Frequently Asked Questions
No. Projects must have secured access to participants and locations.
We will not assign stories and cannot consult on proposals or story pitches before they are submitted. Proposals are not accepted via email.
No. Please don't pitch us stories that involve first person accounts of taking illegal substances. For obvious legal reasons, we can't support those stories.
No. Read more about what is and is not considered a psychedelic substance here.
We do not support fiction films or films commissioned by NGOs or brands.
Please have one primary applicant apply. Funds will be distributed to the primary applicant, and they can distribute funds to other team members as they see fit.
At this time we are focusing on documentary films. Please see the Ferriss-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship for print and audio stories.
Both fellowships are open to all filmmakers worldwide, regardless of nationality or citizenship status. However, we cannot assist with visas.
Yes, as long as it will have English subtitles. Please write the application in English as our selection committee does not have the capacity to evaluate applications in other languages.
Yes. Please convert foreign currencies to U.S. dollars.
Yes. You are welcome to reapply if you did not receive a grant.
No. Please submit only one story pitch per applicant.
We cannot offer extensions of any kind due to staff capacity and in fairness to other applicants.
You are not expected to track expenses or submit them to us. The money is meant to cover costs and keep you whole while you do this work.
General Fellows will receive half of the funds up front, and the second half six months later.
Student Fellows will receive the full amount of funds up front.
The length of the General Fellowship is one year. We will have quarterly progress check-ins with the full cohort over Zoom. Deliverables will be dependent on the stage of production the project is in when submitted.
For the Student Fellowship, we expect to see a finished film by the end of the school year.
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No. It is free to apply.
No. UC Berkeley will not issue any tax documentation to award recipients. Your Fellowship award is reported to the IRS. You receive the full amount and will be responsible for recording it as fellowship money on your tax forms. To understand more about your award and taxes review - IRS Notice: Scholarships, Fellowship Grants, and Other Grants
You are not eligible to apply if you are submitting a project/documentary previously distributed in a public forum, including theatrical, festivals, educational, and community screenings.
Only individual filmmakers can apply. We do not accept applications from organizations including universities, foundations, and nonprofit businesses.
Check out this link.
Applicants will be notified of award decisions by late November 2024.
Grants are not recoupable, and none of your exploitable rights are encumbered. Our grant agreement requires acknowledgment in the end credits of the film.