DRL Transshipment Supply Chain Tracing

The Transshipment Supply Chain Tracing funding opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of State through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. This program is designed to address challenges related to forced labor in global supply chains, particularly those involving transshipment practices that obscure the origin of goods. The initiative aligns with broader U.S. government efforts to enforce trade laws and promote labor rights internationally, especially in countries that maintain Agreements on Reciprocal Trade with the United States. The funding is delivered through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the Department of State throughout the project lifecycle. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen the ability of governments, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to detect, analyze, and respond to transshipment practices used to evade forced labor import restrictions. Projects are expected to identify high-risk supply chains, analyze trade flows, and develop actionable strategies to prevent goods produced with forced labor from entering global markets. A central focus is improving transparency and accountability across supply chains, while equipping stakeholders with tools to monitor and mitigate risks effectively. Funding under this opportunity supports a range of activities, including research and analysis of supply chains, stakeholder engagement, development of monitoring protocols, and worker-focused interventions such as training and access to grievance mechanisms. The program also encourages collaboration with unions, worker organizations, and civil society groups to enhance labor rights awareness and enforcement. Allowable costs include programmatic activities, staffing, travel, equipment, and indirect costs in accordance with federal guidelines, while certain restrictions apply, such as prohibitions on funding activities that promote migration caravans or provide support to specific restricted entities. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and includes U.S.-based and foreign-based nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit organizations. Applicants must have a valid Unique Entity Identifier and maintain active registration in SAM.gov. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, and applications are limited to one proposal per organization, although entities may participate as subrecipients on multiple proposals. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or MyGrants and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 application form, budget documentation, and a detailed proposal narrative of up to 15 pages. Applicants must clearly describe their project design, objectives, implementation plan, monitoring and evaluation strategy, and sustainability approach. Additional required materials include a budget justification, key personnel descriptions, and letters of support from partners. All submissions must comply with formatting and language requirements, including English language and specified document standards. Applications are reviewed based on criteria such as program quality, organizational capacity, and alignment with stated objectives. The Department of State evaluates proposals individually rather than comparatively and considers factors such as financial stability, past performance, and the ability to achieve meaningful impact. Successful applicants will be notified via email, and awards are subject to availability of funding. The anticipated performance period is up to 24 months, with an expected project start date of September 30, 2026. The application deadline is August 27, 2026, and late submissions will not be accepted. This funding opportunity is not explicitly stated as recurring.

Ensure strong alignment with program objectives demonstrate capacity to analyze supply chains and include measurable outcomes and stakeholder engagement strategies