FORECAST · COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
Better Tools for Fair Cotton: Traceability Solutions to Protect U.S. Supply Chains from Chinese Forced Labor
- Expected deadline
- Not stated
- Who can apply
- Others
- Award range
- Up to $6.0 million
- Expected awards
- 1
- Total program funding
- $6.0 million
- Your own money required
- No cost sharing or matching required
- Opportunity number
- FOA-ILAB-26-42
- Posted
- Jul 17, 2026
- Assistance listing
- 17.401
More on who can apply
Eligible applicants include any commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organizations, including any faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, or public international organizations (PIOs). Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of con
What it funds
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 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.
Open the official notice on Grants.gov ↗What to do next
- This is a forecast: the agency expects to post the full notice later. Open it on Grants.gov and subscribe there to be told when it posts.
- Get your SAM.gov registration ("all awards") and Grants.gov account active now; both take time.
- Use the forecast's award range and eligibility to decide whether to prepare.
- Watch for the notice; the dates here are estimates and can change.
New to this? Applying for a federal grant, step by step · Register to apply · How to read the notice · Write the narrative · Build the budget · Agency contact: OGM_ILAB@dol.gov
From Grants.gov's official daily extract of Oct 25, 2026. The notice on Grants.gov and its attachments are what count. UX Contract is independent and not a government website.