From "Preservation of the Shir-Kebir (Mashad Ata) Mosque," Turkmenistan, 2008

The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation provides direct grant support to cultural heritage preservation projects in developing countries.

The program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2001 with $1 million. To date, the Ambassadors Fund has supported more than 500 projects worldwide, totaling more than $13.4 million. Funded projects include technical support for the restoration of historic buildings; assessment and conservation of museum collections; archaeological site preservation; documentation to save threatened traditional crafts; improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts; and documentation of indigenous languages.

U.S. Ambassadors from eligible countries may submit proposals for consideration in the annual competition. Organizations interested in suggesting projects for consideration may contact the Public Affairs Section at the American Embassy in the eligible countries.

Details on and photographs from projects supported by the Fund may be found in the Searchable Project List. Illustrated Annual Reports, also found through the links at right, provide additional information on the Program.