31/10/2025
Phortify (Photonics education network for next-gen innovation and digital skills excellence for industry and society, €5 million EU funding) is a Digital Europe Programme action delivered by a consortium of 12 partners coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The initiative harmonises learning outcomes and quality assurance, enables cross-border mobility, and awards certifications to accelerate Europe’s photonics talent pipeline.
Phortify creates a shared photonics curriculum across seven Master’s programmes, complemented by industry-co-designed self-standing modules for professionals. Students and researchers will gain access to Europe’s leading laboratories, digital resources, and instructors, while companies benefit from graduates trained on real tools, workflows, and challenges.
Photonics—the science and engineering of light—enables technologies from high-speed communications and medical imaging to advanced manufacturing and AI. With a global market projected to reach €1.4 trillion by 2032, Phortify ensures Europe remains competitive by equipping the next generation with cutting-edge skills.
The programme places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, offering scholarships, mobility support, and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups. A digital library, hybrid learning model with remote and XR-enabled labs, and industry-supervised projects will make top-quality training accessible across borders.
Phortify (Grant Agreement No. 101226191 - Digital Europe Programme) is a four-years initiative: the National Research Cuoncil of Italy (Cnr) is part of the Consortium wit the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies (Cnr-Ifn). Ohers partner are:
- • Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) — Belgium — Coordinator
• Universiteit Gent (UGent) — Belgium
• Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) — Italy
• Active Fiber Systems GmbH (AFS) — Germany
• Fundació Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO-CERCA) — Spain
• Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) — Netherlands
• Politechnika Warszawska (Warsaw University of Technology, WUT) — Poland
• Itä-Suomen yliopisto (University of Eastern Finland, UEF) — Finland
• Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (FSU) — Germany
• Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. (Leibniz-IPHT) — Germany
• SMART Photonics B.V. — Netherlands
How to participate: visit www.phortify.eu or contact the email address info@phortify.eu
Per informazioni:
Cristian Manzoni
Cnr-Ifn
cristian.manzoni@cnr.it
Fabio Chiarello, Cnr-Ifn, email: fabio.chiarello@cnr.it
Ufficio stampa:
Francesca Gorini
Cnr Press Office
francesca.gorini@cnr.it
Responsabile Unità Ufficio stampa:
Emanuele Guerrini
emanuele.guerrini@cnr.it
ufficiostampa@cnr.it
06 4993 3383