Advancing Labor Rights in the Garment Industry
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DFOP0019477
- Agency
-
Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor
Department of State
- Applications due
- Award size
- $986,500
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
- Not on record
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor is soliciting applications for grants to support advancing labor rights in the garment industry, with applications due August 27, 2026. One award of $986,500 is available for a 24-month performance period with an anticipated project start date of September 30, 2026. The program focuses exclusively on countries with signed Agreements on Reciprocal Trade with the United States, excluding Bangladesh.
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based and foreign nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, and public international organizations. All applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and register with SAM.gov.
The program will strengthen labor rights protections by supporting garment workers to understand and exercise their labor rights, freely associate, and access timely, non-retaliatory remedies for workplace abuses. Funded activities may include supporting workers and worker organizations to organize and advocate for their rights, documenting labor rights violations, promoting accountability and remediation for workplace abuses, and engaging employers, civil society, and government stakeholders to improve compliance with labor standards and working conditions in the garment sector. Activities must demonstrate clear connection to ART countries and meaningful civil society engagement, with implementation structured as non-partisan and aligned with secure data management practices.
Applications must include SF-424 series forms, a proposal narrative not exceeding 15 pages addressing problem statement, goals, objectives, activities, timeline, and monitoring and evaluation plans, detailed line-item budget with justification, and key personnel descriptions. Budgets follow OMB cost category structure with indirect costs calculated through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or a de minimis rate of 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs. Post-award compliance includes federal regulations, financial and program reporting, Foreign Assistance Data Review tracking, and branding requirements. The program is funded through the FY25 Democracy Fund under CFDA 19.345.
Synopsis
The program will strengthen labor rights protections consistent with labor rights commitments and support labor rights reforms in strategic partner countries with existing Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs). This program will support garment workers to help them better understand and exercise their labor rights, freely associate, and access timely, non-retaliatory remedies for workplace abuses across the garment supply chain. Activities may include supporting workers and worker organizations to organize and advocate for their rights, documenting labor rights violations, promoting accountability and remediation for workplace abuses, and engaging employers, civil society, and government stakeholders to improve compliance with labor standards and working conditions in the garment sector. By strengthening implementation of labor provisions in trade agreements and supporting labor rights reforms aligned with the Trump administration's trade and economic policy, this program will support a more level playing field for responsible businesses and reinforces U.S. economic and strategic interests in key manufacturing markets.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DFOP0019477 NOFO.pdf | ||
| MTDC Calculation Table.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Budget Template FY26 with MTDC Calculation_Final.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| 2026 Proposal Submission Instructions Updated.pdf | ||
| DFOP0019481 Notice of Funding Opportunity.pdf |
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