The Catalyst Award is annual award that recognizes a for-profit photonics company that has made significant beneficial social or environmental impact. The winner will be announced at the Prism Awards ceremony.
Shown here is the 2026 winner, Cerca Magnetics.
Applications have closed.
| Applications open | 1 July 2025 |
| Prism applications close | 9 September 2025 |
| Catalyst applications close | 12 September 2025 |
| Finalists announced | 5 November 2025 |
| Event date | 21 January 2026 |
Cerca Magnetics
Quantum OPM-MEG for Autism
Cerca Magnetics has developed and brought to market the world's first commercial, fully integrated brain imaging device based on OPMs.
SCHOTT AG
100% Hydrogen Optical Glass Production
SCHOTT successfully tested how glass can be melted with 100 percent hydrogen.
SCHOTT’s project aims to decarbonize optical glass production by replacing natural gas with 100% hydrogen fuel, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. Over six years of research, the project progressed from small-scale trials to full-scale production, achieving seamless transitions to hydrogen while maintaining high glass quality. A major milestone included a continuous three-day production run using hydrogen without any negative impact on product properties. This innovation proves hydrogen’s feasibility as a clean energy source for high-temperature processes and sets a precedent for other energy-intensive industries. Challenges with green hydrogen availability persist, but SCHOTT’s model paves the way for sustainable industrial practices.
Intel Corporation
Innovative and Inclusive Semiconductor Workforce Development Programs: QuickStart and Returnships
Intel’s inclusive workforce development programs welcome those that take a career break or show capability after two weeks of accelerated training.
Addressing expected workforce shortfalls and in partnership with local community colleges, workforce, and community groups, QuickStart, a unique 40-hour, hands-on training program with wrap-around services was created. Classes are taught at local community colleges. Once students successfully complete it, they are eligible to interview for entry-level manufacturing positions. The program has goals of recruiting and training individuals including, in part, those who have been historically underrepresented in the technology industry: women, people of color, and rural residents. In addition, a program was created specifically for enabling experienced individuals with a voluntary career break to return to the workforce via specific openings for those “returning.”
How to Apply:
1. Review the application questions here: Catalyst Application Question PDF
2. Identify one of the Contribution Categories (listed below) on your application.
• Workplace opportunity and access
• Community engagement and education
• Environmental progress
3. The applications are reviewed and the 3 top-scoring programs will be announced as the finalists.
4. The winning program will be announced live at the Prism Award Banquet held during Photonics West.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from any for-profit company that demonstrates a substantial positive impact on their workplace, society, or the environment based on a program with demonstrable outcomes in the prior year.
Application Fee
The SPIE Catalyst Award application fee is $300. Included in this cost is a ticket to the award reception and banquet ($250 value). The Catalyst Award finalists and winner receive more than $30,000 worth of promotion (print, web, social media, and onsite promotion at Photonics West).
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