Tingye Li Innovation Prize (OFC)

About this program

The Tingye Li Innovation Prize, funded by Alliance Fiber Optic Products, AT&T, Optica, the IEEE Photonics Society, the IEEE Communications Society, Thorlabs, the Li family and other supporters, awards US$3,000 at the OFC conference to recognize innovation and research excellence in laser science and optical fiber communications. It is presented to an early‑career member of Optica, the IEEE Communications Society or the IEEE Photonics Society whose accepted OFC paper demonstrates exceptional innovation. Applicants must be current members of one of the three societies, be within five years of receiving their terminal degree, have an accepted OFC paper, opt into the competition during submission and complete a short questionnaire. The application requires a 500‑word description of the work’s innovative nature and the applicant’s contribution plus a brief (up to 500 words) biography.