SPIE Family Care Grants

SPIE believes that parents and care givers should have an equal opportunity in sharing their research and participating in conferences and symposia.  

SPIE Family Care Grants are designed to supplement caregiving costs incurred by SPIE Members who are registered to attend an annual meeting, either in-person or virtually. Grants cover caregiving expenses (at home or on site) for children under the age of 13 or dependent care if you are a care giver. The maximum grant amount for in-person meetings is $500 and the maximum grant amount for attending an SPIE Digital Forum is $250. 

We are working hard to ensure a safe and productive opportunity to meet together at events — view our health and safety measures. If you are planning to attend a meeting and need dependent care, consider applying for an SPIE Family Care Grant. Refer to the table below for individual event deadlines.

The application system for the 2021-2022 SPIE event cycle is open.

Application Guidelines:

• The deadline to apply for a grant is three weeks prior to the specific event start date. Refer to the table below for 2021-2022 deadlines.
• Families are eligible for one grant per Member per year.
• Eligible applications are approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Applicants receive notification of their status no later than one week prior to the event start date.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must have a current SPIE Membership through the month of the meeting.
• Applicant must be registered for the conference by the application deadline (excludes free exhibit-only registrations).
• Applicant must be the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 13 OR the main caregiver for a dependent family member who will need care in order for the applicant to attend the meeting.

Conditions of Grant:

• Funding is to be made via reimbursement after the conference. 
• Eligible expenses for reimbursement are limited to airfare of a caregiver or costs for hiring a caregiver at home or at the meeting for the duration of the event. 
• Abuse of the grant will result in future ineligibility. 

Reimbursement Policy:

• Expenses for reimbursement are to be submitted within 30 days of the conference.
• Proof of purchase is required for all cargiving expense claims (includes airfare itinerary and caregiving billing).

Application Deadlines for 2021-2022 Events: