About the opportunity
The Mycoskie-UC Berkeley Psychedelic Documentary Fellowship aims to empower a new generation of filmmakers exploring the burgeoning field of psychedelics. A project of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, the fellowship seeks groundbreaking narratives fit for cinematic storytelling—untold stories that captivate audiences and shed light on the science, policy, business, and culture of this new era of psychedelics. The program is committed to fostering a diverse pool of filmmakers to document this rapidly changing field.
Funding and benefits
- Feature-Length Documentary Grant: Up to $20,000 awarded to three documentary filmmakers to support the production or post-production of a feature-length documentary (more than 40 minutes).
- Short-Form Documentary Grant: Up to $10,000 each awarded to up to five documentary filmmakers for the production of a short-form documentary (40 minutes or less).
Who can apply?
- Open to documentary filmmakers pursuing cinematic storytelling on the science, policy, business, and culture of psychedelics.
- Filmmakers applying for the Feature-Length Grant must have a project longer than 40 minutes in production or post-production.
- Filmmakers applying for the Short-Form Grant must have a project of 40 minutes or less.
- Student filmmakers currently enrolled in a graduate program are encouraged to apply for the Short-Form Documentary grant.
Required documents
- Completed online application submitted through Submittable for either the Feature-Length or Short-Form grant track.
When to apply
- Application deadline: October 5.
How to apply
- Review eligibility and decide between the Feature-Length Documentary Grant and Short-Form Documentary Grant tracks.
- Access the official Submittable application portal for the chosen grant track.
- Complete and submit the application form and required project details before the October 5 deadline.
Additional information
- The fellowship is a project of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics.
- The 2025 Selection Committee included Dana Merwin, Jon Shenk, and Noland Walker, with key faculty including Michael Pollan.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Documentary filmmakers focused on the science, policy, or culture of psychedelics.
- Graduate students looking for support for short-form documentary projects.
- Creators with projects currently in the production or post-production phase.
What should you think carefully about?
- Applicants must choose between two distinct grant tracks with different project length requirements.
- The fellowship is highly specific to the field of psychedelics.
- The application process requires submitting project details through a specific portal by the October deadline.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is a significant opportunity for filmmakers to secure funding and institutional backing from UC Berkeley. It fits those aiming to produce groundbreaking narratives that contribute to the public understanding of this emerging field.
Our take
Filmmakers with a compelling story about psychedelics should apply, ensuring their project length aligns with the specific grant track they select.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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