Each Student Chapter must submit an annual report through this SMapply portal by 1 December 2023 in order to maintain good standing status and thus be eligible for benefits. Student Chapters may also use this opportunity to request funding for 2024 activities. Applications must be submitted on or before 1 December to be eligible for the review cycle; late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Annual Report

This is your chance to share your 2023 Student Chapter activities and strategies with SPIE. SPIE may use your activities and strategies to promote best practices to all Student Chapters. Each Student Chapter will need to develop their annual report as a team. Student Chapters must submit an annual report by 1 December 2023 in order to maintain good standing status and thus be eligible for 2024 Student Chapter benefits. 

Receipts are required for all expenditures made using SPIE activity grant funding.

Student Chapter Activity Grant

Every year, each Student Chapter in good standing is eligible to apply for up to $1500 in funding to conduct chapter activities and invite visiting speakers via the Student Chapter Annual Report and Activity Grant Application, which is due on 1 December. Up to 25% of total award is allowed for food items.

Chapters must demonstrate a need for the amount requested in the application and be considered in good standing at the time of application to qualify for funding.

The final funding amounts will be decided based on the quality of the report, quality of the funding request and the impact of the proposed activities in promoting the optics and photonics field and outreach. SPIE reserves the right to award partial grants based on evaluation of application. Approved 2023 applications will be paid out in early 2024.

2023 Student Chapter Activity Grants requests should cover funding for all activities held during the 2024 calendar year.  Event funding requests outside of this application will not be accepted.

The requested amount may not exceed $1500 total.

• Student Chapter Management and Technical Education (up to $250) - Financial support for routine activities such as weekly seminars or hosting a Student Chapter Member recruitment event.
• Professional Development and Industry Connection (up to $500) - This funding is intended to be used for professional development activities such as hosting a workshop on effective resume writing and/or interviewing skills, host an industrial visits day or tour a local company. Please note that SPIE hosts webinars and podcasts in these areas as well that could be promoted to the members of the Student Chapters.  We encourage your chapter to take part in these events together.
• Visiting Speaker (up to $500) - This funding is intended to support virtual and/or in-person visiting speakers for your Student Chapter. It is to be used to support travel and/or honorarium for speaker(s) who can assist your Student Chapter members in their optics and photonics education and careers. It is not necessary to know the name(s) of the speaker(s) you wish to invite at the time of application. However, please be as detailed as possible in your request and plan to include details about any speaker(s) supported through this funding in your next Annual Report.  Student speakers are not eligible for this support.
• Outreach to undergraduate/baccalaureate students (up to $250) - For example, it could be used to purchase materials for classroom demonstrations and for minimal refreshments for an open lab day.