Deadline: October 6, 2025
The H&M Foundation Global Change Award 2026 is now open for applications, inviting changemakers worldwide to submit groundbreaking ideas that can revolutionise the fashion industry and accelerate the shift towards a circular, planet-positive future.
With 10 winners set to be selected, this opportunity offers innovators not only financial support but also global exposure, mentorship, and access to powerful networks.
About the Global Change Award
Launched by the H&M Foundation, the Global Change Award (GCA) is one of the world’s leading challenges for sustainable fashion. Its mission is to identify and support disruptive ideas and innovations that can transform the way fashion is produced, consumed, and disposed of.
The GCA empowers visionaries to reimagine materials, processes, production models, and consumer behaviours, helping to reshape fashion into an industry that respects both people and the planet.
Application Deadline
- Deadline: October 6, 2025
Focus Areas of the Global Change Award 2026
The H&M Foundation is searching for innovators with ideas that fall within one or more of the following categories:
1. Wildcards
Unexpected and impactful ideas that may cut across multiple areas or redefine the fashion industry in radical ways.
2. Sustainable Materials & Processes
Innovations such as:
- Low-energy materials
- Recycled fibres
- Alternative or eco-friendly wet processes
- Finishes, treatments, and new construction techniques
3. Responsible Production
Ideas that enable:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy use
- Predictive modelling
- On-demand production
- Advanced waste management
- Zero-waste manufacturing solutions
4. Mindful Consumption
Disruptive concepts that reshape how fashion is used, including:
- Innovative recycling solutions
- Garment care and life extension methods
- Circular business models
- Demand-reshaping strategies
Benefits of Winning the Global Change Award 2026
Winners of the H&M Foundation Global Change Award 2026 will gain access to unmatched resources and opportunities, including:
- €200,000 grant funding (unconditional, flexible for project development).
- A one-year Changemaker Programme: A tailor-made accelerator involving immersive in-person weeks, mentorship from global experts, and collaboration with industry leaders such as Accenture, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and The Mills Fabrica.
- Global exposure and recognition: Winners are celebrated on international stages, such as Stockholm City Hall, and introduced to industry stakeholders worldwide.
- Access to the GCA Community: A peer-to-peer global network of changemakers, researchers, brands, suppliers, and investors, designed to help winners scale their innovations and connect with future collaborators.
Eligibility and Nomination Process
The Global Change Award welcomes applications from innovators across the globe. To participate:
- Nominators play a key role. They include universities, research institutes, government bodies, non-profits, brands, suppliers, and previous GCA alumni.
- The Mills Fabrica is an official nominator and currently accepts proposals from changemakers seeking nomination.
Why You Should Apply
This is more than a funding opportunity. It’s an invitation to join a powerful movement transforming fashion into a force for good. By applying, innovators gain visibility, credibility, and the resources to scale globally, while contributing to solving one of the world’s most urgent sustainability challenges.
Key Information at a Glance
- Organiser: H&M Foundation
- Opportunity: Global Change Award 2026
- Grant Amount: €200,000
- Winners: 10 selected changemakers
- Deadline: October 6, 2025
How to Apply
Interested innovators can take the next step today:
Need Support?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to strengthen your chances of winning this prestigious opportunity.
