Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative
Limited submission
The Department of Labor plans to fund $18 million in projects to help Latin American and Asian countries enforce bans on imports made with forced labor, supporting fair trade and U.S. trade priorities.
Funder: Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Due Dates: September 7, 2026 (Technical questions) | September 21, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: $7M–$11M per award; up to 2 awards; total program funding $18M; 36-month project period.
Summary: Supports projects to strengthen enforcement of forced labor import prohibitions in key U.S. trade partner countries.
Key Information: No cost sharing required; applicants may apply for one or both regional awards but must submit separate proposals.
Description
This funding opportunity from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor, aims to support projects that enhance accountability and enforcement of forced labor import prohibitions in select U.S. trade partner countries. The initiative seeks to build legal, regulatory, and institutional capacity to prevent goods produced with forced labor from entering global supply chains, leveraging labor commitments in trade agreements. Projects must target either Latin America (Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala) or Asia (Bangladesh, Malaysia), with the possibility of additional countries being designated by ILAB.
