Department of Labor Announces Competition to Study Traditionally Underserved Communities

On March 16, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced a competition that will award funding for researchers to study how traditionally underserved communities are currently assisted by federal labor policies, protections, and programs (“DOL PPP”) (Release Number 21-442-NAT). The study is designed to help the DOL understand the impact of DOL PPP on those communities traditionally underserved because of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, income, geography, immigrant status, veteran status, disability, and other reasons. Researchers will focus on existing data to analyze barriers in accessing services and gaps in knowledge.  The DOL expects selected researchers to also suggest pragmatic solutions.  Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Evaluation, Alexander Hertel-Fernandez, commented that the competition “is a way to support this administration’s commitment to equity, and to encourage scholars – especially emerging scholars – to center equity issues in their research.”