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- Photonics21
  
  Photonics21
  The European Technology Platform Photonics21 unites the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders along the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics21
- Photonics Partnership
  
  Photonics Partnership
  The Photonics21 association is an international non-profit association with scientific purpose governed by the provisions of Title 3 of the Belgium Law of twenty-seventh of June nineteen hundred ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics Partnership
  
  Research & Innovation Priorities
  
  Research & Innovation Priorities
  Setting photonics research and innovation Prorities for the Horizon Europe Work Programmes lies in the heart of the Photonics Partnership tasks.
  
  Read more...about Research & Innovation Priorities
  
  Structures, Processes and Statutes
  
  Structures, Processes and Statutes
  The Photonics Partnership acts as a "mouthpiece" of the European Technology Platform Photonics21 (and its more than 4,000 members) towards the European Commission.
  
  Read more...about Structures, Processes and Statutes
- Structure
  
  Structure
  Photonics21 is composed of several bodies. You can find more information on the structure of the platform in the following sections.
  
  Read more...about Structure
  
  Board of Stakeholders
  
  Board of Stakeholders
  The Board of Stakeholders (BoS) is the main decision-making body of the platform. In particular, the BoS bears responsibility for:
  
  Read more...about Board of Stakeholders
  
  Executive Board
  
  Executive Board
  The Executive Board (EB) is the managing body of the platform. The EB is responsible for the coordination and execution of the platform operations, for the preparation and the implementation of the ...
  
  Read more...about Executive Board
  
  Work Groups
  
  Work Groups
  The Photonics21 Work Groups (WGs) are the main centres of activities within Photonics21. They focus on the development of the work group specific research and innovation priorites and the update of ...
  
  Read more...about Work Groups
  
  Work Group 1
  Digital Infrastructure
  
  Work Group 1
  Early 2020, with the onset of COVID-19, digital infrastructure became an even more essential part of our personal and professional lives, acting as a 'lifeblood' the likes of which we have never seen ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 1
  
  Work Group 2
  Manufacturing
  
  Work Group 2
  The Grand Challenges facing European research are well-documented. Digitisation, and a sustainable and circular approach for manufacturing and materials, will be the basis for a competitive, ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 2
  
  Work Group 3
  Health
  
  Work Group 3
  The European population is ageing increasingly: the number of people today older than 65 relative to those in the working-age is assumed to double by 2045. Since age is a major factor for a higher ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 3
  
  Work Group 4
  Climate, Mobility & Energy
  
  Work Group 4
  Photonics plays a role in the targets of Decarbonisation towards Zero Emission Road Transport, Clean Energy Transition, the Industrial Battery Value Chain, Renewable Energy with photovoltaics, energy ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 4
  
  Work Group 5
  Safety, Security, Space & Defense
  
  Work Group 5
  A key responsibility of government is to keep its citizens protected and to make them feel safe. This can be accomplished on three levels: (1) Civilian empowerment, (2) Law enforcement and public ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 5
  
  Work Group 6
  Agriculture & Food
  
  Work Group 6
  By 2030, the technology to feed a world population of 10 billion, push back food-borne illness, and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture needs to be in place. ...
  
  Read more...about Work Group 6
  
  Work Group 7
  Core Photonics
  
  Work Group 7
  Photonics will play a vital role in addressing the key socio-economic challenges facing Europe in the 21st century. As examples, we may note the following:
  
  Read more...about Work Group 7
  
  Mirror Group
  
  Mirror Group
  The Mirror Group constitutes the public complement to the industry-led Photonics21 Board of Stakeholders. It supports and reflects ("mirrors") the activities of Photonics21 at policy level and from a ...
  
  Read more...about Mirror Group
Photonics21
The European Technology Platform Photonics21 unites the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders along the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today ...

Read more...about Photonics21

Photonics Partnership
The Photonics21 association is an international non-profit association with scientific purpose governed by the provisions of Title 3 of the Belgium Law of twenty-seventh of June nineteen hundred ...

Read more...about Photonics Partnership

Structure
Photonics21 is composed of several bodies. You can find more information on the structure of the platform in the following sections.

Read more...about Structure
Services
- Photonics for Finance
  
  Photonics for Finance
  The financing of innovative photonics companies in their different growth phases is a serious problem in Europe. Thats why Photonics21 strives to improve the access to financing for European photonics ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Finance
- Photonics for Industry
  
  Photonics for Industry
  Several European pilot lines, which help companies take photonics technologies from lab into market, have been launched by the Photonics Partnership. The pilot lines mean that companies will be able ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Industry
- Photonics for Education
  
  Photonics for Education
  The Photonics Partnership supports various projects with the aim of bringing photonics into the education system of Europe. In this sector we dive a bit deeper into this projects.
  
  Read more...about Photonics for Education
- European Calls
  
  European Calls
  There are regular Photonics Calls for Proposals published by the European Commission. The Photonics21 community is the dedicated body to define the European call topics for photonics.
  
  Read more...about European Calls
- Photonics Downloads
  
  Photonics Downloads
  The most relevant and recent publications from Photonics21 and the Photonics PPP can be found and downloaded in this section.
  
  Read more...about Photonics Downloads
Photonics for Education
The Photonics Partnership supports various projects with the aim of bringing photonics into the education system of Europe. In this sector we dive a bit deeper into this projects.

Read more...about Photonics for Education

Photonics for Finance
The financing of innovative photonics companies in their different growth phases is a serious problem in Europe. Thats why Photonics21 strives to improve the access to financing for European photonics ...

Read more...about Photonics for Finance

Photonics for Industry
Several European pilot lines, which help companies take photonics technologies from lab into market, have been launched by the Photonics Partnership. The pilot lines mean that companies will be able ...

Read more...about Photonics for Industry
Projects
- Projects
  
  CoRaLi-DAR
  CoRaLi-DAR aims at developing an advanced detection and ranging sensor system based on a collaborative scheme, integrating on the same module both radio and light-based sensing.
  
  Read more...about CoRaLi-DAR
  
  360 CARLA
  As in other Deep Tech areas, there is a shortage of qualified professionals in the field. This shortage is due to lack of education and training programs, unawareness of the career opportunities that ...
  
  Read more...about 360 CARLA
  
  Med-IPUT
  The multi-sensing 'Medical Integrated Photonic Ultrasound Transducer' (MED-IPUT) project will develop a high-resolution, high-quality, recyclable medical imaging system based on a disruptive ...
  
  Read more...about Med-IPUT
CoRaLi-DAR
CoRaLi-DAR aims at developing an advanced detection and ranging sensor system based on a collaborative scheme, integrating on the same module both radio and light-based sensing.

Read more...about CoRaLi-DAR

360 CARLA
As in other Deep Tech areas, there is a shortage of qualified professionals in the field. This shortage is due to lack of education and training programs, unawareness of the career opportunities that ...

Read more...about 360 CARLA

Med-IPUT
The multi-sensing 'Medical Integrated Photonic Ultrasound Transducer' (MED-IPUT) project will develop a high-resolution, high-quality, recyclable medical imaging system based on a disruptive ...

Read more...about Med-IPUT
News
- News Archive
  
  Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
  The recently concluded 42-month Photonics Partnership project ELENA announced the development of the first-ever, European-made lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) substrates for photonic integrated ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
  
  Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and Predict Volcanic Blasts
  European scientists are building a vast environmental sensing network by adding light-based sensors to underground internet cables that stretch more than five billion kilometres around the world. The ...
  
  Read more...about Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and Predict Volcanic Blasts
  
  Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security”, says EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at 20th Anniversary Event
  With over 220 participants, the 2025 edition of the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting (PPAM 2025) again showed itself to be Europe's photonics event of the year. Taking place at the historic ...
  
  Read more...about Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security”, says EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at 20th Anniversary Event
Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers
The recently concluded 42-month Photonics Partnership project ELENA announced the development of the first-ever, European-made lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) substrates for photonic integrated ...

Read more...about Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers

Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and Predict Volcanic Blasts
European scientists are building a vast environmental sensing network by adding light-based sensors to underground internet cables that stretch more than five billion kilometres around the world. The ...

Read more...about Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and Predict Volcanic Blasts

Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security”, says EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at 20th Anniversary Event
With over 220 participants, the 2025 edition of the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting (PPAM 2025) again showed itself to be Europe's photonics event of the year. Taking place at the historic ...

Read more...about Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security”, says EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at 20th Anniversary Event
Events
- Upcoming
  
  28–29 August 2025
  
  360 CARLA Symposium & Training Delft
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Symposium & Training Delft
  
  16–17 October 2025
  
  360 CARLA Training Dolní Břežany
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Training Dolní Břežany
  
  21 October 2025
  
  Photonics & Electronics 4 Defence
  Read more...about Photonics & Electronics 4 Defence
- Archive
  
  03 July 2025
  
  Photonics 4 Agrifood at EKOAgriTech
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Agrifood at EKOAgriTech
  
  26–26 June 2026
  
  Photonics 4 Bio-Diagnostics
  Read more...about Photonics 4 Bio-Diagnostics
  
  06 June 2025
  
  360 CARLA Career Symposium Finland
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Career Symposium Finland
15–18 July 2025

2nd Photonics Talent International Summer School
Read more...about 2nd Photonics Talent International Summer School

22–25 July 2025

META 2025, 15th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics
Read more...about META 2025, 15th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics

18–22 August 2025

Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics
Read more...about Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics
Membership

Tuesday, 01 July 2025

Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for …

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© ELENA project

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and …

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© GASPOF project

Friday, 23 May 2025

Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, …

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© Photonics21 / Iris Haidau (Babylonia)

Thursday, 24 April 2025

EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future

Read more

© SPRINTER project

Thursday, 27 March 2025

“Without photonics, there is no AI, no quantum computing, no …

Read more

© Markus Steur

Next Photonics21 Events

28–29 Aug 2025
Delft, The Netherlands
360 CARLA Symposium & Training Delft

16–17 Oct 2025
HiLASE centre, Dolní Břežany (Czechia)
360 CARLA Training Dolní Břežany

21 Oct 2025
Stockholm, Kista, Sweden
Photonics & Electronics 4 Defence

01–05 Dec 2025
Gremoble, France
360 CARLA Symposium & Training Grenoble

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Photonics

A Key Enabling Technology for Europe

The European Technology Platform Photonics21 represents the photonics community of industry and research organisations. Jointly with the European Commission our members develop and implement a common photonics strategy in a Horizon Europe Photonics Partnership to realise Europe's digital and green transformation goals and to secure European sovereignty.

Latest Information

News

View all news

01.07.2025 | Photonics21

Photonics Partnership Project ELENA Pioneers LNOI Platform for Next-Gen Photonic Circuits & Europe’s 1st Commercial Supplier of LNOI Wafers

19.06.2025 | Photonics21

Scientists tap Underground Internet Cables to Fight Air Pollution and Predict Volcanic Blasts

23.05.2025 | Photonics21

Photonics is “a strategic asset for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and security”, says EU Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen at 20th Anniversary Event

24.04.2025 | Photonics21

EU invests €6 million in new networks to power factories of the future

Events

View all events

26–26 June 2026 | End-user Workshops

Photonics 4 Bio-Diagnostics

15–18 July 2025 | Other

2nd Photonics Talent International Summer School

22–25 July 2025 | Other

META 2025, 15th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics

18–22 August 2025 | Other

Joensuu Summer School on Optics: Innovation Skills in Photonics

LinkedIn

Discover the Photonics21 Work Groups

Work Group 1 Digital Infrastructure

Work Group 2 Manufacturing

Work Group 3 Health

Work Group 4 Climate, Mobility & Energy

Work Group 5 Safety, Security, Space & Defence

Work Group 6 Agriculture & Food

Work Group 7 Core Photonics

Photonics Partnership Services

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Photonics for Finance Read more...

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Photonics for Industry Read more...

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Photonics for Education Read more...

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European Calls Read more...

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Photonics Downloads Read more...

Photonics Partnership Projects

FLASH

While current state-of-the-art laser systems are optimised for single applications, FLASH will develop a versatile platform ...

PHOENIX

The EU-funded PHOENIX project is seeking to create the next generation of PICs by working with new material platforms, such as ...

Med-IPUT

The multi-sensing 'Medical Integrated Photonic Ultrasound Transducer' (MED-IPUT) project will develop a high-resolution, ...

ADOPTION

ADOPTION is aiming to create a new ecosystem of research and innovation, building on the complementary expertise of 3 SMEs, 3 ...

SPRINTER

SPRINTER will develop a set of low-cost, energy efficient and ultra-dynamic optical transceivers and optical switching solutions ...

ECSTATIC

The EU-funded ECSTATIC project aims to harness this vast existing network by developing a groundbreaking interferometry- and ...

HORTIQD

The HortiQD project aims to develop an affordable and user-friendly machine vision system for precision farming, specifically ...

SoFiN

SoFiN contributes to adaptive photonic multi-sensing systems with focus on:a)developing & testing a novel flexible, adaptive, ...

GlobalAM

The GlobalAM project aims to overcome the limitations of Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) in producing complex geometries at a large ...

View all projects

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