Master in Emerging Fungal Threats and Innovation
A forward-looking programme on climate-driven emergence, resistance and the research frontiers of genomics, AI diagnostics, vaccines and new antifungals.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Master in Emerging Fungal Threats and Innovation
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medical, Veterinary & One Health Mycology. 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)
- 10 months (40 weeks) · 432 hours in total · 12 modules of 36 hours · 40 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: 1 February 2027 to 19 November 2027. Enrolment closes on 25 January 2027. Following intake: 4 October 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
The Master in Emerging Fungal Threats and Innovation is a forward-looking programme on why fungal disease is rising up the global health agenda and what science is doing about it. Students begin with the global burden of fungal disease and the role of climate change in emergence, then study the evolution of antifungal resistance, Candida auris and other emerging yeasts, emerging moulds and fungal pandemics in wildlife. The second half explores the research frontiers: pathogen genomics, AI and digital diagnostics, mycobiome research, vaccines and immunotherapies, and new antifungal discovery.
The field is moving quickly, and organisations need people who can assess new evidence critically and turn it into well-designed research or strategy. This master suits researchers, public health leaders and innovators with a background in mycology or infectious disease. The tutor is selected for active experience in research and innovation. The programme culminates in a research proposal and capstone project, developed under tutor supervision and presented for review.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in one health, useful in areas such as academic and institutional research, public health agencies, biotechnology and diagnostics industry, research funding and policy organisations.
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:
A forward-looking programme on climate-driven emergence, resistance and the research frontiers of genomics, AI diagnostics, vaccines and new antifungals.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Global burden of fungal disease; Climate change and fungal emergence; Evolution of antifungal resistance; Candida auris and emerging yeasts.
- Put them into practice: Emerging moulds; Fungal pandemics in wildlife; Pathogen genomics; AI and digital diagnostics.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mycobiome research; Vaccines and immunotherapies; New antifungal discovery; Research proposal and capstone.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Critically evaluate evidence on emerging fungal threats and their drivers.
- Explain the evolution and spread of antifungal resistance.
- Assess the potential and limits of genomics, AI and mycobiome research.
- Review the pipeline of vaccines, immunotherapies and new antifungals.
- Write a competitive research or innovation proposal on a fungal threat.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Researchers, public health leaders and innovators.
4.2Entry requirements
A previous Fungaris course or diploma, or professional or research experience in mycology, microbiology or infectious disease, is expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research associate in emerging infectious diseases
- Public health strategy and preparedness lead
- Innovation manager in diagnostics or biotechnology
- Research programme manager or grants officer
- Scientific adviser to funding or policy bodies
- Science communicator on fungal threats
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Global burden of fungal disease | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Climate change and fungal emergence | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Evolution of antifungal resistance | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Candida auris and emerging yeasts | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Emerging moulds | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Fungal pandemics in wildlife | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Pathogen genomics | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | AI and digital diagnostics | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Mycobiome research | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Vaccines and immunotherapies | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | New antifungal discovery | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Research proposal and capstone | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| Total | 432 |
12 modules × 36 hours = 432 hours: 80 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.
- Estimating global burden
- Under-diagnosis and access gaps
- Priority pathogen lists
- Thermal adaptation
- Range shifts and extreme weather
- Evidence and uncertainty
- Evolutionary drivers of resistance
- Clinical and environmental selection
- Fitness costs and spread
- Candida auris clades and spread
- Other emerging yeasts
- Laboratory and control challenges
- Mucorales and Fusarium
- Resistant Aspergillus
- Novel mould pathogens
- Chytridiomycosis
- White-nose syndrome
- Lessons for human health
- Genome sequencing of pathogens
- Population genomics
- Genomics in outbreak response
- Image-based tools
- Spectral and sequence AI
- Validation and regulation
- Mycobiome methods
- Host-mycobiome interactions
- Translational questions
- Antifungal immunity
- Vaccine platforms
- Antibody-based approaches
- New targets and agents
- Development pathways
- Access and equity
- Research question and design
- Proposal writing
- Capstone presentation and review
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 research or innovation proposal and capstone project addressing one emerging fungal threat.
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 11 hours a week for 40 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 seminars, critical appraisal exercises in each module and a research proposal and capstone 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 One Health 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
Master Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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).
- A short CV or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 1 February 2027 is open until 25 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £2,520
- Full payment before the start: £2,016 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£1,008) and 10 monthly instalments of £151.
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 Master in Emerging Fungal Threats and Innovation?
A previous Fungaris course or diploma, or professional or research experience in mycology, microbiology or infectious disease, is expected.
How is Master in Emerging Fungal Threats and Innovation taught?
Live online, in 12 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live seminars, critical appraisal exercises in each module and a research proposal and capstone project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A research or innovation proposal and capstone project addressing one emerging fungal threat.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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.
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.
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).