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, and journalism.

Application Information

How To Apply

Visit apply.optica.org.

Important Dates

Opens 06 May 2024
Closes 21 June 2024

Applicant Requirements

Be a current early career Optica member who has received a terminal degree within the last five (5) years or who will receive a terminal degree by the application deadline.

Program requirements recognize and exclude career breaks from career timelines (e.g. eldercare, maternity or paternity leave).

Application Requirements

1. Applicant name, institution and contact information
2. Applicant CV or resume
   • Must not exceed four (4) pages 
   • Paper size must comply with the international standard of A4 (8.3" x 11.7"; 210mmx297mm)
   • Margins, in all directions, must be at least 1" (2.54cm)
   • Must use a standard single-column format for text
   • Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier at a font size of 11 points or larger
3. Applicant must provide a Proposal Submission
   • Highlight your intent with regard to leveraging your scientific expertise and knowledge to the betterment of the field and society outside of the traditional career paths. This should include your goals and objectives, skills to be applied or gained, and strengths to be developed.
   • Must not exceed four (4) pages 
   • Paper size must comply with the international standard of A4 (8.3" x 11.7"; 210mmx297mm)
   • Margins, in all directions, must be at least 1" (2.54cm)
   • Must use a standard single-column format for text
   • Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier at a font size of 11 points or larger
4. Short budget - must utilize template provided
5. Applicant must provide two (2) letters of recommendation

Recipients

2024 PIVOTING FELLOW

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.

2023 PIVOTING FELLOW

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.

2022 PIVOTING FELLOW

Victor Ochoa-Gutierrez

University of Glasgow, United Kingdom

for his dedication to making oximetry more accessible to diverse populations.

2021 PIVOTING FELLOW

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.

2020 PIVOTING FELLOW

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.

2019 PIVOTING FELLOW

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 & Rosalind Chang.