FY 2026 Stewards of Cultural Heritage
Agency: Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Assistance Listings: 19.451 -- Special International Exchange Grant Programs
Last Updated: May 13, 2026
View version history on Grants.gov
Description
ECA announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a program that will convene cultural ministers from key countries at an iconic location in the United States for high level discussions on cultural heritage and cultural property protection as part of the State Department’s programming to mark America’s 250th birthday. The implementing partner will work closely with ECA to develop the program’s one-to-two-day exchange agenda, including showcasing innovation and new technologies of the U.S. private sector and other American institutions in the cultural heritage field; strengthening cooperation in combatting art and antiquities trafficking; and using cultural heritage to amplify global narratives on America’s foundational values. The convening will feature U.S. models, standards, and best practices; strengthen relationships with key countries in the cultural heritage field; and produce concrete follow-on steps to advance the program’s agenda. Two to three virtual sessions with working level representatives of the selected cultural ministers will precede the U.S. program, helping gain input into and solidify the agenda.
Participants will include 25-40 cultural ministers or equivalents/designees from select countries; representatives from the U.S. government, U.S. companies and other institutions involved in cultural heritage preservation and protection; and U.S. law enforcement focused on combatting art and antiquities trafficking. The program will introduce the foreign participants to U.S. advancements in cultural property protection and preservation, strengthen commercial diplomacy, and accelerate coordination between ECA and U.S. law enforcement, thereby enhancing border security and reducing financing from trafficked art and antiquities.
Please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity for additional Information.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Public and state institutions of higher education
Nonprofit
- Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)
Additional information
Please see full announcement.
Grantor contact information
Description
Martin Perschler
PerschlerMJ@state.gov PerschlerMJ@state.gov
Documents
| File name | Description | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| FY26_StewardsCH_NOFO.pdf | FY 2026 Stewards of Cultural Heritage NOFO | May 12, 2026 01:47 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025-4.docx | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (DOCX) | May 12, 2026 01:47 PM UTC |
| performance_monitoring_plan_mode_2.3_02.03.2025.pdf | ECA Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) (PDF) | May 12, 2026 01:47 PM UTC |
Link to additional information
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Organizational Funding Opportunities
Archived: August 9, 2026
Application process
This site is a work in progress. Go to www.grants.gov to apply, track application status, and subscribe to updates. View on Grants.gov
Award
Funding opportunity number: DFOP0018339
Cost sharing or matching requirement: No
Funding instrument type: Cooperative agreement
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation: --
Category of Funding Activity: Other
Category Explanation: Please see full announcement.
History
Version: 2
Posted date: May 12, 2026
Archive date: August 9, 2026