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Opportunity

Smart Nano: Photonics Capability Programme

Open date: Tuesday 13 October 2026 Close date: Sunday 15 November 2026

Applications close

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Overview

The Smart Nano: Photonics Capability Programme is a fully funded, four-month capability and ecosystem-building programme for organisations with active plans, initiatives or product opportunities involving integrated photonics-enabled technologies, products or solutions.

Building on the success of Digital Catapult’s previous Integrated and Industrial Photonics Bootcamps, the programme goes beyond introductory training to help organisations put learning into practice. Participants will combine expert-led technical training with practical design and simulation assignments, tailored one-to-one guidance and access to specialist expertise and networks across the Northern Ireland photonics ecosystem.

The programme is designed to help organisations strengthen their technical capability while progressing company-relevant ideas, workflows and technology roadmaps.

Selected companies will take part in a four-month programme designed to support the development of practical integrated photonics capabilities, while exploring how technologies, approaches and opportunities could support product development, R&D and commercialisation opportunities.

Programme Benefits

Fully funded access to specialist photonics support

Take part in a fully funded programme designed to remove cost barriers for selected companies. Participants will gain access to integrated photonics training, photonic integrated circuit design and simulation methodologies, tool licences and specialist support.

Apply design and simulation to real company opportunities

Move beyond introductory tool training by applying design and simulation workflows to company-relevant photonics opportunities. Practical assignments will be shaped around participant needs, helping organisations explore how photonics could support product development, R&D or commercialisation plans.

Build deeper technical capability

Develop practical familiarity with component-level and circuit-level design workflows using industry-standard simulation approaches. Depending on participant requirements, the programme may also explore more advanced topics including scripting, automation, circuit design and simulation.

Receive tailored one-to-one guidance

Benefit from structured support from Digital Catapult and expert delivery partners, including business and capability health scans, design strategy sessions, mentoring and expert office hours. This support will help participants identify capability gaps, technical next steps and consider areas including validation, performance and scale-up.

Connect with the Northern Ireland photonics ecosystem

Engage with researchers, manufacturers, technology specialists and potential future collaborators across the Northern Ireland photonics ecosystem. Participants will also have opportunities to take part in showcase and networking activity, supporting future partnerships and commercialisation opportunities.

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Who should apply?

This programme is open to UK-registered companies with active plans, initiatives or product development opportunities involving photonics-enabled technologies, products or solutions.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how participation will support future R&D, product development, commercialisation or technology adoption goals. Familiarity with photonics, optics or electronics and the related simulation and design approaches will be beneficial.

We welcome applications from:

Startups, scaleups and SMEs developing photonics-enabled technologies

Companies building photonic components, sensing solutions, integrated photonic products or PIC-based technologies that want to strengthen their design, simulation and validation capability.

Semiconductor, electronics and integrated circuit developers exploring PICs

Organisations with relevant technical experience looking to develop PIC architectures, establish design principles or explore emerging photonic manufacturing routes.

Product development and R&D teams applying photonics to future solutions

Teams seeking to use integrated photonics in areas including; sensing, imaging, communications, computing, quantum-enabled systems or other advanced technology applications.

Companies working across photonics-enabled and adjacent technology sectors

This could include SMEs working across sensing and IoT, autonomous systems, quantum, AI hardware, semiconductors and optical communications.

Applicants must be available for the full programme and meet relevant State Aid requirements.

Not sure if this programme is right for your organisation?

Email [email protected] to arrange a 15-minute call with the team and discuss whether the programme is suitable for your organisation.

Key dates

Sunday 15 November

Applications close

Friday 27 November

Public announcement of successful applicants

Tuesday 1 December

Online onboarding event Business Health Scans begin

Tuesday 8th December

Keynote Technical Talks

Programme Journey

What to expect if you’re selected

Successful applicants will take part in a structured programme of activities from December 2026 to March 2027, progressing from initial onboarding through practical design and simulation exercises, before concluding with readiness planning and a final showcase.

Your programme journey

January | Design strategy and component simulation

Participants will have access to bookable design strategy sessions and partner consultations, followed by component simulation and design exercises supported by dedicated workshops.

February | Circuit simulation and design

Participants will progress to circuit simulation and design, with practical exercises and specialist workshops to support their learning.

March | Readiness planning and showcase

The programme will conclude with wrap-up activities and readiness planning, followed by a Showcase and Ecosystem event bringing together participants and the wider photonics community.