Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- FOA-ILAB-26-44
- Agency
-
Department of Labor
- Applications due
- Award size
- $7,000,000 to $18,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 17.401 International Labor Programs
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Other
- Eligible applicants
- Not on record
- Points of contact
-
- Sue Levenstein ogm_ilab@dol.gov (877) 872-5627
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs is soliciting applications for two cooperative agreements totaling $18 million under the Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative, with an application deadline of September 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants may pursue one or both geographic regions but must submit separate applications for each; multiple applications from a single organization for either the Latin America or Asia cooperative agreement are not permitted.
Up to $11 million will fund a project implemented in four Latin American countries (Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala), and up to $7 million will fund a project implemented in two Asian countries (Bangladesh and Malaysia). The Department retains the right to designate additional countries within each region. Eligible applicants include commercial, international, educational, and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, public international organizations, and Native American tribal organizations; both U.S. and non-U.S. entities qualify.
The project period is 36 months from award date, though applicants may propose shorter periods aligned with their strategy. Work will be performed in designated partner countries with administrative oversight through the awardee organization. The objective is to advance U.S. trade priorities by building accountability in key trade partner countries to implement and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports made wholly or in part with forced labor, leveraging labor commitments in trade agreements including Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs).
Applicants must allocate 5–8 percent of total direct costs to monitoring and evaluation activities, $50,000–$75,000 for communications and visual assets depending on country scope, and ensure sufficient funding for international and in-country travel. Technical proposals must not exceed 50 double-spaced pages. Award decisions are expected between September 30, 2026 and December 31, 2026. The program is assigned to CFDA 17.401, International Labor Programs.
Synopsis
Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may be emailed to OGM_ILAB@dol.gov.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organizations, including any faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, or public international organizations (PIOs). Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00294041.pdf | ||
| Financial-System-Risk-Assessment-Form.pdf | ||
| FOA-ILAB-26-44 FLIP.pdf |
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