Opportunity Information: Apply for DFOP0019659
Apply for DFOP0019659
- The Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting Responsible Investment and Rights-Respecting Production Models" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.345.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-31. (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 $2,959,500.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Promoting Responsible Investment and Rights-Respecting Production Models opportunity is a discretionary U.S. government funding program run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) under CFDA 19.345. It is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the funder expects to stay actively involved during implementation rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The overall purpose is to strengthen fair competition and ethical production by supporting responsible businesses that are being undercut by producers using forced labor, worker exploitation, or other abuses of internationally recognized labor rights. In practical terms, the program is meant to reduce the market advantage gained by companies that lower costs through rights violations and to reinforce supply chain models that respect workers and comply with international labor standards.
A central focus of the program is countering unfair competition tied to abusive labor practices. Projects under this opportunity are expected to help responsible firms and industries respond to, mitigate, and compete against production models that depend on coercion or exploitation. This could include efforts that improve transparency and accountability in supply chains, strengthen due diligence practices, support responsible sourcing approaches, or build tools and partnerships that make it harder for forced labor-linked goods to enter or dominate markets. The emphasis is on creating conditions where rights-respecting companies are not punished commercially for doing the right thing, and where abusive practices are less profitable and less sustainable.
Alongside the fair competition angle, the program also prioritizes worker upskilling and workforce development as a way to build resilient, rights-respecting supply chains. The description highlights working with leading foreign companies in critical industries to develop and strengthen private-sector workforce development practices and programs. That points toward initiatives like employer-led training systems, improved apprenticeship or skills certification pathways, stronger in-company training structures, or collaborations between employers, educators, and worker representatives that lead to better job quality and stronger labor standards. The underlying idea is that supply chain resilience is not just about logistics and sourcing options; it also depends on a skilled workforce with decent working conditions and credible protections for labor rights.
Only one award is expected under this opportunity, with an award ceiling of $2,959,500. The original application deadline is August 31, 2026, and the opportunity was created on August 14, 2026. Because it is structured as a single, relatively large cooperative agreement, applicants should expect a competitive process and should frame proposals around a clear, scalable program model, strong partnerships (especially with relevant private-sector actors), and measurable outcomes tied to labor rights protections and workforce development improvements.
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions. For-profit organizations may apply only if permitted by the applicable appropriation, and the notice specifies that this is not allowed for PD funds, which is a common restriction in certain State Department-related funding streams. The funding opportunity number is DFOP0019659, which applicants would use to find the full notice and submission requirements in official systems and to reference the opportunity in application materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Promoting Responsible Investment and Rights-Respecting Production Models.
Which U.S. government office is running this program?
The program is run by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 19.345.
What type of funding instrument is being used?
This opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement means the funder expects to be actively involved during implementation, rather than issuing funds and stepping back. Applicants should plan for ongoing engagement with DRL as the program is carried out.
What is the overall purpose of this program?
The purpose is to strengthen fair competition and ethical production by supporting responsible businesses that are being undercut by producers using forced labor, worker exploitation, or other abuses of internationally recognized labor rights.
What problem is the program trying to solve?
The program targets the market advantage gained by companies that lower costs through rights violations. It aims to reduce the profitability and sustainability of abusive labor practices and reinforce supply chain models that respect workers and comply with international labor standards.
What kinds of projects are expected to be competitive under this opportunity?
Projects are expected to help responsible firms and industries respond to, mitigate, and compete against production models that depend on coercion or exploitation. The notice points to work that improves supply chain transparency and accountability, strengthens due diligence, supports responsible sourcing, and builds tools and partnerships that reduce the ability of forced labor-linked goods to enter or dominate markets.
Is supply chain transparency part of the focus?
Yes. The description specifically mentions efforts that improve transparency and accountability in supply chains as an example of the kinds of activities this program expects.
Is due diligence work relevant to this opportunity?
Yes. Strengthening due diligence practices is explicitly mentioned as a relevant approach under this opportunity.
Does the program support responsible sourcing strategies?
Yes. The description includes supporting responsible sourcing approaches as an example of the work that could be supported.
Is the program specifically focused on forced labor?
Forced labor is a central concern. The program is meant to counter unfair competition tied to abusive labor practices, including forced labor, worker exploitation, and abuses of internationally recognized labor rights.
How does the program define the competition issue it is addressing?
The opportunity emphasizes that rights-respecting businesses can be commercially disadvantaged when competitors reduce costs through exploitation. The program aims to create conditions where responsible firms are not punished commercially for complying with labor rights, and where abusive models are less able to outcompete them.
Is workforce development part of the program, or is it only about supply chains and sourcing?
Workforce development is a stated priority alongside fair competition. The program highlights worker upskilling and workforce development to build resilient, rights-respecting supply chains.
What kinds of workforce development activities are suggested?
The notice points toward work such as employer-led training systems, improved apprenticeship or skills certification pathways, stronger in-company training structures, and collaborations among employers, educators, and worker representatives that improve job quality and strengthen labor standards.
Does the program emphasize partnerships with companies?
Yes. The description highlights working with leading foreign companies in critical industries, and also notes that applicants should frame proposals around strong partnerships, especially with relevant private-sector actors.
How many awards will be made?
Only one award is expected under this opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $2,959,500.
When is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is August 31, 2026.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on August 14, 2026.
Is this likely to be a competitive funding opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity anticipates a competitive process given that there is a single award and it is a relatively large cooperative agreement. The description also signals the importance of a clear, scalable model, strong partnerships, and measurable outcomes.
What does the notice suggest applicants emphasize in their proposals?
Based on the description provided, applicants should expect to frame proposals around a clear, scalable program model, strong partnerships (especially with private-sector actors), and measurable outcomes tied to labor rights protections and workforce development improvements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations), public and private educational institutions, individuals, public international organizations, and governmental institutions.
Can for-profit organizations apply?
For-profit organizations may apply only if permitted by the applicable appropriation. The notice specifies that this is not allowed for PD funds, which is described as a common restriction in certain State Department-related funding streams.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is DFOP0019659.
Why is the funding opportunity number important?
Applicants would use the number DFOP0019659 to find the full notice and submission requirements in official systems and to reference the opportunity in application materials.
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