Foundation
Photonics Workforce Scholarship
Recognize a future technician.
Program Prize
US$5,000
Donate NowFoundation
We are answering the need of the optics and photonics industry and launching a new scholarship for technicians. Funds will be distributed directly to the student to help with tuition, books, supplies or other expenses related to completing the program. Twenty scholarships will be awarded annually through this pilot program.
The foundation will share the resumes of scholarship winners with our corporate members looking to recruit technicians for their companies.
Application Information
How To Apply
If nominated, visit apply.optica.org.
Important Dates
Opens 01 May 2023
Closes 31 December 2023
Applicant Requirements
Students must have completed the first year of a two-year technician program.
Application Requirements
A dean, program director, lead professor or comparable position from a school with a technician program initiates the process by choosing a student by providing a brief letter of recommendation to the Optica Foundation advocating for the student in terms of their potential and need for funding as well as contact information for the student. For inquiries, please contact Foundation@optica.org.
Following nomination, the student will be contacted by the Optica Foundation to provide the following through apply.optica.org:
- Unofficial academic transcript
- Resume/CV
- Statement describing their academic/professional background and interest in the scholarship in 250-500 words:
- What are your educational and career goals, and how will this scholarship assist you in achieving them?
- Describe your experiences and interests related to optics and a career as a technician.
2023 Recipients
Bradley Austin
Central Carolina Community College, USA
Abdelrahman Babiker
Monroe Community College, USA
Jonathan Boufford
Keene State College, USA
Halle Burke
Front Range Community College, USA*
Soojin Cha
Pasadena City College USA
Dylan Crabtree
Niagara College, Canada
Samuel Dodson
Indian River State College, USA
Adam Kushner
Valencia College, USA
Karma Lama
Quinsigamond Community College, USA
Tyler Miller
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, USA
Katherine Mullins
Valencia College, USA
Peter Preston
Springfield Technical Community College, USA
Brandon Roth
Gallatin College, USA
Daniel Stovalosky
Front Range Community College, USA*
Victoria Taylor
Stonehill College, USA
James Vrenick
Iowa Western Community College, USA
Samuel Ward
Indian Hills Community College, USA
*The Front Range Community College Foundation matched the US$5,000 scholarship provided by the Optica Foundation enabling the recognition of two scholars.
