Clemson University received an $11 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund to pursue sustainable cotton research.

The approach shifts traits into the biology of cotton rather than adding them later in textile processing, potentially reducing resource use and environmental impact.

Collaborators from the University of Georgia are involved, building on Clemson’s prior advances in cotton transformation and eco-friendly fiber coloring.

Led by Chris Saski, the project aims to reinvent cotton by embedding desirable traits directly into the plant through gene editing, synthetic biology, and advanced breeding.

If successful, the research could strengthen South Carolina’s cotton economy and position the state at the forefront of sustainable textile innovation on a global scale.

Clemson officials say the project aligns with a land-grant mission of education, research, and service, with potential benefits for growers, manufacturers, and consumers by expanding fiber value and versatility.