Travel Grant
IMDI Travel Grant
Travel grants will be awarded to two Symposium participants based on their motivation letters. The Organising Committee intends to award one grant to a citizen of Ukraine in recognition of and support for a nation defending its freedom. The second grant will be awarded to an applicant who demonstrates outstanding motivation and would benefit most from the financial support.
Applications for the travel grant are closed. The recipients were announced on 30 October — see below.
Announcement
IFFS 2027 Travel Grant Recipients Announced
The Organising Committee of the 21st International Fungi & Fibre Symposium (IFFS 2027) has reviewed the applications and motivation letters and decided to award the two International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI) Travel Grants to:
- Tess Barlow — USA;
- Kateryna Fedorova — Ukraine.
Tess Barlow has been working with mushroom dyes since 2009. She actively shares her knowledge through workshops, educational activities and community events, and contributed to organising the 2022 International Fungi & Fibre Symposium in the United States.
Kateryna Fedorova is involved in mycological fieldwork in Ukraine and has a particular interest in the traditional use of fungi and lichens as sources of natural dyes. She hopes to expand her knowledge of fungal pigments and contribute to preserving and reviving traditional textile dyeing practices in Ukraine.
Established in 1985 by Miriam C. Rice, the IMDI Travel Grant provides financial support to help participants attend international symposia, encouraging the exchange of knowledge, practical experience and ideas within the international mushroom dyeing community.
We congratulate both recipients and look forward to welcoming them to Latvia in August 2027!
About the IMDI Travel Grant
The International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI) Travel Grant was initiated in 1985 by Miriam C. Rice, President of IMDI. The grant was established to financially support at least one participant's travel to each international symposium. Over the years, IMDI has received small donations that have enabled modest travel grants, initially awarding USD 200 and, since 2010, USD 600. In 2025, the number of travel grants was increased to two per symposium.
More than 20 people have received the travel grant over the years, including Diāna Meiere from Latvia, who is now serving on the organising committee of the 21st symposium in Latvia.
The IMDI Travel Grant is funded through sales of Miriam C. Rice’s book Mushrooms for Dyes, Paper, Pigments & Myco-Stix and membership fees from the IMDI Gallery. Please consider buying the book to support the mushroom dyeing community.
About the book
Mushrooms for Dyes, Paper, Pigments & Myco-Stix
Miriam C. Rice’s book shares her work with fungal dyes — pigments, fibres, paper and myco-stix. Sales of the book help fund the IMDI Travel Grant.
See the book →Related initiative
IMDI Gallery
The IMDI Gallery presents artwork and craft from around the world created with dyes, pigments and pulp derived from fungi and lichens. It provides a lasting record of the creativity, knowledge and experimentation shared within the international fungi and fibre community.
The Gallery is closely connected with the IFFF Symposia and their exhibitions. Works presented at the symposia can be documented and made accessible to an international audience through the online Gallery. Donations associated with Gallery submissions also contribute to the IMDI Travel Grant Fund, helping participants attend future IFFF Symposia.
Participants contributing work to the XXI International Fungi & Fibre Symposium exhibition will be encouraged to provide photographs and information about their entries for possible inclusion in the IMDI Gallery. A separate exhibition entry-information form will be provided.
Exhibition entries
Entry form coming soon