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: Up to $18,000,000 total; expected 2 awards ($8M–$10M per region); 36-month project period.
Summary: Supports technical assistance projects to improve labor law enforcement in key trade partner countries, aiming to ensure fair competition for American workers and producers.
Description
This funding opportunity from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) will provide up to $18 million for two cooperative agreements to implement technical assistance projects that strengthen labor law enforcement in targeted sectors of select U.S. trade partner countries. The goal is to ensure that unfair labor practices abroad do not undercut American workers and producers, focusing on the implementation of labor provisions in trade arrangements, including free trade agreements and Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs).
Awards will be made for projects in:
- The Western Hemisphere (Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala) — up to $10,000,000
- Asia (Bangladesh and Malaysia) — up to $8,000,000
Applicants must propose innovative, evidence-based strategies for each country, targeting sectors that compete with U.S. industries (e.g., agriculture, manufacturing, electronics, garments, seafood, palm oil-derived chemicals). Projects should demonstrate meaningful engagement with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, worker organizations, and employers.
