# FY 2026 Stewards of Cultural Heritage

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/dfop0018339-fy-2026-stewards-of-cultural-heritage/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362359

> Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs offered grants of up to $1.0 million (at least $1.0 million) to nonprofits and colleges and universities. It expected to make one award. Applications closed on July 10, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | DFOP0018339 |
| Agency | Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | July 10, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $1.0 million |
| Award floor | $1.0 million |
| Expected awards | 1 |
| Total funding | not stated |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 19.451 |

## Who can apply

- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Please see full announcement.

## What the grant funds

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.

## Questions people ask

### Is DFOP0018339 still open?

No. It closed on July 10, 2026.

### Who can apply for FY 2026 Stewards of Cultural Heritage?

Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs accepted applications from nonprofits and colleges and universities. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for FY 2026 Stewards of Cultural Heritage?

Closed July 10, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $1.0 million each.

### Who has won Special International Exchange Grant Programs grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Fulbright University Vietnam USA, Inc., Storycenter, Council on International Educational Exchange, Inc. The program made 13 awards worth $21.6 million in that time.