This open call is being conducted on behalf of the Cultural Heritage Center in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and the interagency Cultural Antiquities Task Force (CATF). The CPAIG projects will help further U.S. and Egyptian efforts under the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Categories of Cultural Property in Egypt.

The application process involves two rounds. The first round includes submission of project ideas in the form of concept notes, due to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo on January 6, 2024. In Round 2, the Embassy will invite shortlisted applicants to submit full project applications, deadline will be announced at a later stage.

Funding awards typically range from $10,000 to $150,000 per project.  There are no minimum or maximum award requirements.

All applications should be submitted electronically to CairoCPAIG@state.gov no later than January 6, 2024. No hard copies will be accepted. Failure to include any of the required information results in the automatic exclusion of the proposal.

 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: Projects must contribute to the implementation of the cultural property agreement between the United States and Egypt, address clear needs in the country, and support U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Text of the U.S.-Egypt agreement is available on the Cultural Heritage Center website: https://eca.state.gov/cultural-heritage-center/cultural-property-advisory-committee/current-import-restrictions.        

 FUNDING PRIORITIES:
Applications for projects that foster cooperation, build best practices, and engage communities through the following types of activities will be considered:

1. 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 cultural sector and law enforcement authorities, and training for cultural heritage stewards.
2. INVENTORIES:  Support the creation and/or maintenance of centralized, digital, and secure inventories of cultural objects and/or sites to better support resource allocation, aid in recovery in cases of theft, and promote public appreciation for cultural heritage protection.
3. 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.  Examples include development of site security plans, installation of security systems, and training for guards and/or site stewards.
4. 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: Projects should address clear needs in the country or region, and support U.S. foreign policy objectives. If an action plan to implement a cultural property agreement is in place, then any proposed projects must link directly to the activities in the action plan. Special consideration will be given to proposals that encourage linkages between government agencies (inter-ministerial initiatives) and between governments and the private sector.

ELIGIBLE PROJECT IMPLEMENTERS
Non-governmental organizations, museums, educational institutions, relevant government ministries, or similar institutions and organizations, including U.S.-based educational institutions organizations (subject to Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code), are eligible to apply.

CONCEPT NOTE REQUIREMENTS (Deadline: January 6, 2024)

Basic Project Information

• Working title
• Location (city, country)
• Estimated Length (months) (up to 36 months)
• Estimated requested fund (USD) with basic budget (e.g. personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractual costs, etc.)
• Funding Area (e.g. training, inventories, site security and protection, public education and outreach)

Implementing Partner Information

• Organization
• Project lead, title, and brief summary of experience
• Address
• Phone number
• Email
• Website or social media links of organization
• SAM registration status (active or not active) (Note: An active SAM.gov registration is not required for Round 1 applications.)

Concept Note Materials

• 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).
• Project Implementer.
• 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.

• 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 specific National Security Strategy plans, Integrated Country Strategy goals, existing bilateral cultural property agreements or Joint Action Plans (if applicable), emergency import restrictions, or any other U.S. foreign policy objectives (1,000 characters maximum).
• the projected public diplomacy benefits of the project (1,000 characters maximum).
• (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 FULL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Deadline: April 6, 2023):

The applications must fully satisfy the program objectives, funding areas and priorities, and eligibility requirements. Furthermore, to be considered complete, they must include:

• Project Activities Description and Timeframe that present the project tasks in chronological order, list the major milestones with target dates for achieving them.
• Statement of Importance highlighting the historical, architectural, artistic, or cultural (non-religious) values of the cultural property.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• If applicable, explain how the proposed project or project staff are linked to other Department of State cultural, educational, or other exchange programs.
• Résumés or CVs of the proposed project director and key project participants.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• Relevant Supporting Documentation, such as reports, plans and studies, needs assessments and recommendations, etc., compiled in preparation for the proposed project.
• As requested by the Center 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.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Clarity and completeness of Activities Description and Timeframe (20 points max)
• Importance (10 points max)
• Clarity and completeness of Implementer Public Outreach Plan (15 points)
• Clarity and completeness of Embassy Strategic Outreach Plan (10 points)
• Project Maintenance Plan (15 points max)
• Budget and Budget Narrative (20 points max)
• Supporting Materials (resumes, assessments, reports, images, etc.; (10 points max)
• Innovative integration, collaboration, or coordination with other ECA and public diplomacy programs (5 bonus points max)

 QUESTIONS
Please direct any inquiries regarding the submission process to CairoCPAIG@state.gov