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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:
  
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  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
  
  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
  
  HyperImage
  The HyperImage project represents the pioneering effort to develop a universal, rapid, modular, and cost-effective spectral image sensing technology platform suitable for both short- and long-range ...
  
  Read more...about HyperImage
  
  WISE
  The WISE project envisions a disruptive and competitive manufacturing concept centred on a single machine that seamlessly integrates macroscale processing techniques, such as Directed Energy ...
  
  Read more...about WISE
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

HyperImage
The HyperImage project represents the pioneering effort to develop a universal, rapid, modular, and cost-effective spectral image sensing technology platform suitable for both short- and long-range ...

Read more...about HyperImage

WISE
The WISE project envisions a disruptive and competitive manufacturing concept centred on a single machine that seamlessly integrates macroscale processing techniques, such as Directed Energy ...

Read more...about WISE
News
- News Archive
  
  Chips to cut AI energy use being developed by European and South Korean scientists
  A team of researchers from Europe and South Korea is using photonics to cut the energy cost of AI and strengthen cybersecurity for future digital services.
  
  Read more...about Chips to cut AI energy use being developed by European and South Korean scientists
  
  Photonics21 in Brussels: How Is Photonics Contributing to Competitiveness?
  Photonics21 engaged with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the future of photonics in Europe.
  
  Read more...about Photonics21 in Brussels: How Is Photonics Contributing to Competitiveness?
  
  Register now to join the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026
  The online registration to Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026 is now open. The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City hotel on 9 & 10 June 2026.
  
  Read more...about Register now to join the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026
Chips to cut AI energy use being developed by European and South Korean scientists
A team of researchers from Europe and South Korea is using photonics to cut the energy cost of AI and strengthen cybersecurity for future digital services.

Read more...about Chips to cut AI energy use being developed by European and South Korean scientists

Photonics21 in Brussels: How Is Photonics Contributing to Competitiveness?
Photonics21 engaged with representatives of the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the future of photonics in Europe.

Read more...about Photonics21 in Brussels: How Is Photonics Contributing to Competitiveness?

Register now to join the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026
The online registration to Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026 is now open. The event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brussels City hotel on 9 & 10 June 2026.

Read more...about Register now to join the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026
Events
- Upcoming
  
  12 March 2026
  
  360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Qilimanjaro)
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Qilimanjaro)
  
  20 March 2026
  
  360 CARLA Symposium Barcelona - Quantum CARLA: The Photonics Careers Symposium
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Symposium Barcelona - Quantum CARLA: The Photonics Careers Symposium
  
  23 March 2026
  
  360 CARLA Symposium Grenoble
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Symposium Grenoble
- Archive
  
  18 February 2026
  
  360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (SENSOFAR)
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (SENSOFAR)
  
  12 February 2026
  
  360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Vitsolc)
  Read more...about 360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Vitsolc)
  
  04 December 2025
  
  CARLA Camp: The Photonics Careers Symposium - 6th edition
  Read more...about CARLA Camp: The Photonics Careers Symposium - 6th edition
06–08 March 2026

14th International Conference on Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology
Read more...about 14th International Conference on Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology

12 March 2026

360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Qilimanjaro)
Read more...about 360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Qilimanjaro)

17 March 2026

Minalogic Business Meetings
Read more...about Minalogic Business Meetings
Membership

PhotonQBoost Matching Mission in Prague, Czech Republic: Focus on Manufacturing & Industrial Optics

© Rzoog – Fotolia.com

2026 24–26 March

The PhotonQBoost Matching Mission in the Czech Republic will take place from March 24 to March 26, 2026, in Prague and is dedicated to strengthening connections between European SMEs and the Czech photonics and optical manufacturing ecosystem. It is part of the PhotonQBoost project’s strategic programme of matching visits designed to foster cross‑border collaboration, innovation matchmaking, and knowledge exchange

Open event website

Upcoming Events & Workshops

06–08 March 2026
Marbella, Spain

14th International Conference on Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology

This edition of PHOTOPTICS will feature three dedicated tracks: Optics, which covers fundamental and applied research in classical and modern optics; Photonics, focusing on advancements in optical ...

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12 March 2026
Qilimanjaro (Barcelona)

360 CARLA Experience Barcelona (Qilimanjaro)

ICFO and Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech are delighted to invite you to the upcoming 360 CARLA Experience about Quantum computing. When: 12 March 2026 Where: Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech ...

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17 March 2026
Alpexpo, Grenoble - France

Minalogic Business Meetings

A 100% business day to meet your future technology partners! After Lyon, the Minalogic Business Meetings return to Grenoble — the heart of innovation and deeptech — for a promising 2026 edition. Join ...

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Latest news about Photonics21

Photonics21
Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Chips to cut AI energy use being developed by European and South Korean scientists

Read more...

Photonics21
Friday, 06 February 2026

Photonics21 in Brussels: How Is Photonics Contributing to Competitiveness?

Read more...

Photonics21
Thursday, 15 January 2026

Register now to join the Photonics Partnership Annual Meeting 2026

Read more...

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