Securing Fair and Reliable Critical Mineral Supply Chains

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), operating under the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), has issued a forecast notice regarding a forthcoming funding opportunity titled "Securing Fair and Reliable Critical Mineral Supply Chains." ILAB is a specialized agency that addresses international labor issues, including child labor and forced labor, with the goal of ensuring global labor standards and fair practices. This grant initiative reflects the department’s continued focus on combatting labor violations in sectors crucial to the U.S. economy and global supply chains. This opportunity will support projects that aim to counteract egregious labor practices such as child labor and forced labor in the critical mineral supply chains. These practices disadvantage American workers and businesses by undermining fair competition and ethical sourcing. The initiative targets improvements to policy frameworks, monitoring systems, and enforcement mechanisms related to labor practices in mineral-rich regions, specifically focusing on Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By doing so, the program intends to enhance supply chain integrity and promote fair labor practices internationally. The funding opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating that substantial involvement by ILAB is anticipated during project execution. A total program funding pool of $9,000,000 will be allocated across two anticipated awards, each ranging between $4,000,000 and $5,000,000. The estimated project start date is December 31, 2025. However, this is a forecasted opportunity and not an open announcement—USDOL has clarified that they are not currently accepting applications. The anticipated announcement is expected on August 15, 2025, with a projected application due date of September 26, 2025. Eligible applicants include commercial, international, educational, or nonprofit organizations, as well as faith-based and community-based organizations and public international organizations (PIOs). There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity. ILAB emphasizes that detailed project outcomes will be developed post-award through its stakeholder engagement and strategy validation processes. This aligns with their approach of collaborative project design with awardees and relevant stakeholders. For further information or clarifications, prospective applicants may contact Sue Levenstein via email at OGM_ILAB@dol.gov. However, ILAB notes that due to the forecasted nature of the opportunity, limited information is currently available. Applicants are encouraged to use the subscription option on Grants.gov for updates related to this forecasted FOA. Applicants should be aware that while the official application process is not yet open, early preparation and engagement may be beneficial. As the funding will support efforts in complex international environments involving high-risk labor practices, interested organizations should be equipped with experience in international labor standards enforcement, policy reform, and local engagement in the identified countries.