Frequently Asked Questions

This information reflects the U-PEP Faculty Fellowship program offered in 2026. Please note that program details may change from year to year. Details for the 2027 program will be released in advance of the application period.

About U-PEP

What is U-PEP? How is U-PEP different from other psychedelic education or training initiatives?

The University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP) is a philanthropically supported initiative that equips health professional faculty across disciplines with the knowledge, resources, and community to integrate evidence-based psychedelic education into curricula—laying the groundwork for the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and educators.

Unlike most psychedelic education and training programs, which focus on educating health care providers directly, U-PEP educates health care faculty. We equip Faculty Fellows with the tools, resources, and support they need to develop and teach evidence-based psychedelic content to their students. By embedding this content within higher education, U-PEP helps integrate psychedelic education into the core education of future professionals—ensuring this knowledge becomes part of mainstream curricula rather than an optional add-on later in a career.

Most U-PEP Faculty Fellow initiatives focus on providing foundational education, helping students gain a strong understanding of psychedelic-assisted care. However, a few programs—such as the one at Columbia University’s School of Social Work—offer training, which includes comprehensive coursework and extensive practicum experiences to prepare graduates to deliver psychedelic-assisted care.

The U-PEP Faculty Fellowship is a two-year interdisciplinary program designed to equip Faculty Fellows with knowledge and resources to develop and integrate evidence-based, person-centered psychedelic content into curriculum within their institutions. Each Fellow’s path is considered individually, allowing for a deepening connection over time.

In Year One, Faculty Fellows are required to attend four virtual meetings throughout the year. Fellows are required to attend the Faculty Education Intensive (in-person or virtual), which in 2026 is being held in the summer at Usona Institute. Later in the year, Faculty Fellows are invited to attend a Faculty Fellowship Gathering, held in November at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA.

In Year Two, Faculty Fellows deepen their journey in continued community and utilization of the program’s many resources to complete their curriculum development goals. Year Two Faculty Fellows are asked to share their created curriculum in the Resource Hub, and are given opportunities to present their work to the larger U-PEP community. Those who have completed the two-year fellowship are considered program alumni.

The U-PEP Learning Community includes both current Faculty Fellows and program alumni. Ongoing participation in the Learning Community is encouraged, and includes continued invitation to the Monthly Speaker Series and other connective opportunities.

U-PEP is funded through generous philanthropic support from individuals and family foundations. A full list of funders is available on the website.

There is no cost to participate in the U-PEP program. There are two in-person gatherings that require travel. The Faculty Education Intensive is held during the summer at Usona Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. The cost for the Intensive, including up to $1000 of travel costs to Madison, WI, is funded by philanthropic support and included in the Fellowship.

The Faculty Fellows Gathering is held during the fall at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA. Accommodation and meals at 1440 Multiversity are funded with philanthropic support and included in the Fellowship. However, travel expenses for the Fellows Gathering are not included, and are therefore the responsibility of the Faculty Fellow or the institution.

Eligibility & Application

What are the qualifications to apply to the U-PEP program?

U-PEP is currently open to full-time higher education faculty members at accredited schools of nursing, social work, medicine, psychology, counseling, and public health.

Each school (or college or department) may have up to two applicants:

  • A lead faculty member, who must be full-time.
  • An additional full-time faculty member from the same program or project (part-time faculty will be considered for the second applicant role, subject to availability).


While U-PEP encourages two faculty members per school, only a lead faculty member is required.

If more than one school at a university or institution is applying, each school can have up to two faculty applicants.

U-PEP is currently accepting applications from full-time faculty members in schools of nursing, social work, medicine, psychology, counseling, and public health. We plan to expand to include other disciplines in the coming years.

At this time, U-PEP is only open to accredited programs at higher education institutions in the United States and its territories.

Faculty are not required to have experience in psychedelic research, practice or education to participate in U-PEP. The program welcomes faculty at all levels of familiarity with the field—from those just beginning to explore this area to those who have completed psychedelic-assisted therapy training and/or are already working in the field.

Requirements to participate in the U-PEP program are:

  • Lead applicant must be a full-time higher education faculty within an accredited school (or college or department) at a U.S. based college or university
  • A completed application
  • Letter of Commitment from the faculty’s school Dean 
  • Signed agreements from all participating faculty, as well as the Deans of all participating school programs
  • Agreement to share psychedelic-related materials created through U-PEP with other Faculty Fellows via the online learning platform

Yes! We welcome eligible applicants from all institutions, regardless of their current curriculum. In fact, psychedelic content has been new to most—if not all—of the institutions that have participated in U-PEP so far. U-PEP is designed to help you introduce and integrate this content, providing the resources and support you need to get started.

The application for the 2026 Faculty Fellow cohort opened on September 15, 2025 and closed on December 5, 2025. 

Details for the 2027 program application are expected to be released in mid-2026.

For more information, prospective applicants are welcome to join us live for one of several informational sessions offered during the application period.

Program Resources

What resources does U-PEP provide to Faculty Fellows?

Curriculum Companion & Toolkit: Practical resources and guidance for creating and integrating psychedelic content into university curricula, and ideas for institution-specific and inter-professional approaches.

Faculty Education Intensive: An in-depth 4-day learning experience held at Usona Institute in Madison, Wisconsin, designed to foster faculty professional development, personal growth, and community building. 

Mentorship: Facilitated Mentor Group gatherings function as working groups where faculty refine curriculum together, exchanging ideas and learning from experienced mentors and peers.

Curricular Consultation: Individualized consultation with an experienced educator to help faculty identify and actualize optimal approaches for expanding psychedelic content and curriculum within their institution.

Faculty Fellows Gathering: A 3-day gathering at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA, providing a unique opportunity to gather in a beautiful setting and deepen connections through shared learning.

Online Resource Hub: The U-PEP Online Resource Hub on the Sabba platform includes a shared curriculum library, community discussion, a network of subject matter experts, and more.

In Year One, the minimum time commitment to participate in U-PEP includes attendance at four virtual meetings and the 4-day Education Intensive at Usona Institute. The 3-day Faculty Fellows Gathering at 1440 Multiversity and all other U-PEP events and offerings are optional, but highly encouraged. 

You are not required to create a new course. There are many ways to bring psychedelic content into your curriculum, and the only requirement is that you plan to integrate some form of content. This could include a learning series, conference, seminar, modules embedded into existing classes, an elective, or even a more comprehensive program.

Collaboration & Sharing

Will I have access to content developed by other Faculty Fellows?

Yes. All Faculty Fellows have access to U-PEP’s password-protected online Resource Hub, developed in partnership with Sabba. The Resource Hub houses curriculum materials, teaching tools, and resources contributed by Faculty Fellows across institutions, making it easy to share ideas, build on one another’s work, and strengthen psychedelic education collectively.

Faculty Fellows—and their Deans—commit to sharing psychedelic-related curriculum materials created through U-PEP Fellowship support with the other Faculty Fellows. By contributing to U-PEP’s online Resource Hub, Fellows not only strengthen psychedelic education across institutions, but also gain access to a robust library of resources, inspiration from peers, and opportunities to collaborate with like-minded educators. 

This innovative shared approach makes the U-PEP model scalable and helps faculty develop their own curriculum more efficiently—eliminating the need to reinvent the wheel and accelerating the adoption of high-quality content.

Institutional Involvement

What if my institution is hesitant about adding psychedelic content?

We understand that this is a new and evolving field, and some institutions may have questions or concerns. We offer several ways to help:

  • Attend an information session: Join us live during the application period to learn more about U-PEP and hear directly from faculty members who have integrated psychedelic content into their schools.

  • Connect individually: Our team is happy to speak with Deans, department chairs, or other decision-makers to answer questions and provide tailored resources.

  • Access supporting materials: We can share sample syllabi, evaluation data, and testimonials from other universities to help demonstrate the value and feasibility of psychedelic education.

  • Highlight alignment with institutional priorities: Many Faculty Fellows frame this work as improving access to mental health and addiction treatment—showing alignment with broader educational missions.

  • Build gradually: We encourage a phased approach, starting with smaller offerings (such as a seminar or guest speaker series) to build comfort and support over time.

Your school Dean plays an important role in supporting your participation in U-PEP. As part of the application, Deans provide a Commitment Letter that includes:

  • Name, title, and contact information

  • Link to the Program, Department, or School’s website

  • Confirmation of commitment to incorporating psychedelic education into the curriculum

  • Information about any past, current, or planned psychedelic-related initiatives

  • Commitment to support faculty member(s) participating in the program

  • Agreement to share curriculum materials developed through U-PEP with the U-PEP Learning Community via U-PEP’s online Resource Hub, fostering collaboration and cross-institutional learning

Success & Impact

Does U-PEP provide data or impact measures that I can share with my institution?

Yes. U-PEP surveys and assesses Faculty Fellows throughout the program, and can share these results to demonstrate growth and outcomes. U-PEP also produces an Annual Impact Report that highlights program achievements and reach—resources you’re welcome to share with your institution to build support for psychedelic education.

Read the 2025 U-PEP Annual Impact Report

Read the 2025 Press Release

In 2025, U-PEP accepted 63 Faculty Fellows from 33 higher education institutions across 21 states and Washington, D.C.

In 2026, U-PEP accepted 93 Faculty Fellows from 48 higher education institutions across 28 states and Puerto Rico.

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