
What we offer
Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research
(Awarded by Drug Science UK in collaboration with OIOC)
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort close on January 1st.
Please contact info@oioc.co with any inquiries.
Program Overview
Program Format
Hybrid: Online + 10-day Immersion in Putumayo, Colombia
Schedule: 10:00am- 12:00pm (America/ Bogotá UTC–5)
Time Zones: Morning sessions for the Americas, afternoon for Europe
Access: All sessions recorded for flexible viewing
This 8-month hybrid certificate offers guided study and experiential training in ethical, intercultural, and community-based research frameworks within Indigenous-led psychedelic science. Participants engage directly with Kamëntsá and Kofán knowledge holders and international researchers, integrating field study, ecological observation, and ceremonial contexts to explore the biocultural dimensions of healing. The program advances a new paradigm of collaborative and reciprocal science, aligning Indigenous epistemologies with contemporary research to deepen understanding of consciousness, ecology, and wellbeing.
Learning Experience
The learning journey unfolds through a carefully balanced integration of online study, field immersion, and reflective mentorship. Monthly online lectures, discussions, and mentorship sessions provide an interactive curriculum combining case studies, applied research exercises, and intercultural dialogue. Each module is designed to foster continuity, critical thinking, and a sense of community throughout the program’s eight months.
A 10-day field immersion in Putumayo, Colombia, offers direct engagement with Kamëntsá and Kofán knowledge holders, scientists, and local researchers. Participants take part in observed ceremonies, ecological learning, and community-based research — deepening their understanding of Indigenous perspectives on health, ecology, and reciprocity through lived experience.
Throughout the program, participants develop applied research or experiential projects that bridge scientific inquiry and community practice — documenting songs, conservation efforts, ceremonial frameworks, and ancestral health systems. Integration and reflection sessions guide each learner in synthesizing empirical findings with intercultural and personal insights, supported by continuous mentorship and dialogue.
Ongoing support is provided through Q&A office hours, dedicated mentorship channels, and intercultural facilitation across both the online and hybrid components. This integrated structure ensures a rigorous, relational, and transformative educational experience, grounded in reciprocity and ecological awareness.
Eligibility & Who This Program is For
This program welcomes a diverse cohort of participants seeking a deeper, more ethical engagement with psychedelic studies. Ideal participants include:
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Indigenous youth and community members interested in ecological research and leadership 
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Researchers and academics in ethnobotany, psychedelica, ecology, or social sciences 
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Practitioners of plant medicine and traditional healing arts 
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Conservationists and field scientists dedicated to biocultural restoration 
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Activists, educators, and community organizers engaged in decolonial or environmental justice work 
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Allies and funders supporting Indigenous-led initiatives 
No formal prerequisites are required, though experience or study in related fields is advantageous.
Practical Details
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Cohort Size: 10 participants per cohort 
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Language: Spanish and English (with translation support as needed) 
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Tuition & Scholarships: Need-based scholarships available to support accessibility 
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Continuing Engagement: Graduates join an active alumni network and mentorship programs 
Please Note: This program does not provide professional licensure or authorization to conduct research independently. It equips participants with ethical, cultural, and practical skills to engage in Indigenous-led science in collaboration with community partners.


Why this Matters

Across the world, Indigenous knowledge holders have safeguarded the relationships between people, plants, and place for millennia. Today, that wisdom is essential — not only for the healing of our ecosystems, but for the renewal of scientific and spiritual balance.
In Indigenous cosmologies, Yagé (Ayahuasca) is not a “substance” but a teacher — a being who reveals how consciousness, ecology, and health are woven together into one vast organism of life.
Modern science is only beginning to glimpse this unity. Neuroscience speaks of neuroplasticity; ecology speaks of symbiosis; physics speaks of entanglement — all words that point toward what Indigenous people have lived and known: everything is related.
This program brings these perspectives into conversation — not to reduce one to the other, but to let them mutually illuminate. Participants learn both the methodologies of science and the protocols of ceremony, engaging in a dialogue between data and spirit, between fieldwork and reverence.
By centering Indigenous leadership, ethical reciprocity, and community accountability, the program redefines what it means to study medicine — as an act of respect, remembrance, and repair.
We don’t need to be invited into the future of psychedelic research. We are already leading it — in our way
TAITA JUAN BAUTISTA AGREDA

Module 1: Cosmology, Reciprocity & Research Foundations
Ancestral Knowledge, Intercultural Ethics and Plants as Teachers This module introduces participants to the cosmological and ethical frameworks that guide Indigenous approaches to health, knowledge, and relationship with the natural world. Through study, reflection, and dialogue with Indigenous knowledge holders, participants learn to recognize plants as teachers and guardians of collective memory, engaging with dieta, ancestral communication, and the ethical principles that underlie all ceremonial and research practices. The module bridges Western scientific ethics with ancestral mandates of harmony and guardianship, cultivating an intercultural understanding of reciprocity, protection, and preparation in the context of Indigenous-led science. 1. Plants as Teachers Understanding plants not as substances but as guides and guardians of collective memory Building relationships with plant intelligence and ecological consciousness 2. Dieta and Allied Plants Bodily and spiritual preparation through dieta and allied plants Learning their language, song, and medicine qualities 3. Ancestral Communication Chants, music, dreams, symbols, and prayers as pathways of transmission Honoring oral and embodied ways of knowing 4. Ancient and Genetic Memory How plant medicine awakens deep memory processes—spiritual and biological Remembering as healing: personal, collective, and ecological restoration 5. Health and Illness in the Indigenous Worldview Understanding imbalance and healing as relational processes Yagé as integral medicine: harmonizing mind, body, and spirit 6. Plural Epistemologies Western scientific ethics ↔ ancestral mandates of harmony and guardianship Intercultural dialogue and the co-creation of ethical knowledge frameworks 7. Protection and Safeguarding Laws, practices, and current efforts to protect ancestral medicine and knowledge Ethics of consent, guardianship, and cultural continuity 8. Preparation as Ceremony Readiness for knowledge that speaks through images, memory, and stillness The researcher’s and participant’s inner preparation as a ceremonial act ~ Outcome Formation of intercultural ethical protocols that integrate dieta, cosmology and ancestral communication as the foundation for research, collaboration, and reciprocal engagement with Indigenous plant knowledge systems.
Module 2: Immersion in Yagé, Ecology & Community
Ceremony as Research and the Ecology of Collective Healing This immersion provides a direct experience of Yagé as integral medicine, exploring how ceremony, ecology, and community intertwine as living systems of knowledge. Participants engage in observed participation within traditional Yagé rituals, guided reflection with Indigenous leaders, and collaborative learning within the Amazonian landscape. The immersion emphasizes ceremony as a mode of inquiry—where transformation, observation, and dialogue become pathways to understanding health, balance, and relationship. Through ecological awareness and community exchange, students deepen their recognition of the territory as both teacher and healer. 1. Ceremony as Research Observed participation in Yagé rituals as a process of experiential inquiry Guided reflection led by Indigenous knowledge holders and elders 2. Documented Transformations Observation of physical, mental, and emotional shifts: memory, perception, and embodiment Approaches to self- and group documentation within ethical frameworks 3. Ecology of Health The Amazonian territory as a space for knowledge conservation and collective healing Interconnection of environment, community, and spiritual ecology 4. Elements of the Spirit Water, air, fire, and earth as forces of balance and learning Working with elemental symbolism in ceremonial and ecological contexts 5. Community Dialogues Intergenerational circles on medicine, peace, environment, and social healing Collective reflection on reciprocity, coexistence, and the future of Indigenous-led science ~ Outcome Development of an experiential and ecological understanding of Yagé, integrating ceremonial participation, ecological consciousness, and community dialogue as interdependent dimensions of research and healing.
Module 3: Integration, Applied Research & Transformation
Weaving Knowledge into Practice and Social Transformation This culminating module brings together the personal, scientific, and ancestral learnings developed throughout the program. Participants engage in intercultural integration processes, applied research, and community collaboration to translate insight into ethical and transformative action. Guided by principles of reciprocity and guardianship, the module emphasizes knowledge application as ceremony—a living continuation of learning that honors both Indigenous wisdom and contemporary research practices. Through project work, reflection, and co-creation, participants explore how ancestral frameworks can inform new approaches in health, ecology, and education. 1. Intercultural Integration Remote and in-person discussions weaving together personal, scientific, and ancestral perspectives Reflective synthesis of field experiences, mentorship, and self-study 2. Applied Projects Documentation of songs, limpias (cleansing ceremonies), conservation practices, and ceremonial health frameworks Collaborative development of applied research outputs in dialogue with Indigenous mentors 3. Knowledge Guardianship Ethical publication, authorship, and data sovereignty Preventing extractivism through consent-based, community-driven research methodologies 4. Social and Scientific Transformation Applying ancestral principles—harmony, evolution, and guardianship—to reimagine frameworks in health, psychology, and education Building pathways for intercultural collaboration and systemic change 5. Environmental Conservation Practices Yagé cultivation, forest restoration, and biocultural stewardship as acts of planetary healing Ecological reciprocity and the ethics of care in environmental practice ~ Outcome Creation of co-authored articles, reports, and tools applicable in clinical, academic, ecological, and community contexts—embodying the program’s vision of reciprocal, Indigenous-led science as a transformative practice.
Module 4: Certification
From Learning to Action: Sustaining Knowledge, Community, and Global Impact This final module emphasizes long-term engagement, reciprocity, and the translation of experience into educational and societal impact. Participants apply program learnings through active collaboration with Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and international networks. The focus is on sustaining knowledge, fostering cultural and ecological continuity, and creating pathways for future generations. By integrating ceremonial practice, intercultural research, and global dissemination, participants contribute to a living model of science in dialogue with ancestral wisdom. 1. Active Reciprocity Participation in language revitalization, reforestation, and cultural initiatives Engagement in community projects that reinforce mutual respect and sustainability 2. From Experience to Education Presentation of findings and design of curricula for universities and institutions Translating ancestral knowledge into educational frameworks without appropriation 3. Personal and Academic Continuity Long-term integration plans for researchers, communities, and Indigenous youth Strategies for ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and intercultural practice 4. Internationalization Presentation of results at global health and science conferences Recognition through academic and Indigenous certification, fostering broader intercultural dialogue ~ Outcome Formation of sustainable intercultural networks, innovative curricular pathways, and a replicable model of research and education grounded in dialogue with ancestral knowledge—ensuring the longevity and ethical stewardship of Indigenous-led science and community practice.

The Pillars of the Program
Indigenous-led Research
Knowledge sovereignty, ethical protocols, and intercultural co-research.
Ancestral Plant Education
Experiential learning with Yagé and other sacred plants in ecological, ceremonial, and cultural contexts.
Community-based Education
Revitalization of the Kamëntsá language, intergenerational research, and youth leadership development.





Leadership & Advisory Team
Guided by Indigenous knowledge holders and intercultural researchers, our team unites ceremony, science, and community to nurture ethical learning and cross-cultural collaboration.

Taita Juan Bautista Agreda Chindoy
Spiritual leader, healer, and former Governor; Director of OIOC.

Mercedes Agreda
Youth Educator & Ethno-Pedagogy Facilitator

Andrés Juagibioy Escuela
Language revitalization expert and oral historian

Antonia Narváez
Community storyteller, researcher, and memory keeper.

Erika Salazar
Program co-founder; coordinates intercultural operations and reciprocity.

Dr Anne Schlag
Head of Research, Drug Science UK; ensures academic standards.

Arno Adelaars
Author and Ayahuasca researcher; facilitates cross-cultural dialogue.

Celina De León
Minister and plant medicine educator with extensive teaching experience.
Your Investment (Program Fee)
Co-create an ethical model of Indigenous-led science and education

Next Steps 
 

For universities, research institutions, or organizations sponsoring faculty, students, or staff to participate.
Complete Application
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Our admissions team carefully evaluates each application. 
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We may reach out for additional details or clarification if needed. 
Complete Enrollment & Payment
Program Preparation
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Receive Your Confirmation 
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Flexible payment plans available 
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Receive travel details and make your arrangements 
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Access your reading materials 
Start Program
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Begin online Learning in March 2026 
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Attend 10-day Retreat at Shanayoy from May 21st 
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Receive certification after successful completion of training 
Institutional Seat

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Curious about our Indigenous-led Psychedelic Science Certificate Program? Below are answers to some of the key questions about the program
What is the Indigenous-led Science Certificate Program?
An 8-month hybrid program combining online coursework with a 10-day in-country immersion in Putumayo, Colombia. It offers guided study and experiential training in ethics, intercultural methods, and Indigenous-led approaches to plant knowledge and community-based research.
Who is this program intended for?
Designed for scientists, clinicians, psychologists, educators, and graduate students engaged with plant-medicine research, integration, or community partnerships.
What will participants gain from the program?
Participants will gain practical skills in ethical, Indigenous-led research methods and a foundation in community-based and ecological science. Graduates receive a Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research and gain access to ongoing mentorship and a supportive network of Indigenous leaders, researchers, and allies. These outcomes empower participants to engage in collaborative, culturally grounded research and community initiatives.
What is the format of the program?
The program is hybrid: online preparation and integration followed by a 10-day in-country immersion. Online sessions are conducted weekly, with all sessions recorded for flexible access.
What is the schedule for the online sessions?
Online sessions are held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm America/Bogotá (UTC–5), accommodating both the Americas and Europe. See download schedule above for key dates.
Is the program bilingual?
Yes, the program is bilingual in Spanish and English, with real-time interpretation during live sessions.
What is the workload and credit guidance?
The program involves approximately 200–240 total hours, including both contact and independent work. This typically maps to 6–8 ECTS or 4–6 US semester credits, subject to institutional conversion.
Is the program accessible?
Yes. All online sessions are recorded for flexible viewing, and real-time interpretation supports bilingual accessibility. Additionally, need-based scholarships are available to support participation and ensure equitable access for all learners.
What is the program’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity?
Inclusivity within this program is guided by both intercultural ethics and Indigenous worldviews that honor relationship, respect, and collective belonging. The program welcomes participants of all identities, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing that diversity strengthens the learning experience. In Kamëntsá tradition, every being has a place and a role in the circle of learning — this principle shapes how we hold space, teach, and collaborate throughout the program.
What makes this program unique?
This program is distinguished by its integration of Indigenous knowledge systems with scientific inquiry, emphasizing reciprocity, cultural survival, and community-led research. It fosters a deep understanding of biocultural conservation and intergenerational leadership.
Is prior experience with plant medicine required?
No. While prior experience can be beneficial, the program is designed to accommodate individuals at various levels of familiarity with plant medicine, focusing on ethical collaboration and intercultural learning.
What certification will I receive upon completion?
Participants will receive a Certificate in Ethical & Intercultural Foundations of Indigenous-Led Research, recognizing their commitment to ethical collaboration and reciprocal science, awarded by Drug Science UK
What reciprocity will the Indigenous communities receive through this program?
The program directly supports the Moch Huasɨnch Kamëntsá Language Revitalization School, serving over 120 students in preserving one of the Amazon’s most endangered Indigenous languages. 






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