Our initiatives promote scientific progress in the field of light while bolstering the efforts of those contributing to its advancement. Candela Foundation was founded in February 2021 after a successful crowdfunding initiative.
The fundamental principles behind all our work are self-organization and participation in events of significant importance to the Polish scientific community.
The underlying principles that govern every decision we make and every action we take.
Our main idea of all that we do is to be actively involved in organizing and participating in important initiatives for the Polish scientific community.
We promote diversity, openness, and inclusivity in all our endeavors to ensure that our actions are inclusive to all.
Thanks to our flexible system, we can easily respond to the evolving needs of the optics and photonics sector.
Our group of young individuals has deep insight into the actual situation of Polish optics and photonics, and our priority is to support young researchers.
Our mission is accomplished through three different emphases.
We support the organization of events such as conferences, workshops, summer schools, training sessions, and webinars that bring the optics and photonics community together.
We fund foreign experts, enable student mobility, and endeavor to extend the frontiers of science to new audiences.
We offer national communication networks and a Polish language newsletter focused on optics and photonics..
Candela (symbol: cd) is the SI base unit of luminous intensity. It is a measure of the radiant intensity of a light source in a particular direction.
One candela can be defined as follows: it is the luminous intensity, in a given direction, of a light source that emits radiation at a frequency of 540 THz (terahertz) and has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt per steradian.
“Candela” is derived from Latin and means “candle.” The term was chosen to highlight our strong connection with the science of light—namely, optics and photonics.
In the same way that a candle lights up its surroundings, our aim is to light the way for the next generation of scientists and engineers that will be involved in light-related research in Poland. Our foundation acts as a beacon for cooperation and community in these important disciplines.
Every project presents an opportunity for teamwork, education, and development within the realm of optics and photonics in Poland.
December 2021 – present
The Polish optics and photonics newsletter that provides information on current events for the whole nation.
June 2025 – currently
Professional development activities for optometrists in the form of workshops and seminars on the latest advancements in this field.
18 January – 17 October 2026
Workshops based on optical resonators where students and researchers would collaborate in an interactive learning process.
2025
The first workshop series on optical resonators held successfully, with recipients of scholarships.
2025
A lecture series on ultrafast optics open to the public to make complex concepts understandable to young researchers and students.
2024
Open lectures exploring the physics of Bose-Einstein condensates, a fascinating state of matter at the intersection of optics and quantum physics.
Upcoming programs organized or co-organized by the Candela Foundation.
Warsaw, Poland
Organized by CandelaWarsaw, Poland
Organized by Candela18–22 October 2026 · Poland
Co-organized by CandelaKeep informed about our new projects and developments within our community.
We are currently accepting applications for the Optical Resonators Workshop, which will be held in 2026. Scholarships are available.
An economy-focused forum was held in Krynica, where our team represented the optics and photonics community.
There is a comprehensive dictionary between English and Polish language terms in optics and photonics.
We are delighted to announce the scholarship winners for the first edition of the “Resonators” workshop series.
Subscribe to the Polish newsletter on optics and photonics and keep yourself updated about everything that is happening in this sphere.