Fungi are essential to life on Earth, supporting food production, ecosystem health, medicine, and climate resilience. Yet many of the scientists studying fungi (=mycologists), particularly those working in low-income countries, rarely have the opportunity to share their discoveries on the global stage. This fundraiser is an initiative of the International Mycological Association to help address this gap by raising funds for travel awards that enable these mycologists to participate in international scientific meetings.

In 2027, the International Mycological Congress (IMC), a global meeting held only once every four years, will take place in South Korea. IMC is the world’s largest gathering of fungal scientists, bringing together an average of 1,000 participants from around the globe. It offers a rare opportunity for mycologists to present their work, build collaborations, and exchange ideas. For many researchers, however, the cost of airfare, visas, registration, and lodging makes participation impossible.

Attendance data from recent International Mycological Congresses reveal a clear imbalance. Across multiple congresses, scientists from Europe and North America accounted for over 60% of total attendees, while participation from low-income and under-resourced countries was much lower. Africa represented only ~2.6% of attendees, Mexico, Central America, and South America combined accounted for ~6.9%, and South Asia represented ~7.5%. These disparities are not due to a lack of scientific expertise, but to financial barriers that prevent many talented mycologists from participating in international meetings.

We are raising funds to provide travel awards for mycologists from low-income and under-resourced countries worldwide to attend IMC 2027. Our initial goal is $30,000, which will support 10 travel awards covering essential expenses, including flights, registration, lodging, and visas. If we exceed this goal, every additional dollar will allow us to support more scientists.

Each travel award has a lasting impact. Participants return home with new skills, collaborations, and visibility that strengthen research programs, student training, biodiversity conservation, and applied solutions in agriculture, medicine, and environmental management. By supporting this campaign, you help build a more inclusive and globally representative scientific community, ensuring that fungal science reflects the voices of researchers working where diversity is greatest and resources are most limited.

In this video, Tahina talks about his research in Madagascar and the impact of the International Mycological Association travel grants.

*Photo and video credits: Marc Stadler, Sumya Biswas, APMT Biotec, IMA, Priscila Chaverri, Tahina Rajaonera.

**Andrin Gross is the treasurer of the International Mycological Association, and Priscila Chaverri is a member of the Executive Committee of IMA.