Storytelling to Safeguard Cultural Identity and Sovereignty: Bolstering the Tourism Industry

The U.S. Department of State, through the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent’s Public Diplomacy Section, is offering a Notice of Funding Opportunity titled Storytelling to Safeguard Cultural Identity and Sovereignty: Bolstering the Tourism Industry. This funding opportunity is issued under the Smith Mundt Public Diplomacy Funds and is designed to strengthen cultural heritage preservation efforts in Uzbekistan while enhancing tourism development through improved storytelling and content creation. The program reflects ongoing U.S. investment in cultural preservation, particularly through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, and seeks to expand the visibility and impact of those investments by connecting them with modern tourism practices and digital storytelling. The primary purpose of this grant is to build capacity among tourism professionals and content creators to better interpret, present, and promote cultural heritage sites across Uzbekistan. The program aims to improve storytelling techniques used by tour guides and tourism operators while simultaneously strengthening the ability of content creators such as journalists, filmmakers, and digital influencers to produce high-quality, engaging content. A central feature of the project is the establishment of a Heritage Content Creation and Storytelling Lab, which will serve as a training and collaboration hub for participants. Through this initiative, the program intends to increase public appreciation of cultural heritage, highlight U.S.-Uzbekistan cultural cooperation, and expand audience reach both domestically and internationally. Funding for this opportunity totals approximately $50,000, with individual awards expected to range between $30,000 and $50,000. The program anticipates making one to two awards, depending on available funding. Projects must be completed within a performance period of six to twelve months, with a target project start date of October 1, 2026. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, meaning the U.S. Embassy will maintain substantial involvement throughout implementation, including participation in participant selection, approval of program materials, and oversight of major deliverables. Certain costs are explicitly unallowable, including construction, direct social services, fundraising, political activities, and commercial ventures. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, including civil society organizations and think tanks, as well as U.S.-based public and private educational institutions with relevant expertise in cultural heritage, tourism, or related fields. For-profit entities are not eligible to serve as the primary recipient, although partnerships and subcontracting arrangements are permitted. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to collaborate with Uzbek government agencies and local partners. All applicants must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier and active registration in SAM.gov. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required. The application process requires submission of standard federal forms including SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B where applicable, along with a comprehensive proposal not exceeding fifteen pages. The proposal must include a summary, organizational background, problem statement, program design, timeline, staffing plan, and sustainability approach. Applicants must also submit a Monitoring and Evaluation plan, a detailed line-item budget with justification, resumes of key personnel, and supporting documentation such as proof of nonprofit status and letters of partnership. Applications must be submitted either via Grants.gov or by email, and all materials must be in English and denominated in U.S. dollars. Applications are due by June 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by a technical evaluation based on criteria such as program quality, organizational capacity, project planning, budget justification, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability. Applicants can expect notification of results within approximately 120 days after the deadline. Successful applicants will enter into a cooperative agreement and must comply with federal reporting, branding, and administrative requirements throughout the grant period. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the program email contact provided by the Embassy.

Ensure strong alignment with stated objectives and U.S. foreign policy priorities; provide detailed measurable outcomes and a robust monitoring and evaluation plan; clearly define partnerships and implementation roles