Opportunity Information: Apply for SMK80020PAS001
The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2020 opportunity, administered through the U.S. Embassy in Skopje and the U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs), invites proposals to protect and conserve cultural heritage in North Macedonia. The program exists to support preservation work that is historically or culturally significant and to reinforce U.S. respect for other nations cultures. Since AFCP began in 2001, it has supported a wide range of conservation efforts in North Macedonia and globally, focusing on tangible heritage that communities and cultural authorities consider important. For this call, proposals were due December 5, 2019, and the funding is offered as a discretionary grant.
The grant prioritizes two main project categories. The first is cultural sites, which can include historic buildings and archaeological sites, along with related documentation activities that directly support preservation. Typical projects might involve stabilizing or restoring an old structure, protecting an archaeological site from deterioration, or systematically documenting sites in a region to guide preservation actions. The second category is cultural objects and collections held by museums, sites, or similar institutions. This includes archaeological or ethnographic materials, artworks, sculptures, manuscripts, and other collection conservation needs. Eligible activities in this track can include hands-on conservation treatment, condition assessments paired with clear strategies to improve long-term care, inventories for protection and risk management, improving storage or display environments to meet conservation requirements, and specialized training connected to proper collection care.
A core requirement across all proposals is that the work must align with recognized international standards for cultural heritage preservation and must be appropriate to the specific heritage being protected. In practice, this means the project should safeguard the recognized values of a site or collection and reflect how those values are understood by key stakeholders. Stakeholders can include national or local cultural authorities, local communities connected to the heritage, and other parties with legitimate interests in the site or collection and in the outcomes of the project. Proposals that demonstrate stakeholder engagement and clearly justified methods consistent with professional conservation practice are positioned as higher priority.
Eligibility is limited to entities based in North Macedonia. The announcement explicitly notes that only North Macedonian organizations and institutions can apply, such as non-governmental organizations, museums, the Ministry of Culture, or similar bodies. This call is not intended for independent U.S.-led projects carried out overseas, and it is structured to support local stewardship of cultural heritage within the country.
The funding boundaries and scale are clearly defined. Individual projects must request between USD 10,000 and USD 200,000, with an award ceiling of USD 200,000. The notice indicates an expectation of one award. Grant funds must be spent within the grant period (which can be up to five years) and cannot be placed into endowments, revolving funds, or cash reserves.
The solicitation also lists a detailed set of exclusions that function as strict guardrails on what AFCP will not fund. It will not support preservation or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural property, nor projects focused on natural heritage, human remains, news media, or published materials that are readily available elsewhere. It does not fund archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys conducted primarily for research, nor general historical research unless it is essential to the success of a preservation effort. AFCP also excludes museum expansion in the form of acquiring or creating new exhibits or collections, constructing new buildings or additions, or building permanent coverings over sites. It will not fund commemorative commissions of new art or architecture, the creation or modern adaptation of traditional performances, replicas or speculative reconstructions of lost heritage, relocating sites, or removing cultural objects from the country for any reason.
Several common project components are only allowed under narrow conditions. Digitization is generally not supported unless it is part of a larger, clearly defined conservation or documentation effort tied to preservation outcomes. Standalone conservation plans or studies are not funded unless they are a component of a larger project that will implement the study results. International travel is typically excluded unless it is integral to project success, and travel or study outside North Macedonia for professional development is not supported. The program also bars fundraising expenses, contingency or miscellaneous fees, and costs incurred before an award is announced unless specifically allowable under federal cost rules and approved by the Grants Officer.
In short, AFCP 2020 in North Macedonia is a targeted cultural heritage preservation grant focused on practical, standards-based conservation of significant sites and institutional collections. It favors projects grounded in professional methodology, stakeholder-recognized values, and direct preservation impact, while avoiding research-only work, new construction, new acquisitions, and activities that shift heritage out of the country or away from preservation goals. Key administrative details include the opportunity number SMK80020PAS001, CFDA 19.025, a maximum award of USD 200,000, and a closing date of December 5, 2019.Apply for SMK80020PAS001
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to North Macedonia in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2020" 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 Nov 12, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 05, 2019. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) 2020 opportunity in North Macedonia?
AFCP 2020 is a U.S. Department of State (Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) discretionary grant opportunity, administered through the U.S. Embassy in Skopje, that supports the protection and conservation of significant cultural heritage in North Macedonia.
Who administers this grant program?
The opportunity is administered through the U.S. Embassy in Skopje and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
What is the main purpose of AFCP?
The program supports preservation work that is historically or culturally significant and reinforces U.S. respect for the cultures of other nations by funding tangible cultural heritage conservation projects.
What kinds of heritage does AFCP focus on?
This call focuses on tangible cultural heritage that communities and cultural authorities consider important, including cultural sites and institutional cultural objects/collections.
What are the priority project categories under this opportunity?
There are two priority categories: (1) cultural sites and (2) cultural objects and collections held by museums, sites, or similar institutions.
What counts as a "cultural site" project under AFCP?
Cultural site projects can include preservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites, along with documentation activities that directly support preservation. Examples described include stabilizing or restoring an old structure, protecting an archaeological site from deterioration, or systematically documenting sites in a region to guide preservation actions.
What types of "cultural objects and collections" projects are eligible?
Eligible projects in this category may involve archaeological or ethnographic materials, artworks, sculptures, manuscripts, and other conservation needs for institutional collections.
What activities are allowed for collections-focused proposals?
The notice describes eligible activities such as hands-on conservation treatment, condition assessments paired with strategies to improve long-term care, inventories for protection and risk management, improving storage or display environments to meet conservation requirements, and specialized training connected to proper collection care.
Are documentation activities allowed?
Yes, documentation activities can be supported when they directly support preservation (for example, documentation tied to protecting or conserving cultural sites).
What standards must AFCP projects follow?
All proposals must align with recognized international standards for cultural heritage preservation and use methods appropriate to the specific heritage being protected.
What does it mean for a project to be "appropriate" to the heritage being protected?
Based on the notice, the work should safeguard the recognized values of the site or collection and reflect how those values are understood by key stakeholders connected to that heritage.
Who are considered stakeholders for AFCP projects?
Stakeholders can include national or local cultural authorities, local communities connected to the heritage, and other parties with legitimate interests in the site or collection and the outcomes of the project.
Does stakeholder engagement affect selection?
Yes. Proposals that demonstrate stakeholder engagement and clearly justify methods consistent with professional conservation practice are described as higher priority.
Who is eligible to apply for AFCP 2020 in North Macedonia?
Eligibility is limited to entities based in North Macedonia. The announcement specifies that only North Macedonian organizations and institutions may apply.
What kinds of North Macedonian entities can apply?
Examples listed include non-governmental organizations, museums, the Ministry of Culture, and similar bodies.
Are U.S.-led projects carried out overseas eligible?
No. The call is not intended for independent U.S.-led projects carried out overseas and is structured to support local stewardship in North Macedonia.
What is the minimum and maximum amount that can be requested?
Individual projects must request between USD 10,000 and USD 200,000, with an award ceiling of USD 200,000.
How many awards are expected under this solicitation?
The notice indicates an expectation of one award.
How long can the grant period last?
The grant period can be up to five years.
Are there restrictions on how grant funds can be held or reserved?
Yes. Funds must be spent within the grant period and cannot be placed into endowments, revolving funds, or cash reserves.
What is the application deadline for this opportunity?
Proposals for this call were due December 5, 2019.
Is this funding described as discretionary?
Yes. The funding is offered as a discretionary grant.
What types of projects will AFCP not fund?
The solicitation lists multiple exclusions. AFCP will not fund preservation or purchase of privately or commercially owned cultural property; projects focused on natural heritage; human remains; news media; or published materials that are readily available elsewhere.
Does AFCP fund archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys?
No. AFCP does not fund archaeological excavations or exploratory surveys conducted primarily for research.
Does AFCP fund historical research projects?
General historical research is excluded unless it is essential to the success of a preservation effort.
Does AFCP fund museum expansion or new exhibits?
No. AFCP excludes museum expansion activities such as acquiring or creating new exhibits or collections.
Does AFCP fund new construction or building expansions?
No. It will not fund constructing new buildings or additions, and it also excludes building permanent coverings over sites.
Does AFCP fund new commemorative art or architecture?
No. It will not fund commemorative commissions of new art or architecture.
Does AFCP fund creating or modernizing traditional performances?
No. The solicitation excludes the creation or modern adaptation of traditional performances.
Are replicas or reconstructions eligible?
No. AFCP excludes replicas and speculative reconstructions of lost heritage.
Can a project relocate a site or move heritage elsewhere?
No. Relocating sites is excluded.
Can cultural objects be removed from North Macedonia as part of the project?
No. The solicitation states that removing cultural objects from the country for any reason is not allowed.
Is digitization supported by AFCP?
Digitization is generally not supported unless it is part of a larger, clearly defined conservation or documentation effort tied to preservation outcomes.
Are standalone conservation plans or studies eligible for funding?
Standalone conservation plans or studies are not funded unless they are a component of a larger project that will implement the study results.
Is international travel allowed under this grant?
International travel is typically excluded unless it is integral to project success. The solicitation also states that travel or study outside North Macedonia for professional development is not supported.
Are fundraising costs or contingency fees allowed?
No. The program bars fundraising expenses and also excludes contingency or miscellaneous fees.
Can costs incurred before the award is announced be charged to the grant?
Costs incurred before an award is announced are not allowed unless they are specifically allowable under federal cost rules and approved by the Grants Officer.
What are the key identification details for this opportunity?
Key details provided include Opportunity Number SMK80020PAS001 and CFDA 19.025, with a maximum award of USD 200,000 and a closing date of December 5, 2019.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: Improving Management of Opioids and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in Older Adults (R18)
Previous opportunity: NIDCR Award for Sustaining Outstanding Achievement in Research (SOAR) (R35 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SMK80020PAS001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SMK80020PAS001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program Apply for DOS BAGHDAD PD 2020 001 Funding Number: DOS BAGHDAD PD 2020 001 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Iraq Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Fund for Media Innovation Activity Apply for RFI Funding Number: RFI Agency: Agency for International Development, Serbia USAID-Belgrade Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fund for Media Innovation Activity Apply for 72016920RFI00001 Funding Number: 72016920RFI00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Serbia USAID-Belgrade Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SMART GRID Apply for SFOP0006266 Funding Number: SFOP0006266 Agency: Department of State, Assistance Coordination Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| OVW Fiscal Year 2020 Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grant Program Apply for OVW 2020 17620 Funding Number: OVW 2020 17620 Agency: Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Notice of Intent - Collocation of USGS personnel in Sacramento, CA on-campus of California State University, Sacramento in Modoc Hall Apply for USGS 20 FAC 0018 Funding Number: USGS 20 FAC 0018 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Notice of Funding Opportunity: AFCP Small Grant Competition Apply for PAS BGD AFCP SM FY2020 Funding Number: PAS BGD AFCP SM FY2020 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bangladesh Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| The Global Equality Fund Apply for SFOP0006250 Funding Number: SFOP0006250 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Assessing Organizational Climate Apply for 20CS01 Funding Number: 20CS01 Agency: Department of Justice, National Institute of Corrections Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Statements of Interest for Human Rights, Accountability, and Access to Information in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) Apply for SFOP0006249 Funding Number: SFOP0006249 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Resilient Governance in Niger (RGN) Activity Apply for 72068520RFA00003 Funding Number: 72068520RFA00003 Agency: Agency for International Development, Senegal USAID-Dakar Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $19,800,000 |
| FY 2020 - Jovenes en Accion Program Apply for SFOP0006287 Funding Number: SFOP0006287 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Non-Competitve Cooperative Agreement Apply for USGS 20 FAC0020 Funding Number: USGS 20 FAC0020 Agency: Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $49,000 |
| Fixed Amount Awards for Human Rights, Accountability, and Access to Information in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) Apply for SFOP0006251 Funding Number: SFOP0006251 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| OVW FY 2020 Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations Apply for OVW 2020 17674 Funding Number: OVW 2020 17674 Agency: Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Advancing Prairie Pothole Joint Venture Strategic Communications Apply for F20AS00035 Funding Number: F20AS00035 Agency: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Community Self-Reliance Activity Apply for 72016520APS00001 Funding Number: 72016520APS00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Macedonia USAID-Skopje Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY20 Cooperative Threat Reduction Metrics Apply for SFOP0006296 Funding Number: SFOP0006296 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM Apply for 002 FY2020 Funding Number: 002 FY2020 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| U.S. Embassy Athens, Public Affairs Section, Annual Program Statement Apply for PAS ATHENS FY20 01 Funding Number: PAS ATHENS FY20 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Greece Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SMK80020PAS001", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.