Promoting Responsible Investment and Rights-Respecting Production Models

The Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor is soliciting applications for a single $2,959,500 cooperative agreement to counter unfair competition from labor-exploitative production models and promote rights-respecting supply chains, with an application deadline of August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, educational institutions, for-profit organizations (where appropriations permit), individuals, and public international or governmental institutions. All organizational applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov; individuals are exempt. Organizations may submit only one proposal; multiple submissions result in all proposals from that organization being deemed ineligible. Cost-sharing from non-federal sources is encouraged but not mandatory; federal or foreign government funding does not qualify as cost-share.

The 36-month project involves a two-phase, evidence-based approach. Phase 1 requires research and stakeholder engagement to identify workforce-related barriers to responsible investment, assess promising workforce development practices, and develop targeted intervention recommendations. Phase 2 involves providing subawards to qualified implementing partners to execute evidence-based interventions, with up to 40 percent of funds directed to subgrantees. Key activities include conducting research on workforce constraints, engaging foreign companies and U.S. workforce stakeholders, facilitating partnerships, and piloting employer-led training approaches. The Department of State maintains substantial involvement throughout, including co-design of workplans and review of research recommendations before Phase 2 begins. Indirect costs may be claimed through an existing Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or up to 15 percent of Modified Total Direct Costs, excluding equipment, capital expenditures, rental costs, subaward portions exceeding $50,000, and participant support costs.

Assistance Listing 19.345 (International Programs to Support Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) funds this opportunity. The anticipated project start date is September 30, 2026. Within 30 days of award activation, recipients must complete an orientation meeting and establish key personnel; a detailed work plan is due within 45 days, with annual approval thereafter. A monitoring and evaluation plan is due 90 days after award start.