Through engagement in an SPIE Student Chapter, students strengthen their leadership, communication, and networking skills for career advancement.
What is an SPIE Student Chapter?
SPIE Student Chapters* are groups based at educational institutions across the globe that play a critical role in fostering leaders in the fields of optics and photonics.
Collectively and individually, SPIE Student Chapter members play an instrumental role in moving the study of optics and photonics forward. Chapter members collaborate with colleagues, mentor younger students, connect with industry, and perform outreach in the community to pave the way for future advances in light-based technologies.
SPIE Student Chapter members have access to an ever-expanding network of scientists and engineers who can serve as resources, references, and collaborators. SPIE helps provide the structure and programs for chapters to ensure students lay the foundation for a successful career.
Ready to get started? Submit an SPIE Student Chapter Application by 1 May and find all the details below.
Apply to be an SPIE Student Chapter
*Referred to as clubs in China
What is the purpose of an SPIE Student Chapter?
The purpose of the SPIE Student Chapter is to connect students interested in optics and photonics to a global network of scientists and engineers and prepare them for successful and diverse careers in the fields. A Student Chapter provides its members with the opportunity:
At the discretion of the chapter student members, certain chapter activities and events shall be open for all students at the educational institution, especially when recruiting new members.
Through its organized efforts in study, research, discussion, and networking, the chapter shall promote the fields of optics and photonics, disseminate knowledge, and further the professional development of students.
How do I form an SPIE Student Chapter at my educational institution?
Educational institution requirements
The educational institution must have at least one of the following:
Membership requirements
Applicant requirements
Applicant(s) must be current SPIE Student Member(s) at the educational institution. Potential chapter advisors are not permitted to apply on behalf of students.
Disclaimer
Even if the above educational institution, Membership, and applicant requirements are met, the formation of an SPIE Student Chapter is not guaranteed. There may be reasons as to why an SPIE Student Chapter may not be approved. These reasons often include a lack of previous Member engagement with SPIE and/or a lack of research specific to furthering optics and photonics technologies or applications.
What are the application and approval processes for an SPIE Student Chapter?
SPIE Student Chapter Applications must be submitted each year by 1 May.
Once submitted, applications are reviewed by the Early Career and Students Subcommittee and the Membership and Communities Committee. If approved, successful candidates are recommended to the Board of Directors for certification. Student Chapter applicant(s) are notified of official approval after board certification in September of the same year.
Please contact students@spie.org with questions.
SPIE defines a student as someone engaged in studies, who has not yet attained their terminal degree. Post-docs are not eligible for Student Membership and discounts but are encouraged to join SPIE as Early Career Members.
SPIE accepts checks (in USD), money orders, purchase orders, and bankwire transfers.
Some chapters may prefer to conduct bulk Memberships instead of individual SPIE Membership renewals in order to pay for all Memberships at once using one payment method. This is an option for all chapters who wish to pay for 10 or more Memberships. In order to do this, please complete our bulk Membership renewal form. You may also include new Members on this form, so long as all fields are completed. Once completed, please send the form to students@spie.org. We will review the information and send an invoice for payment.
Yes, you can open a bank account to pay for SPIE Membership fees from one source, or manage funds.
US chapters looking to open a bank account must complete and submit IRS Form SS-4 directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to receive their EIN. On an annual basis, US chapters need to file the 990-N tax form. This form is very short, but if not filed for three consecutive years, the organization will automatically lose its tax-exempt status.
Individual chapter logos should be used to promote events that are run or sponsored by the chapter. Chapters can use their logo as they see fit to create their identity. If the chapter sponsors events that they did not organize and/or run, then the logo should only be used to identify the chapter as a sponsor. Sponsorship may involve monetary funding, donated supplies, or volunteering time.
It depends. The GIF logos provided by SPIE are small in size (180x50px) but have transparent backgrounds, making them ideal for websites with colored backgrounds. The provided JPG logo is larger (500x160px) but has a white background. For other sizes, we recommend scaling the three color (RGB) EPS file and then saving it as a JPG or GIF.
EPS files were created using Illustrator 11 (also known as Illustrator CS), while GIFs and JPGs were created with Photoshop 7.0.
Generally, chapters are asked not to use the SPIE corporate logo except to specifically identify the organization. Events organized by SPIE Student Chapters require enormous amounts of time and dedication. These new logos were designed to increase the visibility of our chapters while giving proper credit where it is due.