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Students
Enhance your university experience with programs and opportunities.
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Become a student member
Student members can access benefits to advance their careers
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Participate with student chapters
Discover a global network of leaders with access to unique opportunities
Get Involved
Scholarships & Student Prizes
Optica Women Scholars
Empowering the next generation of women leaders in optics and photonics with US$10,000 scholarships.
Amplify Scholarship
Investing in future Black scientists with a US$7,500 scholarship and access to our global network.
Stoicheff Memorial Scholarship
Demonstrate research excellence and service to the community.
Corning Women in Optical Communications Scholarship
Recognizing women scientists for excellence in optical communications research.
Corning Outstanding Paper Competition
Recognizing student innovation and research excellence at OFC.
Wolf Outstanding Paper Competition
Recognizing student excellence at Frontiers In Optics (FIO).
Bonenfant International Travel Scholarship
Expand your cultural perspectives and study abroad.
Pollicove Memorial Scholarship
Be recognized for potential in precision optics manufacturing and lens design.
Photonics Workforce Scholarship
Crafting opportunities for technicians.
Travel Grants
Corning Women in Optical Communications Travel Grant
For women scientists attending OFC, the premier event in telecom and data center optics.
FiO + LS Incubic Milton Chang Travel Grant
Present research at FiO+LS.
CLEO Incubic Milton Chang Travel Grant
Present research at CLEO.
Bennett Memorial Student Travel Grant
Present research at FiO+LS.
Hilbert Memorial Student Travel Grant
Present research at FiO+LS or the Optical Design and Fabrication Congress.
Schools and Training Programs
Amplify Optics Immersion
The Amplify Optics Immersion Program is designed to highlight the research, technology and careers in optics and photonics for Black undergraduate and master's students. Co-located with Optica's annual meeting Frontiers in Optics (FiO) and Student Leadership, participating students will attend a dedicated program and participate in FiO technical and professional development sessions and student activities.
Career Accelerator on Optics & Photonics
Attend a Career Accelerator to learn more about the culture, language and methodology of the business. This four-day program features renowned corporate executives and thought leaders offering insights on career paths and the professional and personal skills you need to succeed. You’ll connect with experts from optics and photonics companies and an international cohort of peers.
IONS+
IONS events take place they day before select Optica events and give students the opportunity to connect with both the event's leadership and volunteers as well as new colleagues and peers worldwide. Content ranges from scientific to professional development depending on the meeting.
Innovation School
Learn how you can take a great idea and turn it into product or solution… and how to take an idea that isn’t market viable and pivot to a better offering. At the Innovation School, you’ll leverage the lean-canvas model tool to guide your team as you race towards a pitch at the end of the four-day program. You’ll leave this event with a new perspective and skills for being an entrepreneur/intrapreneur. Get ready to be challenged, inspired, and gain an new network and connections with fellow leaders and innovators in our industry.
Siegman School on Lasers
At the Siegman International School on Lasers, created in honor of laser pioneer Anthony Siegman, you will experience a broad overview of laser science and technology like no other. You will have the opportunity to connect with optics and photonics luminaries and 100 international peers.
Opportunities to Connect
Student Membership
Student memberships are discounted and provide you with a ton of benefits.
Join with the student rate
Student Chapters
Diverse groups of students at universities worldwide creating professional development and community service opportunities.
Find, manage or start a chapter
Mentor Match
Pair up with a mentor who can guide your on a path toward success.
Meet a mentor
