U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Freedom 250

The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Freedom 250 Special Edition, managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State, is an initial funding opportunity for grants, fixed-amount awards, or cooperative agreements ranging from $25,000 to $250,000, with $6 million available. The program, celebrating 250 years of American independence and the 25th anniversary of AFCP, prioritizes projects honoring global U.S. contributions and fostering technical exchange. Eligible applicants include foreign and U.S. institutions of higher education, NGOs, public entities, and governmental institutions. All organizations require a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and SAM.gov registration. Priority projects incorporate American and foreign technical exchange, focusing on cultural objects or sites associated with notable Americans, American heritage professionals, U.S. history, American innovations, intellectual roots of American institutions, American-inspired independence movements, traditional cultural expressions influencing American art, and historical sites significant to U.S. diaspora communities. Ineligible activities include preservation of privately or commercially owned property, natural heritage without cultural connection, human remains, news media, published materials, mandated educational materials, archaeological research, new collections or construction, new works of art, conjectural reconstructions, relocation of sites, removal of objects from the country, and projects under $25,000 or over $250,000. Applications are reviewed based on activity description, importance of heritage, maintenance plan, public outreach, data access, budget, and supporting materials, with bonus points for integration with other Bureau programs.