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Home / Membership / Student Services / Student Chapter Benefits

OSA Student Chapter Benefits

OSA Student Chapter participation is a great way to build technical and leadership skills while networking with peers and the greater OSA community. OSA and the OSA Foundation provide each chapter with a wide range of benefits and opportunities for professional development.

  • Start-Up Fund - Each new Student Chapter receives $500 USD in start-up funding.
    Click here for instructions and information on requesting your Start-Up Funds and other funding for your chapter.

  • Activity Grants - All chapters in good standing have the opportunity to apply for an Activity Grant of up to $1,000 USD to help support chapter 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.

  • Youth Science Education Outreach Grants - The OSA Foundation provides Education Outreach Grants to support the grassroots education efforts of OSA chapters. 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.

  • Leadership Conference - A representative from each chapter receives a travel grant to attend the annual Student Chapter Leadership Conference that is held in concert with OSA’s Annual Meeting, “Frontiers in Optics.” The Leadership Meeting and Frontiers in Optics activities include technical and professional development sessions along with many opportunities for networking.

  • Traveling Lecturer Program - Student chapters are eligible to request a visit from a traveling speaker annually.

  • Excellence Award - The Excellence Awards program was established to recognize the outstanding achievements of OSA’s Student Chapters and Local Sections for advocacy and outreach efforts in their local communities as well as academic and professional development programming for members. Presented annually at Frontiers in Optics (FiO), two Student Chapters and two Local Sections receive an Excellence Award certificate and a $1000 USD award.

  • E-Newsletter - Each chapter member receives Focal Point — a quarterly electronic newsletter written for and by OSA Local Section and Student Chapter members from around the world.