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Fungi + Fabrics II: Researching Mycelium-Textile Composites and Their Potential Applications

Academic Research Opportunity

A student research project in which groups design their own experiments to investigate how mycelium (a network of fungal roots) reacts to cotton textile fibers and how these fibers influence the properties of the resulting composite material. The seminar conducts small-scale, experimental scientific research on fungal-based materials suitable for architectural purposes. Intended for higher-semester bachelor's students and master's students interested in sustainability and interdisciplinary research; all disciplines are welcomed, and no prior knowledge of fungal cultivation is required.

Program

Organizers: Berlin University Alliance, Berlin University Alliance / Technische Universität Berlin, Student Research Opportunities Program (StuROPx)
Host: Technische Universität Berlin
Timeframe: Summer semester 2026 (SoSe 2026), Tuesdays 16:00-18:00: weekly sessions 14 Apr - 12 May 2026 and 26 May - 21 Jul 2026 (14 sessions). First session 14 April 2026. (Start: 2026-04-14; End: 2026-07-21; Workload: Weekly seminar sessions Tuesdays 16:00-18:00 (2 hours/week, 14 sessions, 37.33 UE teaching load) plus group-based experimental project work)
Locations: Europe, Germany, Berlin
Study Areas: Architecture, Sustainability
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Application

Deadline:
  • April 14, 2026
Criteria: Eligibility: This research project is intended for higher-semester bachelor's students and master's students interested in sustainability and interdisciplinary research - all disciplines are welcomed! No prior knowledge of fungal cultivation is required to participate. However, experience with handicrafts, gardening, and/or cooking is expressly desired. (Program-level: Students from all partners of the Berlin University Alliance (Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Charité) can participate in an X-Student Research Group. Participation is possible from all subjects and for both BA and MA students. The X-Student Research Groups are primarily intended for students from the four partners; if there are still places available, students from other universities are welcome to participate.) Prerequisites: No prior knowledge of fungal cultivation required. Experience with handicrafts, gardening, and/or cooking is expressly desired. Language: English (the seminar can be conducted in English or German at the participants' request). Group leaders cannot define formal admission requirements - participation from all subjects and study levels (BA/MA). Selection process: Registration is course-level: interested students choose a group from the project overview and must attend the first session of the course (Tue 14 April 2026, 16:00-18:00, TU Berlin Charlottenburg A 053); if the first session is not listed, email the instructor for date/time/location. Immediately after the introductory session, students notify the instructor of their binding interest. If more than 15 students are interested, seats are allocated by lot (draw), carried out by the StuROPx coordinating office (minimum 3-5 students required for the course to take place). The lecturer informs students whether they received a place. Students from another BUA partner university must additionally register as BUA students at the offering university (for TU Berlin see the instructions for registering for BUA course formats at TU) - sending the completed/signed application for participation in BUA modules plus current enrollment certificate by the end of the second week of lectures. Participants who complete the group earn 6 LP (module completed without an exam via active participation, working on a sub-question, presenting results, and a short written reflection), creditable in the üWP/free elective/ABV/compulsory elective area.
Required Degree: No Degree
Target Degrees: Bachelor, Master
Required Documents:
  1. Registration by attending the first session of the course (Tue 14 April 2026, 16:00-18:00) and notifying the instructor of binding interest immediately after the session
  2. Application for participation in BUA modules (module title: 'X-Student Research Group: Project Title') - only for students enrolling from another BUA partner university
  3. Current certificate of enrollment from home university - only for students enrolling from another BUA partner university
  4. Guest student (Nebenhörer) enrollment - only for students from universities outside the BUA, if places remain
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Costs & Contact

Stipend: Students receive 6 credit points (LP) for one semester of participation via the module 'Research Project with Junior Researchers - X-Student Research Groups' (up to 12 LP if two-semester participation is possible). No cash stipend for participants is stated. The StuROPx project funding covers project material and travel costs (travel allowances ~€0.20/km, max €130 per person; students' personal contributions kept to a minimum).
Cost: No participation fees stated - participation is part of the regular university course offering (BUA StuROPx teaching program).
Contact: Registration and project inquiries: Marta Mastalerska-Scholz - m.mastalerska-scholz@campus.tu-berlin.de; BUA student registration queries: BUA office (see Step 2 page for partner-university contacts)
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