U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)

Funder: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Program Description: The AFCP Grants Program supports the preservation of archaeological sites, historic buildings and monuments, museum collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression. Projects are submitted to the Cultural Heritage Center by embassies around the world. Each year, the Center selects twenty to thirty projects for AFCP funding.

Award Amount: Asian Legacy Library received $300,000 over three years for their project at the National Library of Mongolia (funding period began September 2022)

Geographic Scope: International; projects submitted through U.S. embassies worldwide

Focus Areas:

• Archaeological sites
• Historic buildings and monuments
• Museum collections
• Traditional cultural expression
• Capacity building and cultural preservation training

Project Example: "Consolidating, Documenting, and Restoring the National Library of Mongolia" - a three-year project aimed at:

• Consolidating, documenting, and restoring the National Library of Mongolia's collections
• Training NLM staff with expanded cultural preservation skills, systems, and knowledge
• Increasing community engagement
• Solidifying and expanding Mongolia-U.S. relations via capacity building and cultural exchange
• Supporting salaries of ten NLM staff members and equipment/supplies

Funding History: Since 2000, AFCP has given $1.3 million USD to the implementation of twenty projects in Mongolia, including:

• Restoration of Yadam Temple of the Choijin Lama Temple Museum in Ulaanbaatar
• Barcoding Inventory Project within the National Museum of Mongolia
• Preservation of Deer Stones in Khanui Valley

Application Process: Projects are submitted by embassies around the world to the Cultural Heritage Center in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.