Better Tools for Fair Cotton: Traceability Solutions to Protect U.S. Supply Chains from Chinese Forced Labor

Key Facts

Status: Open

Posted date: July 17, 2026

Opportunity ID: 363226

Opportunity number: FOA-ILAB-26-42

Opportunity category: Discretionary

Agency name: Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Agency code: DOL-ILAB

Award floor: $6,000,000

Award ceiling: $6,000,000

Cost sharing required: No

Funding Instrument Types
  • Cooperative Agreement
Category of Funding Activity
  • Other
Eligible Applicants
  • Others
Tools
Categories (use these for quoted searches)
  • agency_code:dol_ilab
  • category_of_funding_activity:other
  • cost_sharing_or_matching_requirement:false
  • eligible_applicants:others
  • funding_instrument_type:cooperative_agreement
  • opportunity_category:discretionary
  • status:open
Description

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $6 million total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for one cooperative agreement to fund a project that will strengthen traceability and responsible sourcing in cotton supply chains in South Asia. These efforts will enhance the reputation of U.S.-produced cotton as a sustainable and labor-compliant alternative, further promoting export opportunities for American producers.The duration of the project will be 36 months from the award date. Applicants may propose a shorter period of performance in line with their proposed strategy. The objective of the project is to incentivize suppliers to adopt responsible labor and sourcing practices, improve verification of cotton origin, and reduce the risk of forced-labor-tainted goods entering the U.S. market.* Project outcomes will be developed by the applicant.Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Forecast may be emailed to [email protected]; 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.

Better Tools for Fair Cotton: Traceability Solutions to Protect U.S. Supply Chains from Chinese Forced Labor
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL, or the Department), announces the availability of approximately $6 million total costs (subject to the availability of Federal funds) for one cooperative agreement to fund a project that will strengthen traceability and responsible sourcing in cotton supply chains in South Asia. These efforts will enhance the reputation of U.S.-produced cotton as a sustainable and labor-compliant alternative, further promoting export opportunities for American producers.The duration of the project will be 36 months from the award date. Applicants may propose a shorter period of performance in line with their proposed strategy. The objective of the project is to incentivize suppliers to adopt responsible labor and sourcing practices, improve verification of cotton origin, and reduce the risk of forced-labor-tainted goods entering the U.S. market.* Project outcomes will be developed by the applicant.Questions regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Forecast may be emailed to [email protected]; 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.
Better Tools for Fair Cotton: Traceability Solutions to Protect U.S. Supply Chains from Chinese Forced Labor
Open
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Other
Cooperative Agreement
Others
2026-07-17