Mycelia Fellowship 2026 in USA | Call for Applications

Applications are open for the inaugural Mycelia Fellowship 2026 cohort. Social Resonance Lab, a nonprofit research studio, organizes this opportunity. It supports practitioners already working on ethical storytelling projects. Unlike typical grants, this fellowship strengthens existing work rather than funding new ideas. Only two fellows will join this highly selective pilot program.

Program Snapshot

• Host Organization: Social Resonance Lab, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• Format: Remote, eight-week fellowship
• Fellowship Period: November 1 to December 31, 2026
• Stipend: $2,000 per fellow
• Application Deadline: September 13, 2026, 11:59 PM

Focus Areas

• Arts as a civic tool for social engagement
• AI and the digital landscape’s impact on narratives
• Power dynamics in storytelling and representation
• Intersectional practice and community accountability

About the Fellowship

This program draws inspiration from mycelium, fungal networks connecting entire ecosystems. Stories similarly travel between communities, technologies, and generations, changing meaning. Fellows examine ethical questions surrounding attribution, consent, and narrative responsibility. The fellowship specifically strengthens projects already underway, not brand-new concepts. Fellows work within one of two thematic tracks matching their existing work.

What Fellows Will Do

Selected fellows receive direct advisory support from Social Resonance Lab’s team. This includes expertise in project management, evaluation, and community storytelling. Fellows also produce required deliverables, sharing their work more broadly. This includes one written piece for the organization’s Substack publication. Fellows also participate in a podcast episode discussing their project. Additionally, each fellow co-leads a public workshop presenting their work.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must already have meaningful storytelling or arts-humanities work underway. Strong candidates demonstrate genuine intersectional practice within their existing projects. Applicants must currently reside within the United States or its territories. Additionally, applicants must be able to file a W-9 form. A domestic U.S. bank account is required to receive stipend payments.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Reviewers assess creativity, originality, and independent leadership demonstrated throughout. Evidence of prior project execution matters significantly during the selection process. Applicants should also show clear understanding of the fellowship’s research questions. A strong connection to one specific thematic track strengthens applications considerably.

How to Apply

Complete the official application form before the September deadline.

#339966;">#339966;" href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdj_qxRZmRZcNdVcQvXz9mZIhZTj-Iau-cZVb-kowZtRER6Dw/viewform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Apply

Conclusion

This fellowship offers a thoughtful, if modest, opportunity for storytellers and artists to deepen work already creating community impact, backed by genuine advisory support rather than just funding. Its emphasis on strengthening existing projects rather than seeding new ones makes it especially valuable for practitioners ready to scale or refine their approach.

Given the extremely small two-fellow cohort, applicants should clearly demonstrate tangible prior execution and a strong thematic fit before the September 13 deadline.

#008000;">READ MORE