This year, the CFDA Scholarship Fund marks its 30th anniversary — three decades of sustained investment in the future of American design. Established in 1996, the program has remained a consistent source of support for designers at formative stages of their education. 

Over these three decades, the Scholarship Fund has awarded approximately $5.9 million through 415 scholarships, advancing emerging talent across the country and reinforcing CFDA’s commitment to stewarding American creative practice. This year marks the largest amount ever awarded to students amounting to $1.52 million in total funding. 

Today, as we celebrate the milestone, the Scholarship Fund operates as a cohesive portfolio of opportunities made possible through the generosity of partners. While each scholarship reflects a distinct focus or lens, all awards are grounded in shared values, evaluation standards, and a collective commitment to sustaining American design.

Scholarship specializations include womenswear, menswear, unisex, accessories, textiles, knitwear and jewelry. 

Third-year undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit their applications by Friday, April 10, 2026 11:59 PM ET. 

CFDA x Veronica Beard Creative Futures (March 23rd Deadline)

The CFDA x Veronica Beard Creative Futures Scholarship reflects the design philosophy of Veronica Beard, a brand known for elevated wardrobe essentials that balance polish, versatility, and real-world wearability.

In its second year, the Veronica Beard scholarship recognizes four undergraduate juniors enrolled in a fashion design or textiles program excelling in specific categories: denim, knits & sweaters, soft wovens, and tailoring. A recipient from each category will receive a $50,000 scholarship and a paid summer internship at Veronica Beard’s New York City corporate headquarters. 

Applicants are invited to submit work that demonstrates a clear point of view and a thoughtful approach to making. To be considered, applicants must be fully available to complete the design challenge, participate in the paid summer internship at Veronica Beard’s New York headquarters and attend the mandatory virtual internship orientation on May 11.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 23 at 11:59 PM ET.

Carolina Herrera & CFDA Women in Design

The Carolina Herrera & CFDA Women in Design Scholarship supports outstanding women pursuing careers in fashion design by recognizing two emerging talents that demonstrate both creative innovation and excellence in craftsmanship. 

Each recipient will be awarded a $40,000 scholarship to support tuition, materials, portfolio development, and senior projects. In addition, each recipient will participate in a summer internship with the Carolina Herrera design team at the brand’s Manhattan headquarters, gaining hands-on experience within a leading American luxury fashion house.

Applicants will be selected based on: 

1. Strength and originality of their portfolio 
2. Demonstrated creative vision and technical ability
3. Incorporation of sustainable practices in design and product development
4. Financial need

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 10 at 11:59 PM ET.

Melvin and Monique Rodriguez Family Foundation X CFDA Scholarship

The Melvin and Monique Rodriguez Family Foundation X CFDA Scholarship is a three-year fund from 2026–2028 established by the Melvin and Monique Rodriguez Family Foundation in partnership with the CFDA. In 2026, the fund will distribute 10 scholarships to full-time undergraduate students (BFA/BA) in their junior year.

Applicants are invited to explore hair, including its textures, densities, colors, and patterns, as a conceptual foundation for creative expression. The selection committee will prioritize students from minority-serving institutions and designers whose perspectives are informed by the African and Afro-Latin diaspora, as well as those inspired by regional and cultural heritage.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 10 at 11:59 PM ET.

The PVH Foundation x CFDA Scholarship

The PVH Foundation x CFDA Scholarship will provide one undergraduate award of $25,000 and two graduate awards of $25,000 to enrich students’ ongoing design practice. 

Grounded in identity, sustainability, and heritage, the PVH Foundation x CFDA Scholarship invites rising juniors to examine how fashion carries meaning across time through construction, narrative, and responsibility and asks students not only what they design, but where it comes from and what it carries forward. As part of the PVH Foundation x CFDA Scholarship, recipients will be invited to engage directly with the PVH archive, spending dedicated time studying garments, materials, and brand histories across PVH’s portfolio.

The graduate track is designed for Graduate (MA/MFA) fashion students with a minimum of one semester left until graduation whose work demonstrates a defined point of view and the ability to translate identity, sustainability, and heritage into cohesive, future-facing design propositions. This pathway supports designers who can move from concept to structure articulating not only what they design, but how and why those decisions function within contemporary fashion systems.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 10 at 11:59 PM ET.

Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship Award

Geoffrey Beene became a pioneer of American fashion, renowned for the originality of his designs, innovative use of fabrics, geometric cuts, and unerring modernity.

The Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship Award identifies the most exemplary and innovative womenswear design student undertaking a full-time graduate study at a leading American college or university. This unique award challenges students to look beyond conforming to common trends and the practicality of business in order to advance the art form, investigating experimentation of process, material, and form. 

One recipient will receive a $65,000 award that can be applied to tuition to defray costs of final year thesis, and educational expenses. 

Applicants will be selected based on a comprehensive review of submitted digital portfolio and application materials. Finalists will be invited to present their portfolio to a Selection Committee composed of representatives from the CFDA and Geoffrey Beene Foundation concluding with the award determination in June 2026.

The deadline to apply is Friday, April 10 at 11:59 PM ET.

Main image courtesy of 2024 CFDA Scholarship Recipient Joelle Helena.

Prospective applicants can access the 2026 Scholarship Fund brief here.