Diploma in Living and Responsive Materials
A research-led diploma on living mycelium, self-healing and sensing materials, engineered living materials and their responsible use.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Diploma in Living and Responsive Materials
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Diploma
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycelium Design & Architecture. A Fungaris program 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)
- 6 months (24 weeks) · 192 hours in total · 8 modules of 24 hours · 24 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to June 25, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: April 12, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This research-led diploma explores materials that are alive, self-healing or responsive, with mycelium at the center. You will study the move from biobased to living materials, how to keep mycelium alive in objects and structures, and current research on self-healing, responsive and sensing materials. Further modules introduce fungal electronics and engineered living materials, followed by biosafety, ethics and regulation.
The frontier of biodesign is shifting from using dead biomass toward materials that grow, sense and repair. Much of this work is experimental, and many claims are not yet proven, so practitioners need both imagination and critical judgment. The diploma suits experimental designers, architects and researchers with some basic knowledge of biodesign or materials. Live sessions present research, discuss methods and encourage rigorous critical reading. In the final module you develop a speculative prototype project: a designed and partially tested prototype or concept for a living or responsive material, with a clear explanation of its basis in evidence and its biosafety considerations.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in design & architecture, useful in areas such as materials research, architecture and design research, biotechnology collaborations, cultural and exhibition projects.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
A research-led diploma on living mycelium, self-healing and sensing materials, engineered living materials and their responsible use.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: From biobased to living materials; Keeping mycelium alive; Self-healing materials.
- Put them into practice: Responsive and sensing materials; Fungal electronics; Engineered living materials.
- Apply everything to a real case: Biosafety, ethics and regulation; Speculative prototype project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish biobased, living and engineered living materials.
- Plan methods to keep mycelium alive in designed objects.
- Evaluate research on self-healing and sensing materials critically.
- Address biosafety, ethical and regulatory questions in proposals.
- Develop and document a speculative living material prototype.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Experimental designers, architects and researchers.
4.2Entry requirements
Some basic knowledge of biodesign, materials or architecture is expected, ideally from an introductory course. Interest in reading research is essential.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Experimental designer in living materials
- Research assistant in biodesign labs
- Architect exploring living architecture
- Innovation consultant on emerging materials
- Creative technologist for exhibitions
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | From biobased to living materials | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 02 | Keeping mycelium alive | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 03 | Self-healing materials | Foundations | 3 | 24 |
| 04 | Responsive and sensing materials | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 05 | Fungal electronics | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 06 | Engineered living materials | Practice | 3 | 24 |
| 07 | Biosafety, ethics and regulation | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| 08 | Speculative prototype project | Application & project | 3 | 24 |
| Total | 192 |
8 modules × 24 hours = 192 hours: 48 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.
- Biobased versus living
- Research landscape
- Design opportunities
- Conditions for survival
- Containment and monitoring
- Living objects
- Healing mechanisms
- Fungal repair research
- Measuring healing
- Moisture and light response
- Sensing materials
- Design applications
- Electrical signals in fungi
- Measurement methods
- Critical evaluation
- Synthetic biology basics
- Fungal genetic tools
- Programmed functions
- Containment levels
- Ethical frameworks
- Regulatory landscape
- Prototype development
- Testing and documentation
- Presentation
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A speculative prototype or concept for a living or responsive material, with evidence basis and biosafety considerations.
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 instructor 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 8 hours a week for 24 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
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, critical reading and design exercises in each module, and a final prototype project reviewed by the instructor.
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 instructor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Design & Architecture school coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The instructor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Diploma Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization 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 enrollment
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 résumé or a description of your experience in the field.
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $1,490
- Full payment before the start: $1,192 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($596) and 6 monthly installments of $149.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program 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 canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment 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 Diploma in Living and Responsive Materials?
Some basic knowledge of biodesign, materials or architecture is expected, ideally from an introductory course. Interest in reading research is essential.
How is Diploma in Living and Responsive Materials taught?
Live online, in 8 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, critical reading and design exercises in each module, and a final prototype project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A speculative prototype or concept for a living or responsive material, with evidence basis and biosafety considerations.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Diploma Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognizes them depends on that organization and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Diploma in Living and Responsive Materials?
The natural next step is Master in Biodesign and Mycelium Materials.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program 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 installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).