The NSF-funded North Carolina Textile Innovation and Sustainability Engine (The Textile Engine) is seeking new use-inspired research partners to join our ecosystem through the FIBR-Tech Emergent Research Fund call for proposals.

In addition to the funding opportunity, The Textile Engine supports awardees with roadmaps that align resources across our ecosystem to support research while building plans and resources for transition to commercialization. Awardees will also have access to the broad complement of capabilities that exist within core Engines partners, such as fabrication and testing services, to support their research. Beyond the direct support awardees receive, they also have the opportunity to engage across The Textile Engine ecosystem and network with other research organizations, manufacturers and brands. 

The Textile Engine welcomes proposals from eligible organizations. This program will support individual awards of up to $75,000 for novel use-inspired research projects in the realm of textile innovation and sustainability; priority research areas are listed below. Projects from outside the priority topic areas may also be considered if they have the potential for high impact.