Foundations of Mycelium Materials
Understand how mycelium composites are grown, what governs their properties and where they can and cannot replace conventional materials.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Foundations of Mycelium Materials
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 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)
- 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 program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This course explains what mycelium composites are and, just as importantly, what they are not. You will follow the full process of growing a composite: choosing a species and strain, preparing a substrate of suitable particle size, controlling the conditions for colonization, and then stopping growth through inactivation, drying and pressing. Each step is linked to the properties that result, such as density, stiffness, water uptake and surface quality.
With many start-ups and brands now promoting mycelium as a replacement for plastics, foams and boards, designers and engineers need to judge those claims with confidence. The course suits designers, engineers and material scientists who want a solid technical foundation without a laboratory background. Live sessions combine explanations with case examples and simple test protocols you can reproduce in a small workspace. In the final project you prepare a material brief that matches a mycelium composite recipe to a defined application, stating clearly where it can and cannot replace a conventional material.
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 biomaterials and advanced materials, product and packaging design, construction products, research and innovation consultancy.
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:
Understand how mycelium composites are grown, what governs their properties and where they can and cannot replace conventional materials.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Mycelium composites explained; Species and strain selection.
- Put them into practice: Substrates and particle size; Growth conditions and colonization.
- Apply everything to a real case: Inactivation, drying and pressing; Properties, limitations and applications.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Describe each stage of mycelium composite production and its purpose.
- Relate species, substrate and process choices to final material properties.
- Identify typical growth failures and their likely causes.
- Compare mycelium composites with foams, boards and plastics honestly.
- Write a material brief linking a recipe to an application.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Designers, engineers and material scientists.
4.2Entry requirements
No specialist background is required, although basic familiarity with materials or design is helpful. Exercises can be followed with simple household or studio equipment.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Junior material developer at a biomaterials start-up
- Designer specifying mycelium composites for products
- Technical assistant in a materials innovation lab
- Sustainability advisor evaluating alternative materials
- Engineer screening biobased materials for new applications
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Mycelium composites explained | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Species and strain selection | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Substrates and particle size | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Growth conditions and colonization | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Inactivation, drying and pressing | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Properties, limitations and applications | 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.
- What a mycelium composite is
- Mycelium as a natural binder
- Composites versus pure mycelium materials
- Common species in material work
- Strain behavior and growth speed
- Sourcing reliable cultures
- Lignocellulosic substrates
- Effect of particle size on density
- Substrate moisture and packing
- Temperature, humidity and gas exchange
- Monitoring colonization
- Common growth failures
- Why growth must be stopped
- Drying methods and their effects
- Cold and heat pressing
- Mechanical and physical properties
- Known limitations and failure modes
- Realistic application areas
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 material brief matching a mycelium composite recipe to a specific application, with expected properties and stated limitations.
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 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 and short exercises in each module. The final material brief is 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
Course Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course 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).
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: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.
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 Foundations of Mycelium Materials?
No specialist background is required, although basic familiarity with materials or design is helpful. Exercises can be followed with simple household or studio equipment.
How is Foundations of Mycelium Materials 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 and short exercises in each module. The final material brief is reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A material brief matching a mycelium composite recipe to a specific application, with expected properties and stated limitations.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course 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 Foundations of Mycelium Materials?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Product Design.
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).