Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management
How to collect, preserve, curate and digitise fungal specimens and cultures to recognised scientific and museum standards.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management covers the full life of a fungal specimen or culture, from the moment it is collected to its use by researchers decades later. You will learn why fungaria and culture collections underpin taxonomy, ecology and applied research, how to document collections properly in the field, and how to dry, preserve and store material so that morphology and DNA survive. The course then turns to labelling, databasing and data standards such as Darwin Core, and to digitisation and publication of records through GBIF.
Well-curated collections are irreplaceable scientific infrastructure, but many institutions and private collectors lack the skills or time to manage them to current standards. This course suits curators, researchers and serious collectors who want their material to remain usable and legally sound. It also explains loans, permits and the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing. In the final project you will design a curation and digitisation plan for a real or hypothetical collection, including workflows, data fields, storage conditions and compliance procedures.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as museums and botanical gardens, biodiversity informatics, research institutes, culture collections and biobanks.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
How to collect, preserve, curate and digitise fungal specimens and cultures to recognised scientific and museum standards.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: The Role of Fungaria and Culture Collections; Field Collecting and Specimen Documentation.
- Put them into practice: Drying, Preservation and Storage; Labelling, Databasing and Data Standards.
- Apply everything to a real case: Digitisation and Data Sharing via GBIF; Loans, Permits and Access and Benefit-Sharing.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Document fungal collections in the field to scientific standards.
- Dry, preserve and store specimens to protect morphology and DNA.
- Structure collection data using Darwin Core fields.
- Plan digitisation and publish datasets through GBIF.
- Handle loans, permits and access and benefit-sharing obligations correctly.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Curators, researchers and serious collectors.
4.2Entry requirements
Some experience collecting or identifying fungi is recommended. A computer is needed for database and digitisation exercises.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Fungarium or herbarium curator
- Collections assistant in a natural history museum
- Biodiversity data manager
- Culture collection technician
- Digitisation project officer
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Role of Fungaria and Culture Collections | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Field Collecting and Specimen Documentation | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Drying, Preservation and Storage | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Labelling, Databasing and Data Standards | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Digitisation and Data Sharing via GBIF | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Loans, Permits and Access and Benefit-Sharing | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Fungaria and their scientific value
- Living culture collections
- Vouchers, types and reference material
- Field notes and photographs
- Collecting kits and packaging
- Recording habitat and substrate
- Drying methods and temperatures
- Pest control and freezing
- Long-term storage conditions
- Label content and formats
- Collection management databases
- Darwin Core and data standards
- Imaging specimens and labels
- Georeferencing records
- Publishing datasets through GBIF
- Managing loans and exchanges
- Collecting and export permits
- Nagoya Protocol and ABS compliance
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A curation and digitisation plan for a real or hypothetical fungal collection, including data fields and compliance steps.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical module exercises on documentation and data, and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Science school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management?
Some experience collecting or identifying fungi is recommended. A computer is needed for database and digitisation exercises.
How is Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical module exercises on documentation and data, and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A curation and digitisation plan for a real or hypothetical fungal collection, including data fields and compliance steps.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Fungal Collections & Fungarium Management?
The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Fungal ScienceMushroom Microscopy for Beginners: Equipment and TechniquesA microscope opens a hidden world of spores, basidia and cystidia. Here is the equipment you need, the basic techniques and the safety rules for reagents.Read the article 
Fungal ScienceHow to Become a Mycologist: Paths, Skills and CareersFungi are moving from niche to mainstream, in food, materials, medicine and conservation. Here is how people actually build a career working with them.Read the article Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).