Students

Student Members are an important and active part of the OSA community. Student benefits are built around the unique needs of those preparing to enter the professional world of optics. As an OSA Student Member, you join a worldwide community of optics and photonics scientists, engineers and business leaders. Join us today.

Student members attend OSA conferences, exhibits and educational sessions at reduced registration rates. The OSA Annual Meeting, The Optical Fiber Communication Conference & Exposition and National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (OFC/NFOEC), the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO) and more than 20 topical meetings are among the many annual events hosted by OSA.

OSA Foundation Student Travel Grants

The OSA Foundation is pleased to offer travel grants to students working or studying in a qualifying developing nation who plan to attend an OSA sponsored topical meetings and/or Frontiers in Optics (OSA's Annual Meeting). Travel grants will average $1,000 US per award.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2009

All grant program applicants must:

1. Work or study in a qualifying developing nation
2. Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program
3. Demonstrate need for travel support and state the value of attending the conference
4. Agree that if they are selected as a grant recipient the OSA Foundation (OSAF) may use their name, photo and the information provided in their trip report to promote OSAF programs and solicit donations. This information may be used online, in print and email and in other OSAF communication vehicles.

Applications must include:

1. One document that includes:
1. Your full contact information
2. OSA Member number (if applicable)
3. Name of meeting you will be attending
4. An approximation of anticipated expenses for attending the meeting
5. 3 – 4 paragraphs stating how attending this meeting will benefit your studies and career
2. Proof of enrollment, such as a scanned copy of your student identification card or a letter with a seal or endorsement from your university – You must be working or studying in a qualifying developing nation
3. A letter from your advisor demonstrating need and stating the benefit to you for attending the meeting
4. A short resume or CV
5. A copy of the paper or description of the poster you will be presenting at the conference (if applicable).

It is not required that the applicant is a conference presenter, but we encourage interested students to submit a paper for oral or poster presentation. You are not required to be an OSA Student Member to apply for a grant, but preference is given to members. View more information on OSA Membership.

Please note: Applicants must apply for a visa, if required. OSA can send a letter of invitation for US meetings, but has no influence on the process.

The application packet should be submitted via email to foundationgrants@osa.org
The meeting chairs will review all qualified applications and applicants will be notified of the results via email.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2009