[Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab)

September 26, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time)

$10,000,000 total for one cooperative agreement | 54-month project period

Funding for a project to reduce wage suppression and unfair labor practices in key Mexican trade sectors, supporting fairer competition for American workers.

--- ## Description The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) at the U.S. Department of Labor is soliciting applications for a single, large-scale cooperative agreement aimed at reducing wage suppression and unfair labor practices in key trade sectors in Mexico. The initiative is designed to create a more level playing field for American workers by improving labor standards and enforcement in Mexico, particularly in sectors tied to U.S.-Mexico trade under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The funded project will work directly with state governments, private sector actors (notably small and medium-sized enterprises), and worker organizations in three to five Mexican states. Activities will focus on strengthening labor law enforcement, improving private sector compliance with labor obligations, and empowering Mexican workers to advocate for their rights and better wages. The ultimate goal is to address labor practices in Mexico that undermine U.S. worker competitiveness and incentivize outsourcing. --- ## Due Dates - **Application Deadline:** September 26, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) - Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360092) by the deadline. - Award decisions are expected between September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025. --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Funding Available:** $10,000,000 (subject to federal appropriations) - **Number of Awards:** 1 cooperative agreement - **Award Floor/Ceiling:** $10,000,000 - **Project Duration:** Up to 54 months from the award date (shorter periods may be proposed if justified) - **Cost Sharing/Matching:** Not required; including matching funds does not provide additional consideration --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - U.S. and non-U.S. organizations: - Nonprofits (including faith-based and community-based organizations) - Public and private institutions of higher education - Minority-serving institutions (HBCUs, HSIs, AANAPISIs, etc.) - For-profit organizations (without profit/fee) - Public international organizations (PIOs) - **Not eligible:** Foreign governments or agencies operated by a foreign state (may participate as subrecipients in rare cases with justification), organizations associated with terrorism, or those debarred/suspended by the U.S. government. Faith-based organizations are specifically encouraged to apply. There is no requirement for prior experience managing federal awards, but applicants must demonstrate relevant capacity. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically through [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360092) by the stated deadline. - **Required Application Components:** - Technical Proposal (max 50 pages, with required attachments such as work plan, sustainability strategy, evidence of country presence, and project management organizational chart) - Cost Proposal (including SF-424, SF-424A, line-item budget, budget narrative, and indirect cost documentation) - Registration in the [System for Award Management (SAM)](https://sam.gov) and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) required - All documents must be in English and follow specified formatting - **Evaluation:** Applications are reviewed for technical merit, organizational capacity, project design, and strategy cohesiveness. See the [FOA PDF](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FOA-ILAB-25-43%20Mexico.pdf) for detailed scoring criteria. --- ## Additional Information - **Project Scope:** The initiative targets three to five states in Mexico (from a list of priority states/sectors), with activities tailored to local needs and stakeholder engagement. - **Required Activities:** - Strengthen state-level labor law enforcement and industrial relations - Assist SMEs in meeting USMCA labor obligations - Educate and empower Mexican workers and worker organizations - **Reporting:** Quarterly financial and semi-annual technical progress reports are required, along with a final technical report at project completion. - **Open Licensing:** All materials developed with grant funds must be openly licensed for public use. - **Special Requirements:** Within the first six months, grantee must conduct additional in-country needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to refine project design. --- ## External Links - [Full Grants.gov Opportunity Details (FOA-ILAB-25-43)](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360092) - [ILAB Grant Program Information](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab) - [Funding Opportunity Announcement PDF](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FOA-ILAB-25-43%20Mexico.pdf) - [Amendment One to FOA](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FOA-ILAB-25-43%20Amendment%20One.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Description | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Office of Grants Management | OGM_ILAB@dol.gov | For all program and application questions. | For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. ---

Leveling the Field for American Workers in US-Mexico Trade

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