Applications Due October 5
The Mycoskie - UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of student films are eligible for entry?
Only graduate school level films are eligible for entry to the Short-Form Documentary Grant.
Student applicants must have a letter of support from a faculty advisor who will be supervising the completion of the film as part of their graduate school program. The faculty letter must be submitted by the application deadline.
May I ask you to review an element of my proposal before I apply?
We will not assign stories and cannot consult on proposals or story pitches before they are submitted. Proposals must be submitted via Submittable and are not accepted via email.
Can I pitch a story that involves me taking a psychedelic and then reporting on my experience?
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.
Can I get a grant for a story on cannabis? What is considered a psychedelic substance?
No. Read more about what is and is not considered a psychedelic substance here.
What types of films do you fund?
We do not support fiction films or films commissioned by NGOs or brands.
I’m working on a story with a co-director/colleague/friend/collaborator, can we apply for a fellowship together?
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.
I work in print or audio. Can I still apply?
At this time we are focusing on documentary films. Please see the Ferriss-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Journalism Fellowship for print and audio stories.
Can documentarians residing outside of the U.S. apply?
Both grants are open to all filmmakers worldwide, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.
I'm a foreign national but working in the U.S. Will my fellowship payment be subject to tax?
Possibly. Foreign nationals in the U.S. receiving payments for fellowships are subject to tax withholding and reporting. You may be asked to provide documentation for UC Berkeley’s tax compliance system, which is followed by a withholding review. This is regardless of if you have a work authorization or a SSN.
My film will be in a language other than English. Can I still apply?
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.
Does my budget have to be in U.S. dollars?
Yes. Please convert foreign currencies to U.S. dollars.
Can I reapply if I don’t get a reporting grant the first time?
Yes. You are welcome to reapply if your project has significant new developments since you first applied. Please be sure to indicate clearly on the second application how it differs from the initial application.
Can I pitch more than one story?
No. Please submit only one story pitch per applicant.
Can I apply to both the Feature-Length Documentary Grant and the Short-Form Documentary Grant?
No, you cannot apply to both grants in the same year.
Can I get an extension?
No. We cannot offer extensions of any kind due to staff capacity and in fairness to other applicants.
If I get a grant, do I need to track my expenses for reimbursement?
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. However, you will be expected to provide a written report within 6 months from initial grant issuance detailing how the award has been spent and what has been accomplished on the project.
If I get a grant, when can I expect to receive funds?
Feature-Length Documentary Grant awardees will receive half of the funds up front, and the second half six months later upon completing a memo with project updates.
Short-Form Documentary Grant awardees will receive the full amount of funds up front.
Are there any requirements or deliverables expected if I receive a grant?
If you are awarded a grant, you are expected to:
- Attend 3-4 virtual cohort meetings
- Provide a written report within 6 months from initial grant issuance detailing how the award has been spent and what has been accomplished on the project
- Share the finished film with BCSP once it is completed.
- Student filmmakers are expected to complete the film as part of their graduate level coursework with a faculty advisor.
- List The Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship in the credits of your film.
I am an employee at UC Berkeley. Can I apply for a fellowship?
No.
I am a former or current Ferriss Fellow or BCSP Society and Culture Grantee. Can I apply for this fellowship as well?
No.
I am a current student, but I want to apply for the Feature-Length Documentary Grant. Can I?
No.
Is there an application fee to apply?
No. It is free to apply.
Will I receive tax forms for my award money?
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
My film has previously been distributed in a public forum. Can I still apply?
No. 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.
Can I apply on behalf of an organization, like a foundation?
Only individual filmmakers can apply. We do not accept applications from organizations including universities, foundations, and nonprofit businesses.
I’m having trouble uploading my film to Vimeo. Can you help?
Check out this link.
When will I be notified of a decision regarding my application?
Applicants will be notified of award decisions by December, 2026.