Integrated Photonics Bootcamp in collaboration with Smart Nano NI

Digital Catapult, in collaboration with the Smart Nano NI consortium, is pleased to host a Photonics Bootcamp at the UK Digital Twin Centre, in Belfast. This interactive, in-person training programme is designed to address the critical skills gap in integrated photonics across Northern Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.  

Over two days, participants will receive hands-on training in photonic chip design, testing, and applications—delivered by Light Trace Photonics and Smart Nano NI Consortium Partners. The bootcamp covers essential topics including photonic integrated circuits, insertion loss, polarisation, thermo-optic phase shifting, and validation processes.  

The programme aims to upskill local engineers, raise awareness of the potential of photonic technologies, and lay the groundwork for innovation across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agri-tech, and communications.   

Participants will also engage directly with the Smart Nano NI consortium—a strategic collaboration driving advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing in the region.  

Digital Catapult is delivering the bootcamp as part of the Smart Nano NI consortium and is partnering with Light Trace, who are experts in advanced photonic integrated circuit (PIC) component development. 

Smart Nano NI is a Northern Ireland consortium which aims to develop game-changing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing methods to deliver new technologies. The consortium shares a niche capability around nanomanufacturing and world-leading knowledge in photonics.  

The consortium has been awarded £42.4m by UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund. The total project value including leveraged funding from other sources is £63.9m. Our collaboration is aimed at driving self-sustaining local industry and economic growth through research and innovation. 

Established startups or SMEs that can clearly identify a need for upskilling in Industrial Photonics that can contribute to solving a challenge or challenges that they are willing to identify within their organisation.  

Applicants must: 

• Be a UK/ NI registered company 

• Be interested in exploring or adopting Photonics. 

• Be available for the full 2 day bootcamp  

• Be within State Aid allowances (maximum amount €300,000 for NI companies and £315,000 for UK companies). 

If your application is successful, you will be notified by email by August 19 2025. An onboarding pack will also be sent to you prior to the bootcamp commencing. 

Applications will be judged by a team of experts from Digital Catapult. Successful applicants will be informed on the result of their applications by August 19 2025. 

This bootcamp will be delivered in person in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  

Location: 

Digital Catapult,   

6th Floor, Lanyon Towers,   

Lanyon Place, Belfast,   

BT1 3LP   

Northern Ireland 

Please follow the link provided to complete the simple application form:  

https://digicat.org.uk/4lD9H4N

Yes. Your company must be registered on Companies House as a UK or Northern Ireland business.  

The selection criteria to assess and select application submissions are detailed below, and forms 70% of the overall evaluation. 

Application stage: There are 6 criteria upon which applicants will be assessed:  

•  Relevance of Background – 20% 
  • Applicants should demonstrate strong experience in photonics or related technologies.
• Motivation & Intent – 20%
  • Applicants should demonstrate a clear and compelling reason for attending and goals align with programme.
• Potential for Impact / Application – 20% 
  • Applicants should articulate a strong potential to apply knowledge gained in industry, research or business
• Industry Relevance – 15%
  • Applicants should provide details on how they directly align with their target sectors e.g. manufacturing, health, agri-tech, etc
• Commitment to Attend – 15%
  • Applicants must confirm they can attend and have full availability for both bootcamp days.
• Engagement with Ecosystem – 10%
  • Applicants must confirm their strong interest in collaborating with Smart Nano NI or similar networks. 

Following assessment of your application, a follow up interview will be conducted via MS Teams to explore your application in greater detail (where required).  

The interview forms 30% of the evaluation and will be conducted with a relevant Technologist aligned to your application alongside a member of the Innovation Practice team. 

During the application process we reserve the right to conduct enhanced financial or legal due diligence to ensure applicants will be able to meet all commitments. 

The application information will be used by Digital Catapult in compliance with GDPR regulations. It will only be used for the purposes of the programme and its evaluation, and will be securely retained by Digital Catapult only for the duration of the programme. 

The bootcamp has been made possible by the Smart Nano NI consortium, which has been awarded £42.4m UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund. The total project value including leveraged funding from other sources is £63.9m. 

No, there is no funding provided. Participation in the bootcamp is fully funded with no cost to participants. 

No, unfortunately the terms of our funding dictate that we are unable to support travel and subsistence for participants.  

Participants will develop higher level skills in photonics integrated circuits and will have the insight on how to use these technologies to solve challenges or address opportunities identified. This will include: 

• Introduction to photonic integrated circuits, including development and applications​  

• Hands on training with photonic chips, covering topics such as insertion loss, polarisation, thermo-optic phasing shifting and dynamic routing.​  

• Introduction to integrated photonic design​

Applicants will become Alumni of Digital Catapult and will be signposted to other relevant programmes and sources of useful information. 

You will also have the chance to be involved in communications and publicity around the bootcamp, resulting in increased exposure for your business.  

All the information you share with the Innovation Team will be confidential. Only share what you feel comfortable with.