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

The CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative is specifically focused on promoting design that expands access to fashion without harming nature and climate, challenging students to put forward design portfolios that address fashion’s biggest climate and nature impacts.

The Next Thread Initiative Scholarship Award will disperse $1.5 million over the next three years. The award was envisioned by Lauren Sánchez Bezos. In its inaugural year, $500,000 will be awarded to full-time undergraduate rising juniors and rising seniors, and graduate students pursuing sustainable fashion design.

All digital applications must be complete and uploaded by April 20th, 2026.

Successful finalists will be notified the week of April 27th, invited to virtual presentations in May, and selected scholarship recipients notified by June 2026.

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