The Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship is an exciting funding opportunity for documentary filmmakers who want to tell compelling, cinematic stories about the rapidly evolving world of psychedelics.

The fellowship is designed to support filmmakers producing documentaries that explore the science, policy, business and culture surrounding psychedelics. Through substantial production funding, the program seeks to help a new generation of filmmakers bring important and underreported stories to audiences through film.

For 2026, the fellowship offers two different grant opportunities: a Feature-Length Documentary Grant providing up to $20,000 to selected filmmakers and a Short-Form Documentary Grant providing up to $10,000 to selected filmmakers.

The application deadline is October 5, 2026.

The fellowship is a project of the U.C. Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and is intended to foster a diverse group of filmmakers documenting a field that is undergoing significant scientific, cultural, political and social change.

About the Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship

The psychedelic field is developing rapidly, with growing public interest in areas such as psychedelic-assisted therapy, scientific research, drug policy, cultural practices, business and emerging approaches to mental health and wellness.

The Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship seeks filmmakers capable of transforming these developments into strong cinematic narratives.

Rather than simply funding general filmmaking activities, the fellowship is interested in projects with compelling stories that can engage audiences while providing deeper insight into the issues surrounding psychedelics.

According to the fellowship, it is looking for groundbreaking narratives fit for cinematic storytelling, particularly untold stories that can illuminate the science, policy, business and culture of this emerging era.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to filmmakers who have identified an important story that has not yet received sufficient attention.

What Funding Is Available?

The fellowship has two distinct funding tracks.

1. Feature-Length Documentary Grant

The Feature-Length Documentary Grant will provide:

• Up to $20,000 per filmmaker
• Three documentary filmmakers will be selected
• Funding can support the production or post-production of a feature-length documentary
• The documentary must be more than 40 minutes in length
• The project should be a documentary or nonfiction film rather than fiction.

The feature-length grant is particularly suited to filmmakers who already have a substantial documentary project underway and need additional resources to complete production or post-production.

The application materials indicate that applicants should be the director of the project, have relevant prior work samples, have access to participants and locations, and be independently producing the project.

What can the funding help with?

Depending on the project’s needs, documentary production funding can potentially help a filmmaker cover costs associated with completing the project, such as:

• Production activities
• Post-production
• Filming
• Editing
• Other legitimate project-related costs
• Costs necessary to move the documentary toward completion

The fellowship does not require grantees to submit individual expenses for reimbursement. However, successful applicants are expected to provide a report explaining how the grant was spent and what was accomplished on the project.

2. Short-Form Documentary Grant

The Short-Form Documentary Grant will provide:

• Up to $10,000 per filmmaker
• Up to five documentary filmmakers may be selected
• Funding is intended for the production of short-form documentaries
• The film must be 40 minutes or less

This track is particularly important for emerging filmmakers because it can provide meaningful financial support for a shorter documentary project.

The fellowship specifically encourages student filmmakers currently enrolled in graduate programs to consider the Short-Form Documentary Grant, although additional eligibility requirements apply to student applicants.

Special Opportunity for Student Filmmakers

Students should pay particular attention to the eligibility requirements because the fellowship does not treat student applications in the same way as applications from established independent filmmakers.

For the student route, eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S.-based undergraduate or graduate-level film or journalism program at an intermediate level or higher and must have a faculty advisor supporting the project. The faculty advisor must provide a letter of support by the application deadline.

The fellowship’s FAQ further clarifies that only graduate-school-level student films are eligible for the Short-Form Documentary Grant.

Therefore, prospective student applicants should carefully check the current application requirements before preparing their submission.

Important student restriction

A current student cannot apply for the Feature-Length Documentary Grant under the current rules.

Who Can Apply?

One of the most attractive aspects of this opportunity is its international eligibility.

The fellowship confirms that both grants are open to filmmakers worldwide, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.

This means filmmakers from:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• North America
• South America
• Central America
• The Caribbean
• Oceania
• Other parts of the world

may apply, provided they satisfy the relevant grant’s project and applicant requirements.

There is no stated nationality or citizenship restriction preventing international filmmakers from applying.

For example, a qualified documentary filmmaker based in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Brazil or another country can potentially apply.

However, being from an eligible country alone does not guarantee eligibility. Applicants must also meet the requirements for their chosen grant.

Eligibility Requirements for Documentary Filmmakers

For the feature-length production/post-production route, the application requirements indicate that applicants should satisfy several important criteria.

1. You must be the director

The applicant must be the director of the documentary project.

This is important because the funding is intended to support individual filmmakers who are directly responsible for the creative direction of the project.

2. You need relevant previous work

Applicants must have prior work samples in which they played a principal role, such as:

• Director
• Co-director
• Producer
• Co-producer

Therefore, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their filmmaking experience through previous work samples.

3. The project must be documentary or nonfiction

The project must be a:

• Documentary
• Nonfiction film
• Hybrid documentary

The fellowship does not support fiction films.

4. Feature projects must meet the required length

For the feature-length grant, the project must be at least 40 minutes in length according to the application materials.

5. The project should already be in production or post-production

The feature production/post-production grant is designed for projects that have progressed beyond the earliest development stage.

The application recommends that applicants have at least 10% of their footage shot by the application date, although applicants should consult the current FAQ for clarification about project stages.

6. You must have access to the story

Applicants must have confirmed access to:

• Participants
• Locations

This is important because the selection committee wants to see that the proposed documentary is realistically achievable.

7. The project must be independently produced

The documentary must be independently produced.

Works produced as “work for hire” are not eligible for the relevant production/post-production grant.

8. Only individuals can apply

Applications must come from individual filmmakers.

Organizations such as:

• Universities
• Foundations
• Nonprofit businesses
• Other organizations

cannot apply on behalf of a project.

What Types of Stories Is the Fellowship Looking For?

The fellowship is intentionally broad in its thematic scope.

It is interested in documentary stories examining different dimensions of psychedelics, including:

Science

Projects may explore scientific research and the developing understanding of psychedelic substances and their effects.

Policy

Filmmakers can examine laws, regulations, drug policy and the changing political environment surrounding psychedelics.

Business

Stories can investigate the growing commercial ecosystem surrounding psychedelic research, services, companies and related industries.

Culture

Documentaries may examine how psychedelics intersect with culture, communities, traditions and changing social attitudes.

The fellowship is particularly interested in untold and compelling narratives rather than generic treatments of the topic.

A strong application should therefore demonstrate why the proposed story matters and why audiences should care about it.

International Applicants Are Welcome

International filmmakers should take particular note of this opportunity.

The official FAQ explicitly states that filmmakers residing outside the United States can apply, and that both grants are open worldwide regardless of nationality or citizenship status.

Therefore, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to apply.

However, international applicants should be aware that receiving fellowship funds may have tax implications, particularly for foreign nationals working in the United States. UC Berkeley may require documentation through its tax compliance process, and foreign nationals receiving fellowship payments may be subject to withholding depending on their circumstances.

Can the Documentary Be in Another Language?

Yes.

A filmmaker can produce a documentary in a language other than English, provided that the finished film will have English subtitles.

However, the application itself must be written in English because the selection committee does not have the capacity to evaluate applications in other languages.

This is particularly useful for filmmakers documenting psychedelic-related stories within communities where English is not the primary language.

Important Restrictions Applicants Should Know

Before applying, filmmakers should carefully consider several restrictions.

Fiction films are not eligible

The fellowship does not fund fiction films. The proposed project must be documentary, nonfiction or an eligible hybrid documentary.

Cannabis stories are not eligible

The fellowship’s FAQ states that it does not fund stories about cannabis and directs applicants to its definition of what qualifies as a psychedelic substance.

First-person illegal-substance experiences are not eligible

Applicants should not pitch stories centered on personally taking illegal substances and reporting on the experience. The fellowship specifically states that such stories cannot be supported for legal reasons.

Previously publicly distributed films are not eligible

A project that has already been publicly distributed is not eligible. This includes previous:

• Theatrical screenings
• Festival screenings
• Educational screenings
• Community screenings

Applicants should therefore ensure that the project they submit has not already been publicly distributed in these ways.

You cannot submit multiple stories

Each applicant may submit only one story pitch.

You cannot apply to both grant categories

Applicants must choose between the Feature-Length Documentary Grant and the Short-Form Documentary Grant.

You cannot apply to both grants during the same year.

Can Filmmakers Apply as a Team?

Yes, filmmakers can work with collaborators, co-directors or colleagues.

However, the fellowship requires one primary applicant to submit the application.

If awarded, the funds will be distributed to the primary applicant, who can then distribute funds to other members of the filmmaking team as appropriate.

This means a collaborative project does not necessarily have to be completed by one person, but the application needs to identify a primary applicant.

What Happens If You Are Selected?

Grant recipients have several responsibilities after receiving funding.

Successful fellows are expected to:

1. Attend 3–4 virtual cohort meetings.
2. Submit a written report within six months of the initial grant issuance.
3. Explain how the grant money was spent.
4. Describe what has been accomplished on the documentary.
5. Share the finished film with the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics once it is completed.
6. Credit the Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship in the finished film.

Student filmmakers also have additional expectations relating to completion of their film as part of their graduate-level coursework and faculty-advisor supervision.

How Will the Grant Money Be Paid?

The payment structure differs between the two grants.

Feature-Length Documentary Grant

Feature-length awardees receive:

• Half of the award upfront
• The remaining half six months later, after completing a project-update memo.

Short-Form Documentary Grant

Short-form awardees receive:

• The full grant amount upfront.

The fellowship does not require recipients to submit individual expenses for reimbursement, although a six-month report explaining spending and project progress is required.

Is There an Application Fee?

No.

The application is free to submit.

This makes the opportunity particularly accessible to emerging filmmakers who may not have substantial resources available for application fees.

What Should Applicants Prepare?

A strong application should be built around a compelling documentary idea and demonstrate that the filmmaker has the experience, access and ability to execute it.

Applicants should be prepared to provide information about areas such as:

• The documentary’s working title
• Project stage
• Story concept
• Topic and context
• Filmmaker background
• Previous work
• Artistic approach
• Connection to the story
• Access to participants and locations
• Funding received so far
• Project budget
• Production plans

The application materials also ask filmmakers to explain the creative and narrative direction of their projects.

For student applicants, the application includes areas such as a logline, topic summary, story or concept summary, filmmaker statement, artistic approach, connection and access, and funding to date.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Although no application can guarantee funding, filmmakers can strengthen their submissions by paying close attention to the fellowship’s priorities.

1. Lead with the story

Do not make the application simply a discussion about psychedelics.

Instead, identify the human story at the center of the documentary.

Explain who the audience will follow, what is at stake and why the story is important now.

2. Demonstrate cinematic potential

The fellowship specifically seeks narratives suitable for cinematic storytelling.

Explain what viewers will see, hear and experience.

3. Show that you have access

If your documentary depends on specific people, communities, locations or institutions, explain how you will access them.

4. Demonstrate your filmmaking ability

Previous work samples are important, particularly for applicants seeking the feature-length funding.

Choose work that demonstrates your ability to tell compelling nonfiction stories.

5. Make the project’s relevance clear

Explain why the story matters within the larger conversation around psychedelics.

Consider the scientific, cultural, political, economic or social implications of the story.

6. Be realistic about production

A compelling concept needs a credible execution plan.

Make sure your proposed budget and production strategy are realistic.

7. Follow the eligibility rules carefully

Do not submit a project that falls into one of the excluded categories, such as fiction, cannabis-focused stories or previously publicly distributed films.

8. Remember the language requirement

If your film will be produced in another language, plan for English subtitles and prepare the application in English.

Important Information for Applicants Working With Collaborators

If several people are developing the documentary together, applicants should decide who will serve as the primary applicant before submission.

The fellowship does not split the application into multiple primary applicants. One person should submit the application and receive the funds, with the primary applicant then able to distribute funds to other team members.

Can You Reapply?

Yes.

Applicants who are unsuccessful may reapply if their project has undergone significant new developments since the previous application.

If reapplying, filmmakers should clearly explain what has changed or progressed since their earlier submission.

When Will Applicants Hear Back?

According to the current FAQ, applicants will be notified of award decisions by December 2026.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship is:

October 5, 2026

Applicants should submit their materials before the deadline because the fellowship states that extensions cannot be provided.

Apply Here

Feature-Length Documentary Grant:
Apply for the Feature-Length Documentary Grant HERE

Short-Form Documentary Grant:

Apply for the Short-form Documentary Grant HERE

Quick Summary of the Opportunity

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity could be particularly valuable for:

• Independent documentary filmmakers
• Nonfiction filmmakers
• Documentary directors
• Documentary producers who meet the primary-applicant requirements
• Filmmakers researching the science of psychedelics
• Filmmakers examining psychedelic policy
• Filmmakers investigating the psychedelic business landscape
• Filmmakers exploring the cultural dimensions of psychedelics
• Filmmakers with compelling underreported stories
• Graduate student filmmakers meeting the specific student requirements
• International filmmakers from any country who satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements

The fellowship could be especially attractive to filmmakers who already have access to a compelling story and need financial support to take the project into production or complete post-production.

Learn more about this opportunity HERE

Conclusion

The Mycoskie–UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship presents a significant funding opportunity for documentary filmmakers interested in exploring one of the world’s rapidly developing and increasingly debated fields.

With up to $20,000 available for feature-length documentaries and up to $10,000 for short-form documentaries, the program can provide valuable financial support for filmmakers seeking to transform important psychedelic-related stories into compelling cinematic work.

The fellowship is also notable for its worldwide eligibility, allowing qualified filmmakers to apply regardless of nationality or citizenship. At the same time, applicants must carefully distinguish between the two funding tracks, as the eligibility requirements differ, particularly for students.

For filmmakers with an original, well-developed and visually compelling documentary story about the science, policy, business or culture of psychedelics, this could be an opportunity worth serious consideration.

Deadline: October 5, 2026. Applicants should review the official requirements carefully and submit their application through the appropriate grant portal before the deadline.