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.

The Prize was established in honor of Valentin Gapontsev's groundbreaking work and 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 critical 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.  Recipients will be granted total research freedom with consideration being given to the following:

1. Work focused on advancing basic research, or pursuing a compelling project that has a meaningful global impact.
2. Efforts focused on transitioning an idea into a commercial innovation.

This Prize is funded by the VPG Foundation.

Application Information

How To Apply

Applications available at apply.optica.org

Important Dates

Opens 02 March 2026
Closes 01 May 2026

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Optica member.
• Must be an early-career professional (1-5 years post highest degree).
• Conducting research in fiber laser technology.
  • Examples of some eligible disciplines 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 career breaks from career timelines (e.g., eldercare, maternity or paternity leave, inability to work due to COVID-19, military service).

Application Requirements

• CV/Resume (Max 4 pages).
• 150-word Research Proposal Summary
• Proposal (Max 2 pages).
  • Highlight current research and the potential impact of your project/research on the science and applications of fiber laser technologies, how it could solve real-world challenges and/or have a global impact.
  • Overview of how the $20,000 prize would benefit your research and career.
• One example of published work. 
• Two letters of recommendation.

If you have questions, please contact prizes@optica.org.

Recipients

2025

Daniel Lesko

FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg & LMU München, Germany

For his contributions in developing high-power few-cycle fiber frequency combs and their applications in attosecond and strong-field physics.

2024

Michael Müller

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, PULS, Germany

For his groundbreaking work in developing one of the world's most powerful ultrafast fiber lasers, achieving 10.4 kW of average power. His innovations in pulse compression and oscillator stabilization promise significant advancements in nanotechnology, biomedical research and environmental monitoring.