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, has released Funding Opportunity Announcement FOA-ILAB-25-45 titled Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing by Developing the Next Generation of America’s Shipbuilders through International Partnerships. This program reflects ILAB’s mission to promote fair labor standards globally while ensuring American workers can compete on a level playing field. ILAB’s Office of Trade and Labor Affairs supports U.S. trade and labor policy by ensuring trade partners uphold labor commitments and by fostering technical collaborations that strengthen U.S. workforce competitiveness. This funding opportunity provides approximately $8,000,000 to support a single cooperative agreement for a four-year technical assistance project. The project aims to strengthen the future of the U.S. shipbuilding industry by drawing on expertise from international partners in countries such as Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Specifically, it will establish an international shipbuilding fellowship and training development program, enabling U.S. workers to gain hands-on training abroad and fostering the creation of internationally recognized trade curricula for U.S.-based training programs. The focus is on critical shipbuilding trades such as boilermakers, industrial electricians, steel workers, steamfitters, shipwrights, and welders. The cooperative agreement will be administered with significant involvement by ILAB. This includes collaboration on strategy, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation activities. The selected grantee must also conduct post-award needs assessments, refine project design, and coordinate with U.S. and foreign stakeholders. A sustainability strategy must be integrated into the project to ensure that outcomes continue after funding concludes. Applicants are required to propose measurable milestones and targets to demonstrate benefits to American workers and industry. Eligibility is broad and includes U.S. and non-U.S. entities such as nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions (public and private), minority-serving institutions, tribal organizations, for-profit organizations, and public international organizations. Exclusions apply to foreign governments and entities designated as ineligible by the U.S. government. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, although applicants may include leveraged resources. Faith-based organizations are eligible and encouraged to apply. Veterans and their spouses are given priority for participation in training funded under this program. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than September 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions regarding the FOA must be submitted no later than 10 business days prior to the closing date. Award decisions are expected between September 30 and December 31, 2025. The anticipated period of performance is 48 months from the date of award. Applications must include both a technical proposal and a cost proposal, along with required forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A. Technical proposals are limited to 50 pages, with strict formatting and attachment requirements. Applications will be evaluated on multiple criteria including problem analysis, project design, sustainability strategy, organizational capacity, partnerships, management plan, and budget reasonableness. Proposals will be scored out of 100 points, with the largest weight given to project strategy and sustainability. Additional factors such as risk review and geographic distribution may influence final selection decisions. ILAB reserves the right not to fund any applications if they do not meet program objectives. Questions about this funding opportunity must be directed to OGM_ILAB@dol.gov. The official amendment to this FOA, dated September 8, 2025, revises instructions related to the cost proposal, emphasizing the need for a detailed budget summary, line-item budgets, and accompanying narrative that proportionately support project strategy and expected outcomes .