Local Section Benefits

OSA Local Section participation is a great way to get involved with local colleagues and the greater community! OSA provides each section with a variety of benefits, grants, information resources and networking opportunities.

Youth Science Education Outreach Grants - The OSA Foundation provides Education Outreach Grants to support the grassroots education efforts of OSA sections. Grant applications are due by October 31st for programs taking place between January and June; and by April 15th for programs taking place between July and December. Please visit the Activity & Education Outreach Grants page for complete details.

Presidential Speaker/Traveling Lecturer Program - Sections are eligible to request a visit from a presidential speaker or traveling lecturer of their choice annually. OSA provides the speaker with an honorarium and reimburses their travel expenses.

Activity Grants - All sections in good standing have the opportunity to apply for an Activity Grant of up to $1,000 USD to help support section activities and events.  Grant applications are due by October 31st for programs taking place between January and June; and by April 15th for programs taking place between July and December. Please visit the Activity & Education Outreach Grants page for complete details.

E-Newsletter - Each section officer receives Focal Point— a quarterly electronic newsletter written for and by OSA Local Section and Student Chapter members from around the world. Sections are encouraged to contribute articles by email: ChaptersandSections@osa.org.

Local Section Excellence Award - Presented annually during the OSA Annual Meeting, “Frontiers in Optics”, this award grants $1,000 USD to the two most outstanding local sections.

Optics & Photonics News  - Local sections receive complimentary issues of Optics & Photonics News (OPN), the field’s leading monthly magazine that keeps members up-to-date on technical innovations, industry news, OSA activities and much more.

Recruiting – In support of local section member recruiting efforts, OSA will provide sections with a list of members of OSA’s national organization that reside in your local area. To request a list, contact: ChaptersandSections@osa.org.

Web site Hosting - OSA will host section Web Sites free of charge. Contact us for more details.

For more information, contact us:
Email: ChaptersandSections@osa.org

Mail: OSA Member Services Department
C/O Chapters and Sections
2010 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1023
Phone: +1.202.416.1432 or 800.766.4672
Fax: 202.416.6130