The U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund, created with Ralph Lauren as founding partner, is a national grant program designed to support apparel manufacturers across the United States.
Inspired by the success and impact of the Fashion Manufacturing Initiative, the Fund underscores Council of Fashion Designers of America and Ralph Lauren’s shared commitment to domestic manufacturing and its importance to the greater fashion industry.
The program strengthens the capacity, resilience, and competitiveness of American manufacturers by supporting investments in modern equipment, expanded services, and workforce development—helping ensure a more sustainable and future-ready U.S. fashion manufacturing ecosystem.
Grant Structure
The U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund is structured as a partially matching financial grant. The program may cover up to 80% of approved project costs, with recipients contributing the remaining 20%, encouraging shared investment and long-term sustainability.
Eligible Grant Uses
Grant funding is intended to support investments that strengthen operational capacity, innovation, and long-term business sustainability for participating contract manufacturers. Eligible use categories may include, machinery, technology, capital improvements to support expansion, investments that advance sustainable strategies or processes, and domestic relocation to support growth. Final eligible uses will be confirmed prior to the launch of each application cycle.
Eligibility
The program is expected to be open to U.S.-based apparel contract manufacturers that meet program requirements. Eligibility criteria may include operating a fashion manufacturing business within the United States, providing apparel production services, demonstrating the capacity to complete the proposed project, and meeting minimum operational and compliance requirements. Factories must be actively in business for a minimum of 2 years and be able to show a minimum of financials.
Fashion brands on not eligible to apply. Final eligibility criteria will be outlined in the official application guidelines.
Launch & Timeline
The first application round for the U.S. Fashion Manufacturing Fund is expected to launch in Q1–Q2 2027. The program will consist of three funding rounds running from 2027 through 2029.
Please fill out the inquiry form here to receive updates once available closer to program launch.
