Opportunity Information: Apply for NOI ILAB 19 04
This opportunity, titled "Evidence to Action: Increasing the Impact of Research to Mobilize Efforts against Forced Labor," was issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (USDOL ILAB) as a Notice of Intent (NOI), not an open solicitation. In practical terms, it was an advance heads-up that ILAB planned to release a formal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) later, and that applications were not being accepted at the time of the notice. The NOI explains what ILAB expected to fund, the likely scale of the award, and the intended timeline, but it does not include the full requirements, application instructions, or attachments that would normally appear in an FOA.
If funding was available, ILAB intended to make one competitive award in the form of a cooperative agreement, with total costs up to $3,000,000. A cooperative agreement generally signals a more hands-on relationship with the federal funder than a standard grant, meaning the agency typically anticipates substantial involvement in project direction, coordination, or oversight during implementation. Only one award was expected, so the program design implied a single lead organization would be responsible for delivering the project globally or across multiple contexts, rather than a portfolio of smaller awards.
The central purpose of the project was to make forced labor research more usable and more used in real-world decision-making, specifically to support the elimination of forced labor worldwide. The notice frames this as an "evidence to action" approach: not just producing research for academic value, but generating findings that directly inform policies, corporate practices, and program choices. The target audiences for this evidence include decision-makers in three major spheres: the private sector (such as companies and industry groups), governments (national or subnational policymakers and enforcement bodies), and civil society (including NGOs, worker organizations, and advocacy networks).
ILAB laid out two main outcomes the project was meant to achieve. The first outcome was increased knowledge about the nature and extent of forced labor in places or sectors where research is scarce. That emphasis matters because forced labor risks are often concentrated in hard-to-measure contexts, including informal work, complex supply chains, and populations that may be hidden or fearful of participating in studies. The second outcome was increased mobilization of decision-makers to take action, meaning the project was expected to translate evidence into practical uptake: commitments, policy changes, program redesign, improved targeting of resources, or other measurable steps taken by influential stakeholders.
A key technical requirement in the notice is that the project must use the International Conference of Labor Statisticians (ICLS) Guidelines Concerning the Measurement of Forced Labor. This signals that ILAB wanted research outputs grounded in internationally recognized statistical standards rather than ad hoc definitions or inconsistent indicators. Using the ICLS guidelines would help ensure the resulting studies are comparable, credible, and useful for government and institutional actors who rely on standardized measurement approaches.
In terms of deliverables, the project was expected to produce at least two rigorous and informative research studies. The notice does not specify the exact countries, sectors, or methodologies, but the language suggests ILAB wanted high-quality studies designed to fill major evidence gaps and stand up to scrutiny from policymakers and technical audiences. Beyond publishing research, the project also needed to "regularly engage" key decision-making stakeholders throughout the process. That requirement implies an iterative model: engaging stakeholders early to shape research questions, keeping them involved as findings emerge, and working with them on interpretation and application so that the final outputs are positioned for adoption rather than sitting on a shelf.
The administrative details included in the source data identify this as a discretionary opportunity under CFDA 17.401, with the Department of Labor as the agency and ILAB as the sponsoring bureau. The notice lists eligible applicants broadly as "Others," with a note to see additional eligibility guidance once the FOA is released. That kind of eligibility category often indicates that a range of entity types could potentially apply, such as nonprofits, universities, research institutions, NGOs, or possibly for-profit entities depending on the final FOA language, but the NOI itself does not lock that down.
Finally, the notice provided a projected timeline and guidance on where to track the official announcement. ETA's Office of Grants Management anticipated publishing the FOA in late June (with dates subject to change) and planned to make awards by November 29, 2019. Interested organizations were directed to monitor Grants.gov because that would be the official distribution channel for the FOA, and the notice explicitly stated that no email or paper copies would be provided. It also pointed readers to ILAB grant webpages for general guidelines and examples from previous cooperative agreement applications, which is useful for organizations preparing in advance even before the FOA is released.Apply for NOI ILAB 19 04
- 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 "Evidence to Action: Increasing the Impact of Research to Mobilize Efforts against Forced Labor" 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 May 07, 2019.
- 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 $3,000,000.00 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Evidence to Action: Increasing the Impact of Research to Mobilize Efforts against Forced Labor."
2) Which federal agency issued this notice?
The notice was issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB).
3) Is this an open funding opportunity that accepts applications right now?
No. The document described is a Notice of Intent (NOI), not an open solicitation. Applications were not being accepted at the time of the notice.
4) What does it mean that this is a Notice of Intent (NOI)?
It means ILAB was providing an advance heads-up that it planned to release a formal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) later. The NOI outlines what ILAB expected to fund, a likely award size, and an intended timeline, but it does not include full requirements, detailed instructions, or attachments that would typically appear in an FOA.
5) What type of award was ILAB intending to make?
If funding was available, ILAB intended to make one competitive award in the form of a cooperative agreement.
6) What is a cooperative agreement in this context?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates a more hands-on relationship with the federal funder than a standard grant. The agency typically anticipates substantial involvement in project direction, coordination, or oversight during implementation.
7) How many awards did ILAB expect to make?
Only one award was expected.
8) What was the anticipated total funding amount?
The anticipated ceiling was total costs up to $3,000,000.
9) What is the overall purpose of the project described in the notice?
The purpose was to make forced labor research more usable and more used in real-world decision-making, in support of eliminating forced labor worldwide. The notice frames this as an "evidence to action" approach focused on research that directly informs policy and practice.
10) Who are the intended users of the evidence produced by the project?
The notice identifies decision-makers across three spheres: the private sector (companies and industry groups), governments (national or subnational policymakers and enforcement bodies), and civil society (NGOs, worker organizations, and advocacy networks).
11) What outcomes was the project intended to achieve?
ILAB described two main outcomes: (1) increased knowledge about the nature and extent of forced labor in places or sectors where research is scarce, and (2) increased mobilization of decision-makers to take action based on evidence.
12) What does "evidence to action" mean here?
It means the work is not limited to producing research for academic purposes. The research is expected to be designed and communicated in ways that lead to practical uptake, such as influencing policies, corporate practices, program choices, targeting of resources, commitments, or other measurable steps by influential stakeholders.
13) Does the notice specify which countries or sectors must be studied?
No. The notice does not specify exact countries, sectors, or methodologies, but it indicates ILAB wanted studies that fill major evidence gaps and can withstand scrutiny from policymakers and technical audiences.
14) How many research studies were expected as deliverables?
The project was expected to produce at least two rigorous and informative research studies.
15) Is there a required measurement or technical standard the research must follow?
Yes. The notice states the project must use the International Conference of Labor Statisticians (ICLS) Guidelines Concerning the Measurement of Forced Labor.
16) Why does the notice emphasize use of the ICLS forced labor measurement guidelines?
Using the ICLS guidelines signals that ILAB wanted outputs grounded in internationally recognized statistical standards rather than inconsistent or ad hoc definitions. This helps make results more comparable, credible, and useful for government and institutional audiences that rely on standardized measurement approaches.
17) Beyond research publications, what else was the project expected to do?
The project was expected to regularly engage key decision-making stakeholders throughout the process, implying an iterative approach: engaging stakeholders early to shape research questions, keeping them involved as findings emerge, and working with them on interpretation and application so results are positioned for adoption.
18) What kinds of contexts did the notice highlight as difficult but important for forced labor research?
The notice points to forced labor risks concentrated in hard-to-measure contexts, such as informal work, complex supply chains, and populations that may be hidden or fearful of participating in studies.
19) What is the CFDA number associated with this discretionary opportunity?
The opportunity is identified under CFDA 17.401.
20) Who was expected to lead the project if only one award was made?
Because only one award was expected, the design implied a single lead organization would be responsible for delivering the project globally or across multiple contexts, rather than multiple smaller awards.
21) Who was listed as eligible to apply in the notice?
The notice lists eligible applicants broadly as "Others," with a note to see additional eligibility guidance once the FOA is released.
22) Does the notice define exactly which organizations qualify under "Others"?
No. The NOI itself does not lock down eligibility details. It indicates that additional eligibility guidance would be provided in the FOA.
23) Where should interested organizations look for the official FOA?
Interested organizations were directed to monitor Grants.gov, which would be the official distribution channel for the FOA.
24) Would ILAB provide email or paper copies of the FOA?
No. The notice explicitly stated that no email or paper copies would be provided.
25) What timeline did the notice project for the FOA and awards?
ETA's Office of Grants Management anticipated publishing the FOA in late June (with dates subject to change) and planned to make awards by November 29, 2019.
26) Where else did the notice suggest applicants can find preparation resources?
The notice pointed readers to ILAB grant webpages for general guidelines and examples from previous cooperative agreement applications, which could help organizations prepare in advance before the FOA is released.
27) Does the NOI include full application instructions and requirements?
No. The NOI does not include the full requirements, application instructions, or attachments that would normally appear in the FOA.
28) What practical takeaway should organizations have from this NOI?
The practical takeaway is that this was advance notice of a planned FOA. Organizations were expected to track Grants.gov for the official announcement and use the NOI information to prepare for the later competitive process.
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