Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative
🏛 Bureau of International Labor Affairs
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to combat forced labor in international trade. Eligible applicants likely include nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and international development organizations with expertise in labor enforcement and trade compliance.
The grant funds two separate cooperative agreements: one focused on Latin America ($7-11 million) and one on Asia ($7 million). Organizations may apply to one or both agreements, but cannot submit multiple applications for the same regional focus.
Projects must build accountability in trade partner countries to implement and enforce prohibitions on forced labor imports. The work advances U.S. trade priorities by addressing enforcement gaps that harm American workers and producers.
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Key dates
- Aug 21, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 21, 2026 Application deadline in 16 days
- Dec 31, 2026 Project start
Program description
This is a Notice of Intent/Forecast only. The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), DOL intends to award two (2) cooperative agreements ($18 million, total costs subject to the availability of Federal funds) to fund technical assistance projects with the objective of advancing U.S. trade priorities by building accountability in key trade partner countries to implement and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports made wholly or in part with forced labor. These projects will leverage labor commitments in trade agreements, including Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs), to address gaps in forced labor enforcement that create unfair competition for American workers and producers. Up to $11 million will be awarded for a project to be implemented in four (4) Latin American countries and up to $7 million will be awarded for a project to be implemented in two (2) Asian countries. Applicants may apply to just one or each of the Latin America and Asia cooperative agreements; however, multiple applications from an organization for either the Latin America or the Asia cooperative agreement are not allowed.
The project objective is to advance U.S. trade priorities by building accountability in key trade partner countries to implement and effectively enforce a prohibition on imports made wholly or in part with forced labor.
Outcome(s)
- Project outcomes will be developed by the applicant.
Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Forecast may be emailed to OGM_ILAB@dol.gov; however, please note there is limited information that may be shared with the public, as this FOA is currently under development. We encourage prospective applicants and interested parties to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates provided for this particular FOA.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- <UNKNOWN> (Full requirements to be announced with formal FOA)
Program contact
- 👤 Sue Levenstein
- 📧 OGM_ILAB@dol.gov
- 📞 1-877-872-5627
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 17.401 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$18,000,000
-
$8,000,000
-
$7,000,000
-
$7,000,000
-
$6,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$5,000,000
-
$4,740,000
-
$4,455,000
-
$4,260,000
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 17.401). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $62,240,455 | |
| 2025 | $63,034,997 | |
| 2026 est. | $64,249,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
The full eligibility criteria are under development. Organizations with expertise in labor enforcement, trade compliance, and international development are encouraged to register on Grants.gov for updates.
Can my organization apply for both regional agreements?
Yes, you may apply to both the Latin America and Asia cooperative agreements. However, you cannot submit multiple applications for the same region.
What funding amounts are available?
The Latin America project offers up to $11 million, while the Asia project offers up to $7 million. Total program funding is $18 million across both agreements.
What activities does this grant support?
Projects should build accountability in key trade partner countries for enforcing forced labor prohibitions on imports. Applicants develop their own project outcomes aligned with this objective.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 17, 2026. Since this is currently a Notice of Intent, the formal funding announcement with full details will be forthcoming.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Register on Grants.gov now to receive updates when the full Funding Opportunity Announcement is released; this is currently a Notice of Intent.
- Review U.S. trade agreements, particularly Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ARTs), to understand labor commitments your project can leverage.
- Demonstrate deep expertise in labor enforcement systems and trade compliance in your target countries.
- Clearly articulate how your project addresses specific enforcement gaps that create unfair competition for U.S. workers and producers.
- Develop measurable, outcomes-focused project objectives since applicants design their own outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying to the same regional focus more than once. Proposing work outside the designated Latin American or Asian countries. Failing to demonstrate alignment with U.S. trade priorities and labor enforcement gaps.
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