Call for Applications: Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants Program (Tunisia and U.S.)

Deadline: 08-Feb-2026

The Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants support projects that protect cultural property from looting, theft, and trafficking while promoting legal scientific, cultural, and educational exchange. Grants range from $25,000 to $150,000 with project durations of 1–3 years, targeting U.S. and Tunisian institutions, NGOs, public entities, and international organizations. Eligible implementers must be reputable, non-commercial organizations capable of managing cultural heritage projects.

Overview of the Program

The Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants program provides funding to support initiatives that implement bilateral cultural property agreements, strengthen protection against illicit trafficking, and encourage legal sharing of artifacts for research, education, and cultural purposes. The program also advances U.S. foreign policy objectives and enhances bilateral law enforcement cooperation.

Key Focus Areas

• Implementation of bilateral cultural property agreements

• Protection of cultural property from looting, theft, and trafficking

• Support for emergency import restrictions

• Legal sharing of cultural property for scientific, cultural, and educational purposes

• Strengthening U.S. foreign policy objectives and bilateral relations

• Enhancing law enforcement cooperation

Funding Details

• Grant amounts: $25,000–$150,000

• Project implementation periods: 1–3 years

• Performance period: 12–60 months

Eligibility Criteria

• Tunisian and U.S. institutions of higher education

• Tunisian NGOs and public entities

• Public international organizations and governmental institutions

• U.S. non-profit organizations

• Eligible implementers must be reputable, accountable, and non-commercial

• Organizations must demonstrate capacity to manage cultural property protection projects

Ineligible Implementers

• Individuals

• Commercial entities

• Past award recipients who have not met previous grant requirements

Additional Requirements

• U.S. partners must be registered and active in the System for Award Management (SAM) to receive federal assistance

• Embassies advancing projects to Round 2 must ensure SAM registration is complete before final awards are granted

How to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility of your organization according to program criteria

2. Prepare a project proposal detailing objectives, implementation plan, budget, and expected outcomes

3. Submit the proposal through the official grant platform by the stated deadline

4. Ensure U.S.-based partners complete SAM registration if applicable

5. Projects should focus on protection, legal sharing, and cultural, educational, or scientific dissemination of cultural property

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Submitting applications from ineligible entities such as individuals or commercial organizations

• Failing to complete SAM registration for U.S. partners

• Proposing projects outside the scope of bilateral cultural property agreements

• Overlooking legal, educational, or cultural exchange components in project design

• Ignoring project accountability and non-commercial requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply? Tunisian and U.S. higher education institutions, NGOs, public entities, international organizations, and U.S. non-profits.

2. What is the grant range? $25,000 to $150,000 per project.

3. How long can projects last? 1–3 years, with performance periods from 12–60 months.

4. Can individuals or commercial entities apply? No, they are ineligible.

5. Are previous award recipients eligible? Only if they have met all previous grant requirements.

6. What is SAM registration? A U.S. government requirement for federal assistance eligibility.

7. What types of activities are supported? Cultural property protection, legal sharing, scientific, educational, and cultural dissemination, and law enforcement cooperation.

Conclusion

The Cultural Property Agreement Implementation Grants program provides vital support for organizations working to safeguard cultural heritage. By funding projects that prevent looting, promote legal sharing, and strengthen international collaboration, the program ensures that cultural artifacts are preserved, studied, and shared responsibly while reinforcing bilateral relations and law enforcement cooperation.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy Tunis.