Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship

The Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship is a project of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. This initiative aims to foster the development of high-impact documentary films that explore the emerging field of psychedelics. By supporting original storytelling focused on the science, policy, business, and cultural dimensions of psychedelics, the fellowship intends to bring critical insights and narratives to a broader audience. It is particularly focused on elevating diverse filmmaker voices and groundbreaking stories that reflect the complexity and rapid evolution of the psychedelic space. The fellowship is structured around three distinct types of grants, each serving a different phase of documentary filmmaking. The Research & Development Grant provides up to $10,000 each to three selected filmmakers to support the early investigative and creative work behind developing a feature-length documentary project (defined as longer than 40 minutes). These grants are intended to help filmmakers flesh out their ideas, conduct preliminary research, and begin the creative framing of their projects. The Production & Post-Production Grant offers up to $20,000 to each of three recipients. This support is designed to advance projects that are in the later stages of filming or in the editing and completion phases. As with the development grants, these projects must be feature-length and intended for broad audience engagement. Funding may cover a range of eligible expenses including production equipment, crew costs, post-production editing, and distribution preparation. In addition, the Student Grant category is tailored to support emerging talent from academic institutions. Up to two students who are at an intermediate level or higher in filmmaking and are enrolled in a U.S.-based undergraduate or graduate program in film or journalism will be selected to receive up to $5,000. These awards are focused on the creation of short-form documentaries with durations ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. This track supports skill-building, experimentation, and the development of students’ voices within the psychedelic discourse. Eligibility for the fellowship varies slightly by grant type. While professional filmmakers may apply for the research and production grants, only students currently enrolled in recognized academic programs may apply for the student category. All applicants must demonstrate a serious commitment to the documentary form and the capacity to deliver a thoughtful, well-executed film. Further details on eligibility, especially for student applicants, are available in the program’s FAQ section. Applications for the current cycle are due by October 30. No pre-application steps, open dates, or recurring cycle information were provided. Awards will be made based on proposals that align with the fellowship’s mission to document and critically engage with the cultural, scientific, and political shifts surrounding psychedelics. Interested applicants should ensure timely submission and consult the program's FAQs for any clarifications on eligibility and application content. Specific contact details are not provided in the available material.