The often-overlooked kingdom of fungi has taken center stage in a groundbreaking move that signals a paradigm shift in environmental innovation. Spearheading what can be aptly described as an ecological renaissance, this remarkable domain is now being harnessed to confront our time's most daunting environmental challenges. This shift is vividly encapsulated in the inception of a novel award, "The Future is Fungi Award," based in Stockholm, Sweden.

The award, co-founded by Susanne Gløersen, aims to bring to light the unexplored depths of fungal potential. Gløersen, in her statement, captures the essence of this endeavor: "Despite the strides we've taken, we've merely scratched the surface in unlocking the true potential of this remarkable kingdom. The latent power of fungi beckons us to delve deeper into its mysteries, uncovering a wealth of opportunities to put the world onto a more regenerative trajectory. The award, hence, looks to uncover and honor frontier research and innovations that can be made by fungi. What more can we use fungi for? What moonshots from the fungal domain can propel the world in a more regenerative direction?”

The Future is Fungi Award celebrates groundbreaking scientific research and innovative start-ups and aims to inspire a global movement in fungal discovery. Eben Bayer, CEO and Co-founder of Ecovative, a company at the forefront of this revolution, underscores the significance of this initiative: "Fungi represent an untapped reservoir of solutions. The Future is Fungi Award is not just about acknowledging current innovations but also a clarion call to researchers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to explore this uncharted territory. Every strand of mycelium we study might lead us closer to an answer for our environmental challenges."

The response to the award has been overwhelming, with over 250 applications from more than 70 countries. This global engagement is a testament to the timely relevance of fungi in environmental solutions. Gløersen adds, "The overwhelming response to the award is really a testament to the fact that the timing is ripe for fungi. Not least, as our aim is to enable a truly global award, we are beyond excited to see that the award has gained significant traction with applications from all regions of the world and more than 70 countries represented”.

The award's vision extends beyond recognition; it is an amalgamation of diverse stakeholders, including researchers, investors, and corporate entities, all united in accelerating the transition from research to real-world applications. The collaboration is aimed at propelling fungi onto the global stage, creating impactful change on a monumental scale.

This decade is set to be a thrilling era for mycologists, bioengineers, and environmentalists. As biology and technology converge, the focus intensifies on the vast possibilities within the fungal realm. This journey is more than a scientific exploration; it's a glimpse into a future where fungi emerge as indispensable allies in our quest for sustainability.

The culmination of this year's efforts will be showcased at The Future is Fungi Award 2023 ceremony, scheduled for November 23rd. This event, featuring keynote speakers like Renee Davis and artist Tarun Nayar, promises to be a landmark occasion in the world of environmental innovation. For those interested in being part of this seminal event, details and registration can be found at the official website: https://www.futureisfungi.org/award-ceremony.