Grants

The New York Fashion Innovation Center (NYFIC) is launching the Adaptive Fashion Grants, a new funding opportunity that will award six grants of up to $10,000 to advance inclusive, sittable, wearable, and adaptive fashion innovation across New York State.

For the purposes of these grants, sittable and wearable fashion is defined as from a disability perspective, universally flattering. In practice, that means each piece should look just as good seated as standing (and vice versa), and should work equally well across different body types, including those who use wheelchairs, mobility devices or have limb differences.

The program supports the development and implementation of apparel, manufacturing solutions, and business models that improve fashion experiences for people with disabilities while creating opportunities for New York businesses and organizations.

GRANT AREAS OF FOCUS

Projects should demonstrate the potential to make clothing more sittable, wearable, accessible, functional, and inclusive—for example, by designing garments that work beautifully and are visually appealing for people whether standing, sitting, or navigating everyday life in different ways. Proposals will also be evaluated on their potential to strengthen New York's inclusive and adaptive fashion ecosystem by supporting innovation in design, manufacturing, brands, retail, and entrepreneurship.

NYFIC welcomes proposals that advance adaptive fashion through innovations such as:

• Inclusive, sittable, wearable, or adaptive apparel and accessories

• Manufacturing processes

• Materials and product development

• Retail and customer experience

• Inclusive design and product innovation

These examples are intended to illustrate the types of projects the program seeks to support and are not intended to limit innovative approaches.

Strong applications will demonstrate that they design with, not just for, the intended audience.

FUNDING DETAILS

• Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per recipient

• In addition to funding, grant recipients will join a collaborative cohort of innovators with access to relevant mentorship, testing and manufacturing equipment, facilities, and other resources to advance their projects.

ELIGIBILTY

• NYFIC accepts applications from New York State–based designers, businesses, and organizations for projects conducted primarily in New York. Applicants must apply through an eligible entity. 

• NYFIC welcomes participation from all eligible applicants, including people with disabilities, military veterans, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. 

• Applicants may submit one application per round. 

• Collaborative applications are allowed; however, the maximum award per project is $10,000. 

• Political and religious uses of funds are not allowed. 

• RPI and NYFIC members and their organizations should refer to NYFIC’s Grants Conflict of Interest Policy for eligibility information. 

PROGRAM TIMELINE

Applications are anticipated to open in January 2027.

Additional program information, application materials, and important dates will be posted on the NYFIC website as they become available.