On April, 2023, A major ultrafast laser technology company Light Conversion, together with the family of late academician Prof. Algis Petras Piskarskas (1942-2022), established a restricted endowment sub-fund in his name.

The capital of the sub-fund is jointly invested with the existing capital of the VU Foundation. In honor of late Prof. Piskarskas, the returns will be allocated for the named scholarships to the laser science talents of the VU Faculty of Physics:

• Scholarship for the Best Bachelor’s Thesis. A one-time scholarship of 2,000 EUR (before taxes) is awarded to a student of the VU Faculty of Physics who has defended the best bachelor’s thesis in the field of laser science. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage talented students of the VU Faculty of Physics to achieve better results in their bachelor’s studies, participate in scientific research in the field of laser science, and motivate them to continue their studies at the master’s level.

• Scholarship for the Best Master’s Thesis. A one-time scholarship of 3,000 EUR (before taxes) is awarded to a student of the VU Faculty of Physics who has defended the best master’s thesis in the field of laser science. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage talented students of the VU Faculty of Physics to achieve better results in their master’s studies, participate in scientific research, and pursue a career in the field of laser science.

• Postdoctoral Fellowship. A two-year fellowship ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 EUR (800–1,500 EUR/month, before taxes) is awarded to a talented researcher working or planning to work at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center and who has defended a doctoral dissertation in the field of laser physics. The purpose of this fellowship is to provide financial support to talented and promising researchers at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center or other scientists, encouraging them to begin or continue their academic work at the VU Faculty of Physics Laser Research Center after defending their doctoral dissertation.

2024 Scholarships and Fellowships Recipients:

• Dr. Balys Momgaudis (Postdoctoral Fellowship)
• Antanas Butkus (Scholarship for the Best Bachelor’s Thesis; awarded in 2025)

2025 Scholarships Recipients:

• Ūla Marija Lauciūtė (Scholarship for the Best Bachelor’s Thesis)
• Simona Armalytė (Scholarship for the Best Master’s Thesis)