The Milton and Rosalind Chang Pivoting Fellowship provides unrestricted funding to talented, early-career optical scientists and engineers who believe their expertise can improve society outside of the lab. We encourage those with vision and exceptional talent to apply and pursue a newfound passion. Each year, we present this “no strings” stipend of US$50,000 to one Optica Member. The fellowship is an investment in a person’s commitment to advancing science through non-traditional career paths such as public policy, government, and journalism.
Important Dates
Opens 17 March 2025Closes 16 May 2025
Applicant Requirements
Be a current early career Optica member who has received a terminal degree within the last five (5) years or who will receive a terminal degree by the application deadline.
Program requirements recognize and exclude career breaks from career timelines (e.g. eldercare, maternity or paternity leave).
Application Requirements
- CV/ Resume (Max 4 pages).
- Proposal (Max 4 pages).
- Highlight your intent to leverage your scientific expertise to the betterment of the field and society outside of the traditional career paths. Including your goals, objectives and skills to be applied or gained, and strengths to be developed.
- Short budget - must utilize the template provided.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Document Formatting Requirements:
- Size: A4 (8.3" x 11.7").
- Margins: 1" (2.54cm) minimum, all sides.
- Format: Single-column.
- Font: Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier, 11pt or larger.
- Font sizes below 11pt are permissible for mathematical formulas/equations, figure/table captions, and special characters.
2025 Chang Pivoting Fellowship
The Milton and Rosalind Chang Pivoting Fellowship provides unrestricted funding to talented, early-career optical scientists and engineers who believe their expertise can improve society outside of the lab. We encourage those with vision and exceptional talent to apply and pursue a newfound passion. Each year, we present this “no strings” stipend of US$50,000 to one Optica Member. The fellowship is an investment in a person’s commitment to advancing science through non-traditional career paths such as public policy, government, and journalism.
Important Dates
Opens 17 March 2025Closes 16 May 2025
Applicant Requirements
Be a current early career Optica member who has received a terminal degree within the last five (5) years or who will receive a terminal degree by the application deadline.
Program requirements recognize and exclude career breaks from career timelines (e.g. eldercare, maternity or paternity leave).
Application Requirements
- CV/ Resume (Max 4 pages).
- Proposal (Max 4 pages).
- Highlight your intent to leverage your scientific expertise to the betterment of the field and society outside of the traditional career paths. Including your goals, objectives and skills to be applied or gained, and strengths to be developed.
- Short budget - must utilize the template provided.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Document Formatting Requirements:
- Size: A4 (8.3" x 11.7").
- Margins: 1" (2.54cm) minimum, all sides.
- Format: Single-column.
- Font: Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier, 11pt or larger.
- Font sizes below 11pt are permissible for mathematical formulas/equations, figure/table captions, and special characters.