Grants

1. Next-Generation Biomaterial Textiles

Build awareness, understanding, and interest in next-generation biomaterial textiles among New York designers, manufacturers, consumers, and other industry stakeholders. Projects must include hands-on experiences that allow participants to wear, fabricate, test, or work directly with next-generation materials.

What we’re looking for:

• Workshops, courses, demonstrations, exhibitions, shows, or other outreach programs

• Programs that explain the benefits, performance, applications, limitations, and costs of next-generation materials

• Projects that help overcome barriers to adoption related to unfamiliar appearance, feel, performance, or price

• Opportunities for designers, manufacturers, consumers, or other participants to interact directly with the materials

2. Degumming and Decortication of Bast Fibers

Advance localized processing of New York-grown hemp and flax for woven and nonwoven textile applications.

What we’re looking for:

• Practical methods for separating fiber from harvested plant stalks

• Degumming processes that remove lignin, pectin, hemicellulose, and other natural plant binders before spinning

• Small-scale, regional, distributed, or cooperative processing models

• Approaches that preserve long-staple fiber greater than three inches

• Pilot processes that move New York-grown bast fibers toward yarn, textile, fashion, interiors, or home-goods applications

3. Farmer Readiness and Wool Fiber Quality

Help New York farmers understand wool as a potential additional revenue stream and adopt practices that improve its quality, processing readiness, and marketability.

What we’re looking for:

• Education on vegetative-matter reduction, shearing, skirting, sorting, handling, storage, and preparation for processing

• Train-the-trainer programs, educational modules, transition kits, or regional demonstrations

• Equipment that protects fiber quality, including fiber-protecting feeders, skirting tables, sorting stations, and storage systems

• Shared-equipment, mobile-service, or regional training models

• Pilot programs that measure improvements in fiber quality, labor efficiency, processing readiness, or market value

4. AI and Small-Scale Technology for Fiber Sorting

Develop accessible, affordable tools that improve fiber assessment, sorting, grading, traceability, and intake for small farms and regional fiber networks.

What we’re looking for:

• AI-assisted or digital tools for identifying fiber type, color, micron range, staple length, contamination, or intended use

• Affordable sorting and grading systems suitable for small-scale or distributed operations

• Digital intake, inventory, traceability, or lot-matching tools

• Technology that supports the aggregation of compatible fiber from multiple farms

• Pilot projects that combine new technology with field testing, user training, and clear quality standards

5. Environmental and Regenerative Wool Systems

Document, measure, or advance environmentally beneficial land-management and fiber-production practices on New York farms, particularly for small-scale operations.

What we’re looking for:

• Documentation of regenerative agriculture and land-stewardship practices currently used by New York livestock farms producing wool

• On-farm pilot projects related to grazing management, soil health, biodiversity, water management, or other measurable environmental outcomes.

• Practical tools, benchmarks, or datasets that help farms measure and communicate environmental practices

• Livestock farm viability studies examining relationships among environmental practices, labor requirements, production costs, wool value, and living-wage goals

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 businesses and organizations, including but not limited to farmers, researchers, manufacturers, designers, brands, retailers, and educators, for projects conducted primarily in New York. Applicants must apply through an eligible entity. 

NYFIC welcomes participation from all eligible applicants, including military veterans, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, 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.