Cotton in the Curriculum Grant Program

 

Cotton Incorporated is a not-for-profit company whose mission is to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton through research and promotion. Because cotton is one of the world’s most important fibers, the company sponsors the Cotton in the Curriculum (CIC) Grant Program to further understanding and knowledge about cotton among students preparing for careers in the apparel and textiles industry.

 

For the 2024 CIC Program, Cotton Incorporated is requesting proposals for three unique tracks:

 

 

Track 1: Cotton Education Innovation Grants

 

Funding Range: $10,000–50,000

 

Goal: Further understanding and knowledge about cotton among students preparing for careers in the apparel and textiles industry.

 

Objective: Provide funding to develop comprehensive educational programming that demonstrates a commitment to educating emerging professionals in cotton design and product development, and cotton’s role in the global textile and apparel supply chain.

 

Apply if you want to:

• Create immersive and multifaceted opportunities for students to learn about, and experience cotton
• Provide experiential and project-based learning opportunities
• Enhance the curriculum beyond what is currently offered and significantly integrate CottonWorks™ resources and information

 

 

Track 2: Cotton Materials Mini-Grants

 

Funding Range: Up to $7,500

 

Goal: Promote and encourage experience with cotton materials among apparel, fashion, and textile students.

 

Objective: Provide funding for the purchase of cotton-dominant raw materials, project supplies, and student awards to support textile, product, or fashion design, product development, and merchandising projects.

 

Apply if you want to:

• Enhance student learning and experience with cotton
• Reduce student burden to purchase raw materials and supplies
• Recognize outstanding student work
• Obtain funding support for cotton fabrics, materials, and supplies (not equipment)

 

 

Track 3: CottonWorks™ for Courses Grants

 

Funding Range: Up to $10,000

 

Goal: Promote and encourage the use of the CottonWorks™ website as an online open educational resource (OER) for fashion and textile faculty and students.

 

Objective: Provide funding to support the redesign or development of a specific course to adopt the CottonWorks™ website as the primary course material.

 

Apply if you want to:

• Develop shareable course materials to enhance learning about cotton
• Improve course materials that do not adequately cover course topics
• Integrate diverse learning media into a course

 

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Eligibility

 

U.S. university and college faculty in the fields of fiber, textiles, apparel, fashion design, or merchandising are invited to submit proposals. Preference will be given to programs that place a significant number of graduates in textiles, apparel, and related merchandising positions with U.S. brand and retail companies.

 

• Faculty project leads who submit a proposal to Track 1: Cotton Education Innovation Grant, may not submit a proposal to another track. Applicants may be listed as supporting faculty on more than one Track 1 proposal.
• Faculty project leads may submit to both Track 2: Cotton Materials Mini-Grants and Track 3: CottonWorks™ for Courses Grants.
• Faculty project leads may submit multiple proposals to both Track 2: Cotton Materials Mini-Grants and Track 3: CottonWorks™ for Courses Grants.

 

Multi-university proposals will not be considered. Faculty project leads and supporting faculty must be at the same college/university.

 

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How to Apply to Any Grant Track

 

Submit a proposal by accessing the submission portal. The application site will allow you to submit proposals to multiple tracks (per eligibility). The application includes a questionnaire about the project and will require you to upload a proposal file (PDF files only). A separate proposal is required for each grant track, and each grant track has specific requirements. Review the track descriptions and requirements on pages 3-13 of the RFP document.

 

Before applying for the grant, inform the contracts and grants office or the business office at your college or university.

 

Proposals must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, June 30, 2023.

 

• Proposal due: June 30, 2023
• Project leaders notified of funding decision: On or before October 2, 2023
• Project orientation meetings with project leaders: November 2023–January 2024

 

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Applicants are encouraged to visit Cotton Incorporated’s websites for additional information about Cotton Incorporated, cotton production, processing, products, and innovations (cottoninc.com and cottonworks.com). The program is administered by Cotton Incorporated under the Importer Support Program of the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.

 

Questions should be directed to [email protected].

 

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