SPIE Family Care Grants

SPIE believes that individuals with significant caregiving responsibilities should have an equal opportunity to share their research and participate in conferences and symposia.  

SPIE Family Care Grants are designed to supplement caregiving costs incurred by SPIE Members who are registered to attend an SPIE meeting, either in-person or virtually. The maximum grant amount for in-person meetings is $500, and the maximum grant amount for attending an SPIE Digital Forum is $250; grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

 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 2022-2023 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 2022-2023 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 the caregiver of a dependent 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 with receipts 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 2022-2023 Events: