Opportunity Information: Apply for NOI ILAB 21 16
This opportunity is a Notice of Intent from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), specifically the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), indicating that the agency plans to release a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a project focused on labor rights and protection in Mexico's chile pepper and tomato sectors. The notice is not an open solicitation and applications are not being accepted at this time. In other words, it is an early heads-up that a competitive funding opportunity may be coming, but the formal requirements, application package, and submission instructions will only be available once the FOA is officially published.
If funded, ILAB intends to make a single award using a cooperative agreement, which typically means the government expects to have a more active role in project oversight and implementation than it would under a standard grant. The planned project aim is to reduce child labor, forced labor, and other forms of labor exploitation affecting workers in supply chains tied to chile peppers and tomatoes. The geographic focus is on key producing areas in Mexico: Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Chihuahua. The notice frames the approach as worker-centered, emphasizing capacity building that strengthens worker voice and expands the use of protection mechanisms for workers in these sectors. Practically, that signals a likely emphasis on empowering workers to understand and exercise their rights, improving access to reporting and remediation channels, and reinforcing systems that can prevent and respond to exploitation.
Financially, the notice lists an award ceiling of up to USD 7,000,000, with an expectation of one total award. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, with the funding instrument listed as a cooperative agreement, and it is associated with CFDA number 17.401. Eligibility is broadly described as "Others," with further clarification expected in the eventual FOA, so interested organizations would need to wait for the formal posting to confirm who can apply (for example, nonprofits, NGOs, universities, international organizations, or other entities, depending on how ILAB defines eligibility in the FOA).
In terms of timeline, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Office of Grants Management anticipated publishing the FOA around September 9, 2021, and anticipated making awards around December 9, 2021, though the notice explicitly states these dates may change. The most important action item for potential applicants is to monitor Grants.gov, because that is where the FOA would be posted if and when it is released, and the agency states it will not provide email or paper copies. The notice also points interested parties to ILAB grant resources and examples of prior cooperative agreement applications on the Department of Labor website, which can help organizations get familiar with typical ILAB expectations while waiting for the official FOA.
Overall, the notice signals a forthcoming, single-award, up-to-$7M cooperative agreement intended to curb severe labor exploitation in specific Mexican agricultural sectors by strengthening worker voice and expanding practical mechanisms that protect workers, but it does not yet provide the detailed program rules needed to apply.Apply for NOI ILAB 21 16
- The Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Project to Reduce Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Other Forms of Labor Exploitation of Workers in the Chile Pepper and Tomato Sectors in Mexico" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 17.401.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 26, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by NOTE This is a Notice of Intent. An announcement is not related to this notice. We are not accepting applications at this time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $7,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
FAQs: USDOL ILAB Notice of Intent - Mexico Chile Pepper and Tomato Sectors
1) What is this opportunity?
This is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). It signals that ILAB plans to release a future Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for a project focused on labor rights and protections in Mexico's chile pepper and tomato sectors.
2) Is this Notice of Intent an open grant solicitation?
No. The notice is not an open solicitation. It is an early notice that a competitive funding opportunity may be coming later, but the formal opportunity is not yet published.
3) Are applications being accepted right now?
No. Applications are not being accepted at this time. Application requirements and submission instructions would only be available after the FOA is officially published.
4) What agency is behind this planned funding opportunity?
The opportunity is from USDOL, specifically ILAB. The notice also mentions that the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) Office of Grants Management anticipated publishing the FOA.
5) What is the goal of the planned project?
The planned project aim is to reduce child labor, forced labor, and other forms of labor exploitation affecting workers in supply chains tied to chile peppers and tomatoes.
6) What sectors and supply chains are in scope?
The focus is on the chile pepper and tomato sectors, specifically labor exploitation affecting workers in supply chains tied to these commodities.
7) Where is the geographic focus of the project?
The geographic focus is on key producing areas in Mexico: Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Chihuahua.
8) What approach does ILAB indicate it is looking for?
The notice frames the approach as worker-centered, emphasizing capacity building that strengthens worker voice and expands the use of protection mechanisms for workers in these sectors.
9) What does "worker-centered" mean in this notice?
Based on the notice, it signals an emphasis on empowering workers to understand and exercise their rights, improving access to reporting and remediation channels, and reinforcing systems that can prevent and respond to exploitation.
10) How many awards does ILAB expect to make?
ILAB intends to make a single award (one total award), if funded.
11) What is the maximum funding amount?
The notice lists an award ceiling of up to USD 7,000,000.
12) What type of funding is anticipated (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
The planned funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
13) What does it mean that the award would be a cooperative agreement?
The notice indicates that a cooperative agreement typically means the government expects to have a more active role in project oversight and implementation than it would under a standard grant.
14) Is this discretionary or mandatory funding?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.
15) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The notice associates this opportunity with CFDA number 17.401.
16) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly as "Others." The notice indicates that further clarification is expected in the eventual FOA, so interested organizations would need to wait for the formal posting to confirm who can apply.
17) Does the notice say what types of organizations might qualify under "Others"?
The notice does not define eligibility beyond "Others," but it notes that the eventual FOA may clarify whether eligible applicants include groups such as nonprofits, NGOs, universities, international organizations, or other entities (depending on how ILAB defines eligibility in the FOA).
18) When was the FOA expected to be published?
The ETA Office of Grants Management anticipated publishing the FOA around September 9, 2021, but the notice states the dates may change.
19) When were awards expected to be made?
Awards were anticipated around December 9, 2021, though the notice explicitly states these dates may change.
20) Are the dates in the notice guaranteed?
No. The notice explicitly states the anticipated dates may change.
21) Where will the FOA be posted if it is released?
The notice instructs interested parties to monitor Grants.gov, because that is where the FOA would be posted if and when it is released.
22) Will ILAB provide the FOA by email or mail?
No. The notice states the agency will not provide email or paper copies. Applicants are expected to use Grants.gov for access.
23) What should interested applicants do now?
The main action item in the notice is to monitor Grants.gov for the official FOA publication and to review ILAB grant resources while waiting for the formal announcement.
24) Are there resources to help organizations prepare before the FOA is released?
Yes. The notice points to ILAB grant resources and examples of prior cooperative agreement applications on the Department of Labor website to help organizations become familiar with typical ILAB expectations.
25) Does the Notice of Intent include the full application package and submission instructions?
No. The notice states that the formal requirements, application package, and submission instructions will only be available once the FOA is officially published.
26) Does this notice confirm that funding will definitely be awarded?
No. The notice indicates an intent to release a future FOA and an intent to make a single award if funded, but it does not provide a finalized solicitation or guarantee an award.
27) What labor issues are explicitly mentioned as targets for reduction?
The notice explicitly mentions child labor, forced labor, and other forms of labor exploitation.
28) What kinds of worker protections does the notice imply may be strengthened?
It implies expanding the use of protection mechanisms for workers, including practical emphasis on worker voice, access to reporting channels, access to remediation, and strengthened systems to prevent and respond to exploitation.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification)
Next opportunity: FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase II Release 1
Previous opportunity: Small Grant Opportunity for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Alumni
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for NOI ILAB 21 16
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (NOI ILAB 21 16) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Climate Adaptation and Landscape-Scale Ecosystem Restoration for Military Installation Resilience Apply for HQ003421NOFOECO0002 Funding Number: HQ003421NOFOECO0002 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $77,000,000 |
| Strengthening Mexican Inspectorate for Labor Enforcement Apply for FOA ILAB 21 14 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 21 14 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Catalyzing Civil Society Movement to Achieve SDG 8.7: Ending Child Labor Apply for NOI ILAB 21 03 Funding Number: NOI ILAB 21 03 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Conservation and Climate Resilience Partnerships with Land Trust Alliance Apply for HQ0034 21 NOFO LAN 0003 Funding Number: HQ0034 21 NOFO LAN 0003 Agency: Department of Defense Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $196,000 |
| DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement Apply for SFOP0008351 Funding Number: SFOP0008351 Agency: Department of State, Office of Global Criminal Justice Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Environmental Natural Resource Technical Support OASN Apply for W9126G 21 2 SOI 5630 Funding Number: W9126G 21 2 SOI 5630 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $75,033 |
| DRL Internet Freedom Annual Program Statement Apply for SFOP0008370 Funding Number: SFOP0008370 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Request for Information - Regional Central and Eastern Europe Democracy Support Program Apply for 7200AA21R00087 Funding Number: 7200AA21R00087 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $65,000,000 |
| Project to Reduce Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Other Forms of Labor Exploitation of Workers in the Chile Pepper and Tomato Sectors in Mexico Apply for FOA ILAB 21 16 Funding Number: FOA ILAB 21 16 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| Library of Congress - Of the People: Widening the Path: CCDI – Libraries, Archives and Museums Apply for 030ADV21R0215 Funding Number: 030ADV21R0215 Agency: Library of Congress Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Library of Congress - Of the People: Widening the Path: CCDI – Higher Education Apply for 030ADV21R0227 Funding Number: 030ADV21R0227 Agency: Library of Congress Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $60,000 |
| Library of Congress - Of the People: Widening the Path: CCDI – Artist or Scholar in Residence Apply for 030ADV21R0696 Funding Number: 030ADV21R0696 Agency: Library of Congress Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Promoting the Voice and Leadership of Women Activity Apply for 72027821RFA00007 Funding Number: 72027821RFA00007 Agency: Agency for International Development, Jordan USAID-Amman Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $27,000,000 |
| Project to Increase Compliance with Mexican Labor Law and International Labor Standards by the Tomato and Chile Pepper Sectors in Mexico Apply for NOI ILAB 21 17 Funding Number: NOI ILAB 21 17 Agency: Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Global Biological Threat Reduction and Border Security Apply for SFOP0008390 Funding Number: SFOP0008390 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Oceans - Int. Environmental - Scientific Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $8,500,000 |
| Global Biological Threat Reduction and Border Security Apply for SFOP0008399 Funding Number: SFOP0008399 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Security-Nonproliferation Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $8,500,000 |
| 21.PMWRA.22November2021.Unsolicited.RFI Apply for SFOP0008400 Funding Number: SFOP0008400 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs - WRA Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2022 Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Apply for SFOP0008403 Funding Number: SFOP0008403 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| FY 2022 Community College Initiative Program Apply for SFOP0008402 Funding Number: SFOP0008402 Agency: Department of State, Bureau Of Educational and Cultural Affairs Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $5,275,000 |
| Environmental Injustice and the Impact of the Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events on People with Disabilities Apply for NCD 22 01 Funding Number: NCD 22 01 Agency: National Council on Disability Category: Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $185,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "NOI ILAB 21 16", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.