Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ILAB 26 44
Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), focused on strengthening efforts related to prohibiting imports tied to forced labor. The program is offered under Funding Opportunity Announcement number FOA ILAB 26 44 and will be administered as a cooperative agreement, meaning recipients should expect an active partnership with DOL/ILAB during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant relationship. The assistance listing associated with this opportunity is CFDA (now often referred to as Assistance Listing) 17.401, and the activity category is listed as "Other."
The opportunity anticipates making 2 awards, with a maximum (ceiling) amount of up to $18,000,000 per award. The FOA was created on 2026-08-21, and the original application closing date is 2026-09-21. Organizations considering applying should plan around that deadline and assume standard federal submission requirements and compliance expectations that typically come with a cooperative agreement of this size and profile, including performance reporting and close coordination with the awarding office.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally inclusive. Applicants may be commercial entities, international organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations, including community-based and faith-based organizations, as well as public international organizations (PIOs). The announcement explicitly encourages faith-based organizations to apply and emphasizes nondiscrimination in award selection and grant administration. In practical terms, DOL states it will not discriminate based on an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, and it will not treat a faith-based organization differently from a similarly situated secular organization based on conduct that would not otherwise be a valid reason to favor or disfavor the applicant. This language is meant to clarify that religious identity is not a barrier to eligibility so long as the organization meets the FOA’s requirements.
For administrative questions about the FOA, applicants are directed to contact OGMILAB@dol.gov. This email is the point of contact for clarifications related to the announcement, and prospective applicants typically use it to confirm eligibility questions, submission mechanics, or other procedural issues tied to the solicitation.Apply for FOA ILAB 26 44
- The Bureau of International Labor Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.401.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $18,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative - FAQs
1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Freedom Shield: Global Forced Labor Import Prohibition Initiative.
2) Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), specifically the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).
3) What is the main focus or purpose of the program?
The program is focused on strengthening efforts related to prohibiting imports tied to forced labor, supporting work that advances global forced labor import prohibition efforts.
4) What is the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number?
The FOA number is FOA ILAB 26 44.
5) What type of funding instrument will be used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The award will be administered as a cooperative agreement, not a hands-off grant.
6) What does it mean that this award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means recipients should expect an active partnership and close coordination with DOL/ILAB during implementation, rather than a relationship where the funder is largely uninvolved after award.
7) What Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is associated with this opportunity?
The associated Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA) number is 17.401.
8) What activity category is listed for this opportunity?
The activity category is listed as "Other".
9) How many awards does DOL/ILAB expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates making 2 awards.
10) What is the maximum funding amount per award?
The maximum (ceiling) amount is up to $18,000,000 per award.
11) When was the FOA created?
The FOA was created on 2026-08-21.
12) What is the original application closing date?
The original application closing date is 2026-09-21.
13) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes:
- Commercial entities
- International organizations
- Educational institutions
- Nonprofit organizations (including community-based organizations)
- Faith-based organizations
- Public international organizations (PIOs)
14) Are faith-based organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages faith-based organizations to apply.
15) Does DOL/ILAB discriminate based on religious identity when making awards?
No. The announcement emphasizes nondiscrimination in award selection and grant administration. DOL states it will not discriminate based on an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof.
16) Will a faith-based organization be treated differently than a similar secular organization?
The announcement states that DOL will not treat a faith-based organization differently from a similarly situated secular organization based on conduct that would not otherwise be a valid reason to favor or disfavor the applicant.
17) What kinds of compliance or administrative expectations should applicants plan for?
Applicants should assume standard federal submission requirements and compliance expectations typical for a cooperative agreement of this size and profile, including performance reporting and close coordination with the awarding office (DOL/ILAB).
18) Who do applicants contact for administrative questions about the FOA?
Administrative questions should be directed to OGMILAB@dol.gov.
19) What types of questions is the FOA contact email meant to handle?
Prospective applicants typically use the contact email to seek clarifications related to the announcement, such as:
- Confirming eligibility questions
- Submission mechanics
- Other procedural issues tied to the solicitation
20) What planning considerations should organizations keep in mind regarding timing?
Organizations considering applying should plan around the 2026-09-21 closing date and account for standard federal submission steps and the likelihood of ongoing engagement with DOL/ILAB during project implementation due to the cooperative agreement structure.
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