Lighting the way: the 2025 Photonics Frontiers Award shortlist.

The article presents the shortlist for the 2025 Photonics Frontiers Award, which recognizes innovative photonics projects addressing real-world challenges across sectors such as environmental monitoring, healthcare, manufacturing, and communications. The shortlisted entries, evaluated by an independent panel from academia and industry, include advancements in imaging, biophotonics, laser technologies, optical communications, and spectroscopy. The award highlights applications demonstrating novel use of light-based technologies, tangible impact, and growth potential, with winners to be announced at the Laser World of Photonics exhibition in June 2025. The award is supported by key industry sponsors and aims to foster collaboration and innovation within the global photonics community.