Master in Mycelium Product, Fashion and Material Innovation
An innovation-focused program taking mycelium materials from studio experiments to products, fashion collections and viable ventures.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Master in Mycelium Product, Fashion and Material Innovation
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Master
- 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)
- 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 program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: February 1, 2027 to November 19, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 25, 2027. Following intake: October 4, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This innovation-focused program takes mycelium materials from studio experiments to products, fashion collections and viable ventures. Across twelve modules you study material innovation strategy and mycelium material platforms, then apply them to product design, leather and textiles, fungal color and surface design, and packaging. The second half of the program addresses testing, standards and certification, scaling production, business models, intellectual property, sustainability evidence and user research.
Many promising biomaterials fail not because of the material itself but because of gaps between design, production, evidence and market. This program brings those threads together, preparing you to lead innovation projects that are both creative and commercially grounded. It suits designers, innovation managers and founders with a prior course or diploma or relevant professional experience. Live sessions combine expert input, case analysis, workshops and critiques. In the capstone project you develop an innovation project for a mycelium-based product or collection, from material platform and prototypes to testing plan, business model, sustainability evidence and market validation.
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 consumer products and fashion, biomaterials industry, packaging, innovation and venture development.
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:
An innovation-focused program taking mycelium materials from studio experiments to products, fashion collections and viable ventures.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Material innovation strategy; Mycelium material platforms; Product design for grown materials; Mycelium leather and textiles.
- Put them into practice: Fungal color and surface design; Packaging innovation; Testing, standards and certification; Scaling production.
- Apply everything to a real case: Business models and intellectual property; Sustainability evidence and communication; User research and market validation; Capstone innovation project.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Develop material innovation strategies using technology readiness thinking.
- Design products, fashion items and packaging from mycelium platforms.
- Plan testing, certification and scale-up for new materials.
- Build business models and IP strategies for biomaterial ventures.
- Validate market demand and communicate sustainability with evidence.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Designers, innovation managers and founders.
4.2Entry requirements
A prior course or diploma in design or biomaterials, or relevant professional experience in design, innovation or business, is expected.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Innovation manager in materials or consumer goods
- Founder of a mycelium product or fashion venture
- Head of design at a biomaterials company
- Material innovation lead in a fashion brand
- Product development director for sustainable products
- Consultant on biomaterial commercialization
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Material innovation strategy | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 02 | Mycelium material platforms | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 03 | Product design for grown materials | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 04 | Mycelium leather and textiles | Foundations | 3 | 36 |
| 05 | Fungal color and surface design | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 06 | Packaging innovation | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 07 | Testing, standards and certification | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 08 | Scaling production | Practice | 3 | 36 |
| 09 | Business models and intellectual property | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 10 | Sustainability evidence and communication | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 11 | User research and market validation | Application & project | 3 | 36 |
| 12 | Capstone innovation project | 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.
- Innovation management for materials
- Technology readiness
- Portfolio strategy
- Rigid composites
- Flexible sheets and leathers
- Foams and fibers
- Briefs and concepts
- Prototyping
- Design for manufacture
- Leather production
- Textiles and composites
- Accessory and garment design
- Fungal dyes and pigments
- Surface treatments
- Color and finish libraries
- Protective packaging
- Brand packaging
- End-of-life systems
- Test planning
- Relevant standards
- Certification pathways
- Pilot production
- Quality and consistency
- Manufacturing partnerships
- Business model design
- Patents and licensing
- Funding strategies
- LCA and evidence
- Green claims regulation
- Brand storytelling
- User research methods
- Market testing
- Pricing validation
- Project framing
- Development and validation
- Final pitch and 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 mycelium product or collection innovation project with material platform, prototypes, testing plan, business model and market validation.
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 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 sessions, practical and strategic exercises in each module, and a capstone innovation 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
Master Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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 February 1, 2027 is open until January 25, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $3,350
- Full payment before the start: $2,680 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($1,340) and 10 monthly installments of $201.
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 Master in Mycelium Product, Fashion and Material Innovation?
A prior course or diploma in design or biomaterials, or relevant professional experience in design, innovation or business, is expected.
How is Master in Mycelium Product, Fashion and Material 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 sessions, practical and strategic exercises in each module, and a capstone innovation project reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A mycelium product or collection innovation project with material platform, prototypes, testing plan, business model and market validation.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Master 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.
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).