The Department of Labor is committed to expanding job quality and creating equitable pathways to safe, stable, good-paying jobs that allow workers the right to organize. One of the Secretary of Labor's goals for the U.S. workforce is to build a modern, inclusive workforce. As outlined in the Department's FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, strategic goal 2 is to “Ensure Safe Jobs, Essential Protections, and Fair Workplaces.” MSHA’s role in accomplishing this objective is to “prevent fatalities, disease, and injury from mining, and secure safe and healthful working conditions for America’s miners.” The Secretary of Labor, through MSHA, may award grants to state, tribal, and territorial governments (including the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) to assist them in developing and enforcing state mining laws and regulations, improve state workers’ compensation and mining occupational disease laws and programs, and improve safety and health conditions in the nation’s mines through Federal-State coordination and cooperation.

Once designated by the Governor, the following organizations are eligible to apply:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Special district governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)