SPIE and UNC Charlotte create $1 million endowment to fund doctoral optical science research scholarships

A new endowment targets PhD research support in a fast-growing engineering field

SPIE and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte have created a $1 million endowed fund to support doctoral-research scholarships in the university’s Optical Science and Engineering program. The endowment combines a $500,000 gift from SPIE with a $500,000 match from the UNC Charlotte Foundation.

The scholarships, named the SPIE Emerging Innovators in Optical Science and Engineering Scholarships, are designed to support two PhD students pursuing doctoral work in the program. The university and SPIE said the endowment is the first of its kind for UNC Charlotte’s Optical Science and Engineering program.

Where the money will be focused

UNC Charlotte’s Optical Science and Engineering program emphasizes research areas that span both foundational science and applied technology. The announcement cited program focus areas including nanophotonics, quantum optics, biomedical imaging, and advanced optical materials.

By directing scholarship support to doctoral researchers, the endowment aims to increase capacity for sustained research activity, including the training of specialized talent for academic, industry, and government roles tied to optics and photonics.

Announced during Photonics West as the sector gathers in San Francisco

The endowment was announced during SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco, an annual industry and research gathering that brings together conferences, courses, and exhibitions. The 2026 event is scheduled for Jan. 17–22, with the exhibition portion running Jan. 20–22 at the Moscone Center.

Photonics West is one of the major international meeting points for optics and photonics, a field underpinning technologies such as imaging systems, semiconductor manufacturing tools, laser-based instrumentation, and emerging quantum applications.

Part of a broader matching-gift strategy

The new UNC Charlotte endowment is part of SPIE’s Endowment Matching Program, established in 2019 to expand teaching and research capacity in optics and photonics. Under the program’s structure, participating institutions secure funding that is then matched by SPIE, with the match amount reaching up to $500,000 per award.

SPIE said the UNC Charlotte endowment represents the society’s 14th major gift to universities and institutes under the program. SPIE reported that, with the latest gift, it has provided more than $5.5 million in matching gifts, helping generate more than $14 million in dedicated funds.

Key elements of the new scholarship endowment

• $1 million total endowment, funded through a $500,000 SPIE gift and a $500,000 institutional match.
• Support intended for two doctoral students in UNC Charlotte’s Optical Science and Engineering program.
• Research emphasis includes nanophotonics, quantum optics, biomedical imaging, and advanced optical materials.
• Structured as an endowed fund, designed for ongoing scholarship support rather than a one-time award.

Leaders from SPIE and UNC Charlotte described the fund as a way to expand doctoral capacity and strengthen talent development tied to optics and photonics research.