Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing by Developing the Next Generation of America’s Shipbuilders through International Partnerships | FOA ILAB 25 45

Opportunity Information: Apply for FOA ILAB 25 45

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) is offering a single cooperative agreement of up to $8,000,000 (dependent on the availability of federal funds) to run a multi-year technical assistance project aimed at strengthening the long-term future of U.S. shipbuilding. The central idea is to help revitalize domestic manufacturing capacity in this sector by building durable international partnerships that bring proven shipbuilding expertise back into the U.S. workforce and training ecosystem. Rather than funding physical shipyard expansion, the opportunity is focused on people, skills, and training systems: expanding the number of skilled U.S. workers and increasing the number and capability of U.S. training institutions that can reliably teach shipbuilding trades.

The project is designed as a 4-year (48-month) effort and is expected to create an international shipbuilding fellowship and training development program. In practice, that means setting up structured pathways for U.S. workers to train in allied countries that already have advanced shipbuilding methods and strong training pipelines. Alongside the overseas training component, the grant emphasizes the development of specialized, internationally recognized trade curricula so that what is learned abroad can be translated into formalized training that can be delivered repeatedly inside the United States. The curriculum element is important because it is meant to outlast the fellowship itself, enabling U.S. schools and training centers to scale shipbuilding instruction after the grant period, using training content aligned with high-performing international standards.

Partnership building is a core requirement of the concept. Applicants are expected to connect U.S.-based partners such as career and technical education programs, community colleges, and training centers and, where feasible, shipyards with counterpart institutions abroad. The targeted partner countries specifically include Canada, Finland, Italy, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with flexibility to involve other countries as appropriate. The overall structure points toward a "train the workforce and train the trainers" approach, where international collaboration is used both to upgrade hands-on worker skills and to strengthen domestic instructional capacity through modern curricula, methods, and institutional linkages.

This funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary and will be awarded as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement in project direction, coordination, or oversight compared to a standard grant. The assistance listing is under CFDA 17.401, and the funding activity category is labeled "Other." Only one award is anticipated, so the selected recipient will likely serve as the lead coordinator responsible for managing partner relationships, designing and running the fellowship model, overseeing curriculum development, and ensuring the project delivers measurable outcomes tied to workforce expansion and training capacity.

Eligibility is broad. ILAB indicates that commercial organizations, international organizations, educational entities, and nonprofit organizations may apply. This includes community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, and public international organizations (PIOs). Faith-based organizations are explicitly encouraged to apply, and ILAB states that the Department will not discriminate in selection or administration based on an organization's religious character or affiliation, or on religious exercise (or lack thereof), consistent with federal nondiscrimination principles for these programs.

Key administrative details include the opportunity number (FOA ILAB 25 45), an original closing date of September 26, 2025, an award ceiling of $8,000,000, and an expected number of awards of one. The opportunity was created on August 27, 2025. While the default performance period is 48 months from the award date, applicants are allowed to propose a shorter period of performance if it fits their strategy, suggesting ILAB is open to different implementation approaches as long as they credibly achieve the fellowship, partnership, and curriculum goals.

• The Bureau of International Labor Affairs in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing by Developing the Next Generation of America’s Shipbuilders through International Partnerships" 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 2025-08-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-09-26. (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 $8,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for FOA ILAB 25 45

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