Couillaud Prize in Ultrafast Lasers Grant

Couillaud Prize in Ultrafast Lasers Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Optica Foundation
Amount: US $20,000
Last Updated: January 21, 2026

Summary

The Couillaud Prize in Ultrafast Lasers, established by the Optica Foundation and Coherent, Inc., supports early-career professionals to pursue innovative research in ultrafast photonics. With a stipend of $20,000 and travel expenses, recipients gain total research freedom to tackle significant issues in the field. This initiative aims to advance both basic research and commercial innovations, fostering impactful solutions in ultrafast laser applications.

Overview

Optica Foundation Established in 2002, the Optica Foundation carries out charitable activities in support of the society’s student and early career communities. We cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering and business worldwide. The foundation also works to secure the endowments for Optica’s awards and honors programs. The foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Couillaud Prize in Ultrafast Lasers The Optica Foundation and Coherent, Inc. partnered to create the Bernard J. Couillaud Prize, which provides the opportunity for an early career professional to pursue a compelling and innovative project that has the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of ultrafast lasers. The goal is to support individuals in the area of ultrafast photonics for the purpose of providing dynamic and rigorous research with a state-of-the-art approach to solving difficult, real-world problems. Recipients will be granted total research freedom with consideration being given to the following: Work focused on advancing basic research, or pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.Efforts focused on transitioning an idea into a commercial innovation. Program Prize US$20,000 stipend and travel expenses to be recognized at CLEO.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Must be an Optica member.Must be an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree).Program requirements recognize and exclude career breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare, maternity, paternity leave, inability to work due to COVID-19).Conducting research in Ultrafast Lasers.Examples of some eligible disciplines within ultrafast lasers: biological imaging, ultrafast pulsing, laser material processing, non-thermal manufacturing and attosecond pulses. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.