360 CARLA

360 CARLA (Horizon Europe grant agreement No 101135838) builds on the original CARLA project with the aim of helping university students, early-stage researchers and young professionals discover photonics as a dynamic field with concrete career opportunities. The project has expanded the CARLA approach into a broader programme of career-development activities around 4 key photonics application areas, including health and medical photonics, quantum technologies and communications, manufacturing and Industry 4.0, and the broad energy, environment and sustainability ecosystem.
Through this work, 360 CARLA has helped make photonics careers more visible, accessible and connected to real professional pathways across academia, research, industry and innovation ecosystems.

360 Carla is now close to its end (September 2026) and it is time to take balance of what we've done.

The KPI workbook of activities reported so far shows that, up to the latest consolidated update, 360 CARLA has implemented 53 activities and directly involved 2,119 participants. These activities include symposia, capsules, training and hands-on career experiences, supported by dissemination actions that reached more than 84,000 people. The programme has been very positively received: participants and speakers rated the activities on average 4.6 out of 5, and more than 81% of participants reported an increased interest in pursuing a career in photonics. The activities also contributed to greater understanding of opportunities and professional networks in the field, with more than 81% of participants reporting increased awareness of available pathways within the photonics verticals.

A particularly important result of 360 CARLA is its contribution to a broader and more diverse photonics community. The project engaged participants from different disciplinary backgrounds, with around 46% of new participants not being physicists, and supported women’s participation and career interest, with almost 660 women involved and nearly 79% of women participants reporting increased interest in photonics careers. The project also reinforced links with the professional ecosystem by involving almost 300 companies, organizations, initiatives and research centres. In addition, around 74% of participants stated that they felt more industry-ready after taking part, while around 69% reported increased interest in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Overall, 360 CARLA has strengthened awareness, preparedness and motivation among future photonics talent while creating a more connected and inclusive European photonics community.