Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Initiative solicitation issued; SPIE leaders cite community efforts

Launch of a competition to select a specific direction for the newly authorized Integrated Photonics Manufacturing Institute (IPMI) is due in part to diligent, concerted effort on the part of dedicated volunteers from throughout the community, say leaders of SPIE.

The Institutes for Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs) will operate as regional hubs, bridging the gap between applied research and product development by bringing together companies, universities, and other academic and training institutions with federal agencies, to co-invest in key technology areas that encourage investment and production in the U.S.

Altogether, six IMIs have been announced. The integrated photonics institute is among four to be led by the Department of Defense (DoD), and has a planned government investment of up to $110 million to be shared at least 1:1 by the private sector.

"Individuals from throughout the photonics ecosystem have worked diligently for the establishment of a photonics-centric IMI," said James McNally, chair of the SPIE Engineering Science, Technology, and Policy (ESTeP) Committee. "This accomplishment is the result of many visits to Congressional offices, multiple interactions with the White House, numerous optics technology demonstrations at various laboratories and companies throughout the U.S., and other conversations sharing the important contributions that optics and photonics make in our lives."

More information is in a press release issued by the NPI (see link below) on the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). A Proposers Day is planned for 19 November in Rosslyn, Virginia.

The NPI team will hold an informational webinar at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday 24 November for people interested in responding to the BAA. A registration form will be posted at www.lightourfuture.org.