Mycelium Leather & Textiles
Explore how mycelium mats are grown, treated and finished into leather-like materials and textiles, and the challenges of durability and scale.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Mycelium Leather & Textiles
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Biotechnology & Biomaterials. 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 explores how mycelium is grown into flat mats and turned into materials that look and behave like leather or technical textiles. You compare surface fermentation on trays with submerged and hybrid approaches, then study the post-processing steps that matter most: plasticizing, crosslinking, tanning alternatives, coatings and backings. Each stage is linked to performance tests used in the leather and footwear industries, such as tear strength, flex resistance and color fastness.
Several high-profile mycelium leather ventures have scaled up, paused or pivoted, and the sector now values people who understand both the material science and the commercial lessons behind those moves. The course suits fashion designers, material scientists and textile technologists who want an evidence-based view of what mycelium leather can and cannot yet do, including how sustainability claims should be framed. Teaching is live and led by professionals from materials and fashion. For the final project you write a technical specification and test plan for a mycelium-based leather alternative aimed at a defined product.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in biotechnology, useful in areas such as Fashion and footwear, Textiles, Biomaterials, Automotive interiors.
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:
Explore how mycelium mats are grown, treated and finished into leather-like materials and textiles, and the challenges of durability and scale.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: The Mycelium Leather Landscape; Growing Mycelium Mats: Surface and Submerged Methods.
- Put them into practice: Plasticizing, Crosslinking and Tanning Alternatives; Coatings, Backings and Finishing.
- Apply everything to a real case: Performance Testing Against Leather Standards; Sustainability Claims and Commercial Lessons.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Compare surface and submerged methods for producing mycelium mats.
- Explain how plasticizing and crosslinking change material properties.
- Choose coatings and backings based on performance and sustainability.
- Plan performance tests against recognized leather standards.
- Evaluate sustainability claims for bio-based leather alternatives.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Fashion designers, material scientists and textile technologists.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior laboratory experience is required. Basic familiarity with textiles or materials is helpful but not essential.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Materials developer for alternative leather start-ups
- Material sourcing specialist for a fashion brand
- Textile technologist evaluating bio-based materials
- Product developer in footwear or accessories
- Sustainability analyst in the fashion industry
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 Mycelium Leather Landscape | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Growing Mycelium Mats: Surface and Submerged Methods | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Plasticizing, Crosslinking and Tanning Alternatives | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Coatings, Backings and Finishing | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Performance Testing Against Leather Standards | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Sustainability Claims and Commercial Lessons | 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.
- Leather, synthetics and bio-based alternatives
- Key ventures and their approaches
- What the market expects
- Tray-based surface cultivation
- Submerged and hybrid growth methods
- Controlling thickness and density
- Plasticizers and humectants
- Crosslinking chemistry
- Tanning-free stabilization routes
- Coatings and their trade-offs
- Textile backings and laminates
- Embossing, dyeing and finishing
- Tear, tensile and flex testing
- Abrasion and color fastness
- Benchmarking against leather standards
- Bio-based content and plastic coatings
- Framing sustainability claims
- Lessons from scale-up and pivots
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 technical specification and test plan for a mycelium-based leather alternative aimed at a defined product.
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 professor 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, short analytical exercises for each module and a final project reviewed by the professor.
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 professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Biotechnology at Fungaris 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 professor of 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. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of 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 Mycelium Leather & Textiles?
No prior laboratory experience is required. Basic familiarity with textiles or materials is helpful but not essential.
How is Mycelium Leather & Textiles 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, short analytical exercises for each module and a final project reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
A technical specification and test plan for a mycelium-based leather alternative aimed at a defined product.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Mycelium Leather & Textiles?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Biomaterials.
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.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
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).