The Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers provides recognition and funding for early-career professionals engaged in exciting and innovative projects with the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies.
In honor of Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work, this award champions emerging researchers passionate about advancing fiber laser technology. By empowering early-career talent, it fosters the potential for groundbreaking innovations and real-world applications. Recognizing the ciritcal role of innovative research, the prize underscores the importance of pushing the boundaries of fiber lasers, in line with Gapontsev's vision for technological advancement.
Application Information:
Important Dates:
Opens: 16 December 2024
Closes: 14 February 2025
Applicant Requirements:
- Must be an Optica member.
- Must be an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree) pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.
- Demonstrate the unique nature and global reach of the project. Conducting research in fiber laser technology.
Examples of some, but not all, eligible areas include fundamental and theoretical advances; advanced manufacturing and materials processing; medical applications and biophotonics; energy production and nuclear fusion; art, conservation, and cultural heritage preservation.
Program requirements recognize and exclude breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare, maternity or paternity leave, inability to work due to COVID-19 and lab closures, and long-term illness).
Application Requirements:
- Applicant name, institution, and contact information
- Applicant CV/Resume* - no more than four (4) pages
-Proposal* covering Current research and your project's intended potential impact to advance the Fiber Laser Technologies field. Potential for your research to solve real-world challenges and/or have a global impact. An overview of how the US$20,000 prize would benefit your research and career. Proposals should be no more than two (2) pages
-One (1) example of published work
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
*These documents must adhere to the following formatting requirements.*
Formatting Requirements:
Paper size should comply with the international standard of A4 (8.3" x 11.7"; 210mmx297mm)Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier New at 11 points or larger font size. A font size of less than 11 points may be used for mathematical formulas or equations, figures, table or diagram captions, and when using a Symbol font to insert Greek letters or special characters in all directions, it must be at least 1" (2.54cm)Use a standard single-column format for text. Regardless of font, readability is vital.
If you have questions, please contact apply@optica.org.
Contributors:
The VPG Foundation endows this prize.
About the Endowment:
Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work in fiber lasers has revolutionized the photonics industry, setting new standards for performance, efficiency, and applications across various sectors. Honoring him with this prize celebrates his monumental contributions and inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers to pursue innovation with similar passion and determination. Establishing this prize in his name is a tribute to pioneering excellence and encourages continued advancement in fiber laser technology.
2025 Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers
The Gapontsev Prize for Innovations in Fiber Lasers provides recognition and funding for early-career professionals engaged in exciting and innovative projects with the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies.
In honor of Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work, this award champions emerging researchers passionate about advancing fiber laser technology. By empowering early-career talent, it fosters the potential for groundbreaking innovations and real-world applications. Recognizing the ciritcal role of innovative research, the prize underscores the importance of pushing the boundaries of fiber lasers, in line with Gapontsev's vision for technological advancement.
Application Information:
Important Dates:
Opens: 16 December 2024
Closes: 14 February 2025
Applicant Requirements:
- Must be an Optica member.
- Must be an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree) pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.
- Demonstrate the unique nature and global reach of the project. Conducting research in fiber laser technology.
Examples of some, but not all, eligible areas include fundamental and theoretical advances; advanced manufacturing and materials processing; medical applications and biophotonics; energy production and nuclear fusion; art, conservation, and cultural heritage preservation.
Program requirements recognize and exclude breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare, maternity or paternity leave, inability to work due to COVID-19 and lab closures, and long-term illness).
Application Requirements:
- Applicant name, institution, and contact information
- Applicant CV/Resume* - no more than four (4) pages
-Proposal* covering Current research and your project's intended potential impact to advance the Fiber Laser Technologies field. Potential for your research to solve real-world challenges and/or have a global impact. An overview of how the US$20,000 prize would benefit your research and career. Proposals should be no more than two (2) pages
-One (1) example of published work
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
*These documents must adhere to the following formatting requirements.*
Formatting Requirements:
Paper size should comply with the international standard of A4 (8.3" x 11.7"; 210mmx297mm)Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier New at 11 points or larger font size. A font size of less than 11 points may be used for mathematical formulas or equations, figures, table or diagram captions, and when using a Symbol font to insert Greek letters or special characters in all directions, it must be at least 1" (2.54cm)Use a standard single-column format for text. Regardless of font, readability is vital.
If you have questions, please contact apply@optica.org.
Contributors:
The VPG Foundation endows this prize.
About the Endowment:
Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work in fiber lasers has revolutionized the photonics industry, setting new standards for performance, efficiency, and applications across various sectors. Honoring him with this prize celebrates his monumental contributions and inspires the next generation of scientists and engineers to pursue innovation with similar passion and determination. Establishing this prize in his name is a tribute to pioneering excellence and encourages continued advancement in fiber laser technology.