Supporting Implementation of the Labor Provisions of Trade Arrangements for American Worker Competitiveness
Limited submission
The Department of Labor plans to fund $18M in technical assistance projects to improve labor law enforcement in select countries, supporting fair trade and protecting American worker competitiveness.
Funder: Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Due Dates: September 7, 2026 (Technical questions) | September 21, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: $8,000,000–$18,000,000 per award; 2 awards expected; project period up to 36 months
Summary: Funds technical assistance projects to strengthen labor law enforcement in key U.S. trade partner countries, aiming to reduce unfair foreign competition and support American workers.
Key Information: Separate applications required for Western Hemisphere (Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala) and Asia (Bangladesh, Malaysia) regions.
Description
This opportunity from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) supports projects that improve labor law enforcement in sectors of key U.S. trade partner countries. The goal is to address unfair labor practices abroad that undermine U.S. workers and producers, particularly in regions with recent trade agreements or Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs). Two cooperative agreements will be awarded: one focused on the Western Hemisphere (Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala), and one on Asia (Bangladesh, Malaysia). Projects must propose innovative, evidence-based strategies tailored to each country’s context, targeting labor violations in economic sectors that compete with U.S. industries.
