Storytelling to Safeguard Cultural Identity and Sovereignty: Bolstering the Tourism Industry | TASHKENT PDS FY26 002

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of State (Embassy Tashkent) cooperative agreement opportunity to implement a program in Uzbekistan that strengthens cultural identity and sovereignty through improved cultural heritage storytelling, with a practical focus on enhancing tourism experiences.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The project aims to improve how Uzbekistan heritage sites are interpreted and presented to the public, especially sites previously supported by U.S. cultural heritage preservation investments. The intent is to make heritage tourism more engaging, informative, and sustainable, while also highlighting shared cultural values and visible U.S. linkages.

How does the project connect to prior U.S. cultural heritage work in Uzbekistan?

The program is designed to build on and highlight earlier U.S. cultural heritage preservation investments, with particular emphasis on sites supported by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).

What types of sites or locations does the program emphasize?

The opportunity emphasizes AFCP-supported locations across Uzbekistan and focuses on improving the narratives and visitor-facing interpretation connected to those heritage sites.

Who are the key audiences for the program?

The opportunity describes two primary audiences: (1) tourism professionals and tour guides who shape on-site visitor experiences and in-person heritage narratives, and (2) content creators (such as bloggers, journalists, filmmakers, and digital creators) who shape broader public perception through media and online platforms.

What is the integrated training effort expected to cover?

The training component is expected to strengthen skills that improve both the substance and the delivery of heritage narratives. It is designed to support those who communicate heritage stories directly to visitors (tourism professionals and guides) and those who communicate to wider audiences via media and digital platforms (content creators).

What is the Heritage Content Creation and Storytelling Lab?

The program will create a dedicated Heritage Content Creation and Storytelling Lab intended to provide hands-on skills development and raise the quality of heritage storytelling across multiple formats.

What kinds of content formats are included in the storytelling focus?

The opportunity lists multiple formats, including written stories, short-form and long-form video, photography, social media content, and other digital products.

What outcomes is the program trying to achieve for tourism?

The stated practical goal is to improve tourism experiences by making heritage storytelling more engaging and informative, and by supporting sustainability in heritage tourism.

Is there a public diplomacy or bilateral cooperation goal?

Yes. The opportunity is framed as supporting U.S. public diplomacy by increasing the visibility and impact of U.S. cultural preservation support and reinforcing U.S.-Uzbekistan cultural cooperation.

How does this opportunity relate to broader diplomatic commitments?

The program specifically supports a Joint Statement of Intent in the Field of Cultural Heritage announced during a C5+1 meeting in November 2025, linking the project to a broader regional commitment around cultural heritage collaboration.

What type of award mechanism is being used?

Funding is offered through a discretionary cooperative agreement mechanism, which means the U.S. government expects active involvement and coordination during implementation rather than a hands-off grant approach.

What is the opportunity number and CFDA listing?

The opportunity number is TASHKENT PDS FY26 002, and it is listed under CFDA 19.040.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is June 30, 2026.

How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is $50,000.

How many awards does the embassy expect to make?

The embassy anticipates making up to two awards.

Who is eligible to apply as the prime recipient?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based organizations that can serve as the prime recipient. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based nonprofit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs) with demonstrated relevant experience, and U.S.-based public or private educational institutions with relevant expertise.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply as the prime recipient?

No. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply as the prime recipient for this opportunity.

What kinds of experience are considered relevant for eligible nonprofits?

The opportunity references experience in areas such as cultural heritage preservation, community engagement, tourism development, and content-creation capacity building.

What kinds of expertise are considered relevant for eligible educational institutions?

The opportunity references expertise such as cultural heritage management, museum studies, tourism, and related fields.

Can an applicant use subcontractors or partners?

Yes. Subcontracting is allowed, but subcontractor roles must be clearly defined in the proposal.

How many prime awardees can be proposed within a single application?

The opportunity indicates that only one nonprofit, non-governmental entity can be the prime awardee. If multiple organizations are involved, roles should be structured through subcontracting (with clear definitions of responsibilities) rather than multiple prime recipients.

Which Uzbek counterparts and partners is the implementer expected to work with?

The selected implementer is expected to work closely with Uzbek counterparts and ecosystem partners, including the Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF), the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan (CHA), the National Tourism Committee, the National Content Creation Center, and local creative industry partners.

What does the emphasis on partnership imply for implementation?

The partnership emphasis signals that the implementer should be able to coordinate effectively with government agencies and creative-sector organizations, align training content with local priorities, and ensure storytelling products are usable in real tourism and media contexts.

What guidance is referenced for distinguishing subrecipients and subcontractors?

Applicants are directed to federal guidance at 2 CFR 200.331 for how to distinguish between a subrecipient and a subcontractor and how to structure responsibilities accordingly.