#Associations

2022-03-03

Graduate scholarships from AATCC Foundation are now open

Calling all grad students and prospective grad students! Are you wanting to attend grad school but you’re worried about the cost? AATCC has you covered! The AATCC Foundation offers thousands of dollars to incoming and continuing graduate students pursuing textile-related degrees. There are two dedicated graduate fellowships as well as scholarships open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Access all funding from a single application due March 31, 2022.

AATCC Foundation also offers undergraduate scholarships using the same application.

Learn more or apply at https://aatcc.org/foundation/#fellowships.

Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship

AATCC Foundation Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship is a $5,000 fellowship for a Ph.D. candidate at the Clemson University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Applicants should intend to focus on fibrous and polymeric materials. Preference is given to graduating seniors or master’s students continuing into the Ph.D. program, but others will be considered. The fellowship is named in honor of two former AATCC Presidents and Clemson alumni, Roland Connelly and Warren Perkins.

Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship

This fellowship provides $5,000 to a Ph.D. candidate in Fiber and Polymer Science at the North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles. Preference is given to master’s students continuing to the Ph.D. program. The fellowship honors four NC State alumni who have also dedicated time and energy to AATCC and AATCC Foundation. Perry Grady is retired associate dean emeritus at the College of Textiles and worked for many years to help gain donations and develop scholarships for the Foundation. Peter Hauser, AATCC president and chair of AATCC Foundation 2013-2014, is a retired professor in the Textile Engineering and Color Chemistry Department at the College of Textiles. Nelson Houser was an AATCC president and initial chair of the AATCC Foundation 1997-1998. John Y. “Jack” Daniels was AATCC executive vice president 1996-2018 and president of AATCC Foundation from its establishment in 1997 to his retirement in 2018.

Darsey Family Scholarship

The Darsey Family Scholarship is a $1,500 scholarship available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a textile- and/or fashion-related program at a US university with an AATCC student chapter.

Kanti & Hansa Jasani Family Scholarship

The Kanti and Hansa Jasani Family Textile Scholarship offers three $1,000 scholarships to Indian students, specifically Indian citizens with student visas, who are attending a US university. Undergraduate AND graduate students may apply. Three scholarships are available for each academic year.

Support Textile Education

You can support the future of the textile industry, honor a mentor—or both—with a donation to AATCC Foundation at https://aatcc.org/foundation/#donate.

Students, make sure you apply by the March 31st deadline so you don’t miss out on all of these scholarship opportunities!

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

Business situation weakens slightly, but the industry stays cautiously optimistic

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published the results of its 39th Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS), conducted from 14 to 22 July 2026 among companies along the entire global textile value chain. Worldwide, 10% of participants rated their business situation as good, 53% as satisfactory and 37% as bad — a balance of -26pp, down from -17pp in May but still well above the 2023 lows. All regions are now in negative territory, from South Asia at -3pp to North & Central America at -58pp.

Italian textile machinery orders show quarterly recovery in Q2 2026

In the period between April and June 2026, order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers showed mixed but encouraging signals for the second half of the year. The order index at constant prices stood at 46.6 points (taking 2021=100 as the base year), showing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the same quarter of 2025. This trend was largely due to the contraction recorded in the domestic market, which fell by 25% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.