Chang Pivoting Fellowship
Foundation
Chang Pivoting Fellowship
The world needs visionaries with expertise in optics and photonics.
Application Dates
17 March 2025 - 16 May 2025Program Prize
USD 50,000 and travel expenses to be recognized at Frontiers in Optics (FiO)
Apply Now
Foundation
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.
The Fellowship is an investment in a person’s commitment to advancing science through non-traditional career paths such as public policy, government, philanthropy, and journalism.
Application Information
How To Apply
Submit your application at apply.optica.org
Important Dates
Opens 17 March 2025
Closes 16 May 2025
Applicant Requirements
- Must be an Optica Member and an early career professional (1 – 5 years post highest degree).
- Can demonstrate intent to leverage your scientific expertise to advance optical science through non-traditional career paths.
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, objective and skills to be applied or gained, and strengths to be developed.
- Short budget - must utilize template provided.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Note - Finalists for the Pivot Fellowship will participate in an interview session with the Selection Committee. Details will be shared via email.
If you have questions, please contact apply@optica.org.
Recipients
Elvin Chizenga
Lightaceutics, South Africa
for his plans to promote biophotonic healthcare solutions by educating the public on the proper use of devices and commercializing academic innovations.
Fabian Ruf
Helping Hands Network, Germany
for his vision and dedication to creating practical teaching tools and fostering a passion for science through optics in Liberia and other African countries, inspiring teachers and students alike.
Victor Ochoa-Gutierrez
University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
for his dedication to making oximetry more accessible to diverse populations.
Madison Rilling
OPTONIQUE, Canada
for her commitment to bring science, industry, and government together to address critical challenges including climate change and healthcare through evidence-based policy and programs.
Nirmal Punjabi
Sensing and Monitoring Foundation, India
for his vision for closing the gap between the lab environment of sensor development and real-world implementation of sensors for environment and health care applications.
Araceli Venegas-Gomez
QURECA, United Kingdom
for her plans to explore the current state of quantum physics research and the potential emerging technologies, and share her findings with the general public.Contributors
The Pivoting Fellowship was generously endowed by Milton and Rosalind Chang.
2025 Selection Committee
| Name | Affiliation | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Luc Berge | Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique | FRANCE |
| Jason M Eichenholz | Luminar Technologies | UNITED STATES |
| Amy Eskilson | Inrad Optics | UNITED STATES |
| Lenore McMackin | Aurora Innovation Inc. | UNITED STATES |
| Victor Ochoa-Gutierrez | Cornell University | UNITED STATES |
| Nicolaie Ion Pavel | Natl Inst Lasers Plasma & Radiation Phys | ROMANIA |
| Chris B Schaffer | Cornell University | UNITED STATES |
