The Next Thread Initiative Scholarship Award
Overview
The CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative Scholarship Award will disperse $1.5 million over the next three years. The award was envisioned by Lauren Sánchez Bezos. In 2026, the award’s inaugural year, $500,000 will be awarded to full-time undergraduate rising juniors and rising seniors (BFA/BA), and graduate students (MFA/MA) pursuing sustainable fashion design.
There is currently no universally accepted definition of “sustainable fashion.” The term is used in different ways across different concepts, including environmental improvement, labor practice, human rights, and cultural consideration. 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. Applicants are challenged to put forward design portfolios that address fashion’s biggest climate and nature impacts.
The CFDA x Bezos Earth Fund Next Thread Initiative scholarships provide one-to-two-year awards to support a scholar’s academic and creative journey. Funding is disbursed directly to the college or university at the start of each academic year to cover tuition and mandatory fees. In addition, scholars will directly receive a stipend at a level set by the Next Thread Scholarship Committee, to be used toward materials and supplies, and to support thesis and studio expenses.
Scholarship Brief
To view the 2026 Next Thread Scholarship brief, download the PDF here.
Key
Key Program Details
For any and all questions, please reach out to our team at TheNextThread@CFDA.com.
Am I eligible for this scholarship?
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be pursuing sustainable fashion design or a directly related field and meet one of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled full-time as a sophomore in a Bachelor’s degree program at an American college/university, and on track to be a rising junior in Fall 2026 with an expected graduation date of Spring 2028.
- Currently enrolled full-time as a junior in a Bachelor’s degree program at an American college/university, and on track to be a rising senior in Fall 2026 with an expected graduation date of Spring 2027.
- Currently enrolled, or planning to be enrolled, full-time as a first-year Master’s student at an American college/university, with an expected graduation date of Spring 2027 or Spring 2028.
When is the application deadline?
The 2027 scholarship application details will be updated here once the application opens!
For reference, the 2026 application deadline was Friday, April 24th, 2026.
Where do I apply?
The 2027 scholarship application details will be updated here once the application opens!
When do I find out if I am selected as a recipient of the scholarship?
The 2027 scholarship application details will be updated here once the application opens!
For reference, in the 2026 program cycle, successful finalists will be notified during the Week of April 27th, invited to virtual presentations in May, and will be requested to provide school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a headshot (personal portrait with the dimensions of 1080×1350 pixels). Selected Scholarship Recipients will be notified by June 2026.