Student Membership

Invest in your future
As a Student Member of SPIE, the combined knowledge of more than 19,000 optics and photonics professionals is at your fingertips for just $20 a year.

Find the people and the tools that can help you develop your work and refine your career.

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Questions? Contact Us:
MemberSupport@spie.org

Student Member Benefits and Dues

SPIE Student Membership is your gateway to the global optics and photonics community. Students who are engaged in full-time studies and have not yet attained their terminal degree are invited to join SPIE as Student Members. Post-docs are welcome to join as Early Career Professional Members.

Engage in lifelong learning.	Advance your career.	Build your network.
Instruction from experts in your field and discounts on online and in-person short courses	Monthly webinars with industry hiring managers	Access to leaders in industry, academia, and government
Reduced rates on event registrations	Opportunity to apply for Member-only education scholarships	Exclusive access to networking events
Opportunity to apply for financial support to attend SPIE conferences	Free and unlimited access to online and in-person professional development workshops	Opportunity to connect with others and gain valuable experience through SPIE Student Chapters
10 complimentary SPIE Digital Library downloads and discounts on additional downloads	Access to special mentoring programs and tools	SPIE Student Spotlight newsletter (monthly)
One complimentary journal subscription and discounts on other publications	Opportunity to apply for Family Care Grant funding to facilitate conference attendance	Opportunity to apply for grant funding for community-building events and activities
Access to the SPIE.Online webinar recording archive
Subscription to Photonics Focus (in print and online)
Special reduced fees for Journal Article Processing Charges

Membership Dues:

1-Year: $20

Pre-College Student Membership: No Charge

Get information on discounted dues for countries
eligible for Special Economic Consideration.

Pre-College Student Membership does not include journal subscription and you may not use the web interface to join. Please complete this Pre-College Membership Application and return it to SPIE via email or fax (+1 360 647 1445).

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Student Testimonials

Lipsa Nag
Member since 2016
PhD Student
Ecole Polytechnique, France

"I am finishing my PhD this year and will subsequently look for jobs in the industry. Through SPIE, I was exposed to events which have shaped me as a student, individual and leader. Among them was the Photonics West "Student Leadership Workshop" which helped me develop professionally and connect with students from all over the world. Participating in SPIE events also helped me become a better communicator and I no longer have a fear of networking! Thanks to SPIE, I will be a little less apprehensive and a little more prepared when I start my job search at the end of this year!"

Charles Maphanga
Member since 2015
PhD Candidate
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), National Laser Centre (NLC),South Africa

"The SPIE student membership has offered me an opportunity to meet other postgraduate students in the field of optics and photonics both national and international. I personally have used this opportunity to encourage other young people to join the field of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through science outreach activities at disadvantaged areas. There are various benefits offered to SPIE student members, including education scholarships and travel grants. I would encourage every young person in the field of optic and photonics to become an SPIE student member."

Liliana Villanueva
Member since 2013
PhD Student
Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica (INAOE), Mexico

"Being a member of SPIE has been an incredible experience and allowed me several opportunities. I was able to obtain a 2018 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship, which will help me grow my network and further my research at a foreign Institute. Through the Women in Optics Chapter Activity Grant, the INAOE Women in Optics Chapter was founded, giving me a platform to encourage other women to pursue a career in optics and photonics."

Uğur Teğin
Member since 2017
Master's Student
National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, Turkey

"SPIE membership enhanced my scope in optics and photonics thanks to its many benefits. With SPIE membership, I can access recent publications and apply for scholarships to attend conferences where the latest research is presented. Now I am planning my future with better accuracy."

Tatevik Chalyan
Member since 2013
PhD Student
University of Trento, Italy

"Being a part of a big group of individuals who have the same passion and interests is always an excellent way of self-realization in any field, but when it is combined with regular worldwide meetings with various professionals, it paves a certain path for the career development. SPIE works exactly based on this principle. Though grants are important, at the end of the day, it is our network that informs us about open positions or potential research collaborators around the world. SPIE helps me to build my network so that I am aware of the opportunities for career advancement that surround me."

Debasmita Banerjee
Member since 2014
Research Intern
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, India

"I signed up for SPIE student membership simply on my college professor's recommendation. 4 years running and I am still excited about each new opportunity the organization offers from professional network development to student-friendly paper publication. Being a Ph.D. aspirant, I would say this is one of the best decisions I have taken in my undergrad days. It has simplified numerous complex aspects relating to higher studies that made me comfortable about committing towards academia, research, relocation, cultural diversity and nurtured my overall growth. I would highly recommend anyone willing to join the global research environment to be a part of this truly international team."