Self-Healing and Responsive Mycelium Materials
An introduction to research on mycelium materials that repair damage or respond to their environment, and what remains unproven.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Self-Healing and Responsive 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 introduces research on mycelium materials that can repair damage or respond to their environment. You will compare self-healing in natural and synthetic materials, study how living mycelium can regrow across cracks and joints, and review research on fungi in self-healing concrete. Moisture- and light-responsive behavior is examined, along with the methods used to test whether healing or response actually takes place.
Self-healing and responsive materials are attractive ideas, but much of the work remains at laboratory scale and many claims are still unproven. Understanding the evidence allows designers and researchers to identify where real opportunities lie and to avoid overstating results. The course suits material researchers and experimental designers interested in the frontier between biology and materials. Live sessions present studies, discuss methods and encourage critical reading of publications. In the final project you prepare a research and design proposal for a self-healing or responsive mycelium material, including a test method, success criteria and an honest assessment of current knowledge.
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, construction innovation, biodesign and experimental design, research and development 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:
An introduction to research on mycelium materials that repair damage or respond to their environment, and what remains unproven.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Self-healing in natural and synthetic materials; Regrowth and repair in living mycelium.
- Put them into practice: Fungi in self-healing concrete research; Moisture- and light-responsive behavior.
- Apply everything to a real case: Testing healing performance; Research gaps and design opportunities.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your instructor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Compare self-healing mechanisms in natural and synthetic materials.
- Explain how living mycelium can regrow across damage.
- Summarize research on fungi in self-healing concrete accurately.
- Design tests to measure healing or responsive behavior.
- Critically evaluate claims in research publications.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Material researchers and experimental designers.
4.2Entry requirements
A basic understanding of materials or biology is helpful. Interest in reading and discussing research papers is essential.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in living materials
- Experimental designer in a materials lab
- Material scientist exploring biohybrid materials
- Innovation scout for construction materials
- Science communicator on emerging materials
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Self-healing in natural and synthetic materials | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Regrowth and repair in living mycelium | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Fungi in self-healing concrete research | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Moisture- and light-responsive behavior | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Testing healing performance | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Research gaps and design opportunities | 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.
- Healing in biological tissues
- Healing mechanisms in polymers and concrete
- Defining healing performance
- Conditions for regrowth
- Repairing cracks and joints
- Limits of living repair
- How fungi may support crack closure
- Survival in alkaline environments
- Current research results
- Swelling and shrinking with moisture
- Light-sensitive behavior
- Designing with responsive materials
- Measuring recovered strength
- Imaging and observation
- Controls and reproducibility
- Reading research critically
- Unanswered questions
- Opportunities for designers
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 research and design proposal for a self-healing or responsive mycelium material with test method and success criteria.
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
Assessment includes participation in live sessions, critical reading exercises in each module and a final research proposal 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 Self-Healing and Responsive Mycelium Materials?
A basic understanding of materials or biology is helpful. Interest in reading and discussing research papers is essential.
How is Self-Healing and Responsive Mycelium Materials taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment includes participation in live sessions, critical reading exercises in each module and a final research proposal reviewed by the instructor.
What is the final project?
A research and design proposal for a self-healing or responsive mycelium material with test method and success criteria.
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 Self-Healing and Responsive 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).