The CFDA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund are pleased to announce that the application for the 2026 Next Thread Initiative Designer Award is now live!

The CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative Designer Award will provide $3M over three years to independent American fashion brands and designers working to advance sustainable fashion. In 2026, the Initiative will award a total of $1M in individual awards, with CFDA determining award size by the scope of the proposed work and readiness to execute. Award winners exhibiting exceptional design or innovation can qualify for additional funding to further develop their efforts.

Envisioned by Lauren Sánchez Bezos, the CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative is a $6.25 million partnership between the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s CFDA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund to advance innovation and education in sustainable fashion. Earlier this year, the 2026 Next Thread Scholarship Award recipients were selected, and the Initiative looks forward to announcing them soon.

The Next Thread Initiative is looking for designers who see sustainability not as a constraint, but as one of today’s most important creative challenges. Awards will range from $100,000 to $300,000. The strongest submissions will show genuine engagement with fashion’s climate and nature footprint.

Prospective applicants must first submit proof that they meet the eligibility requirements, along with a Brand Book, by Monday, August 31. Applicants selected to advance will then be invited to submit a full application.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Brand is founder-led, i.e. operated or creatively directed by the founding designer, with fewer than 30 full-time employees (including founder), not including vendors, contractors, or freelance consultants
• The business is legally registered and headquartered in the United States
• Brand specializes in fashion apparel, accessories, jewelry, or fashion textiles/materiality including knitwear, fiber and surface design
• Brand has been actively in business for at least two years and currently generates $100,000 or more in annual gross revenue 
• Participating designer(s)/founder(s) are legally authorized to work in the United States
• Designer(s)/founder(s) can travel to New York for key in-person engagements and events

To learn more about the CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative Designer Award, including the full brief and application link, please visit The Next Thread Initiative, and direct any questions to TheNextThread@CFDA.com.