Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing by Developing the Next Generation of Americas Shipbuilders through International Partnerships

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) within the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has announced a forecasted funding opportunity titled "Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing by Developing the Next Generation of America’s Shipbuilders through International Partnerships" under opportunity number FOA-ILAB-25-45. This opportunity, currently in the forecast stage, seeks to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding workforce through global collaboration and knowledge exchange. The total funding available for this program is approximately $8,000,000, with only one award anticipated. The funding will be disbursed via a cooperative agreement, indicating close involvement between ILAB and the recipient organization throughout the project’s duration. The purpose of this initiative is to launch a technical assistance project that will develop an International Shipbuilding Fellowship. The goal is to enhance the skills and expertise of U.S. shipbuilding professionals and training institutions. To accomplish this, the project will foster partnerships between U.S.-based educational institutions, training centers, registered apprenticeship programs, and shipyards with counterparts in countries recognized for their shipbuilding excellence, including Finland, Japan, Canada, and the Republic of Korea. These collaborations are intended to help U.S. workers acquire advanced technical knowledge and practices in the field of shipbuilding, ultimately revitalizing domestic manufacturing capabilities. While this is a notice of intent and not a formal announcement, the program is expected to be open for applications starting July 28, 2025, with submissions due electronically no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 2, 2025. The project is expected to start on December 29, 2025. The opportunity is non-rolling and not currently marked as recurring. ILAB has explicitly noted that applications are not being accepted at this time, emphasizing that the forecast is being released for early engagement and informational purposes. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad. Applicants may include commercial, international, educational, or non-profit organizations. This includes faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and Public International Organizations (PIOs). No matching funds are required from applicants. This inclusivity indicates ILAB’s intent to solicit a diverse range of partners with the capacity to manage international training initiatives and workforce development. The project falls under Assistance Listing 17.401 - International Labor Programs and has been classified under the "Other" category for funding activity, as further explained in the opportunity details. The forecasted date of announcement is July 21, 2025, and the estimated posting date for the full announcement is July 28, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to subscribe to updates via Grants.gov to receive official notices as the funding opportunity develops. For more information, questions regarding the funding opportunity forecast may be directed to Sue Levenstein at the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. While only limited details can be shared during this forecast stage, inquiries may be sent to OGM_ILAB@dol.gov or directed by phone at 202-693-2860. The primary source for additional updates is the ILAB website at http://www.dol.gov/ilab.