Student Information

Emil Wolf Outstanding Student Paper Competition
Student Travel Grants
Jean Bennett Memorial Student Travel Grant
Incubic/Milton Chang Travel Grant
Student Activities

Emil Wolf Outstanding Student Paper Competition

The Emil Wolf Outstanding Student Paper Competition recognizes the innovation and research excellence of students presenting their work during Frontiers in Optics (FiO) and honors Emil Wolf for his many contributions to science and the Optical Society. This program is administered by the OSA Foundation.

Finalists are selected based on scores received during the standard FiO Technical Program Committee review. Status notification will be sent via email following the Committee’s decision. A separate notification regarding paper acceptance will also be sent.

Finalists are judged based on their work’s technical advances and value to the technical community of interest, and their skill of public presentation. The Emil Wolf Outstanding Student Paper Competition Review Committee will select one winner per submission category. Each winner will receive a complimentary OSA student membership, an award stipend of $300 USD and an award certificate. Results are announced after the conference.

Criteria for Eligibility

  • The submitting author must be an undergraduate or graduate student of an educational institution of collegiate grade who is devoting more than half-time to studies within the institution, at the time the paper was written.
  • The student must be listed as the presenting author of the paper, and if accepted must present the paper at the conference.
  • The submitting author must opt-in to the competition during the regular submission process and follow all the instructions provided on the submission site.
  • The paper must be submitted and accepted during the regular “call for papers” process. (Note: postdeadline papers are not part of this competition.)

Review/Selection Process

All papers submitted to the competition will be reviewed during the standard Technical Program Committee (TPC) review process.

  • Each subcommittee will select 2–3 finalists.
  • The Emil Wolf Outstanding Student Paper Competition Review Committee will attend the presentations of finalists in each subcommittee and select one winner per subcommittee.
  • Announcement of the winners will be posted on the FiO website and in a press release following the conference.

OSA Foundation Student Travel Grants

The OSA Foundation is pleased to offer travel grants to students working or studying in a qualifying developing nation who plan to attend Frontiers in Optics 2010. Travel grants will average $1,000 US per award.

Application Deadline: August 1, 2010

All grant program applicants must:

  1. Work or study in a qualifying developing nation.
  2. Be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program
  3. Demonstrate need for travel support and state the value of attending the conference
  4. Agree that if they are selected as a grant recipient the OSA Foundation (OSAF) may use their name, photo and the information provided in their trip report to promote OSAF programs and solicit donations. This information may be used online, in print and email, and in other OSAF communication vehicles.

Click here to apply for an OSA Foundation Travel Grant

It is not required that the applicant is a conference presenter, but we encourage interested students to submit a paper for oral or poster presentation. Please visit the Submissions page for additional information and to submit your paper. You are not required to be an OSA Student Member to apply for a grant, but preference is given to members. View more information on OSA Membership.

Important: Travel grant applications are separate from the submissions process. Including your paper title and abstract on your travel grant application does not constitute a submission to Frontiers in Optics 2010. Receiving a travel grant does not indicate that your paper was submitted or accepted. Please visit the Submissions page for additional information and to submit your paper.

Please note: Applicants must apply for a visa, if required. OSA can send a letter of invitation for US meetings, but has no influence on the process. To request a letter of invitation please visit the invitation letters page and follow the instructions. Requests may be made online, via fax, or mail.

If you have any questions please contact us at foundationgrants@osa.org.

The meeting chairs will review all qualified applications and applicants will be notified of the results via email.

Jean Bennett Memorial Student Travel Grant

Applications for the program are due by August 4, 2010.

This program was established in memory of Jean M. Bennett, a highly decorated research physicist who was recognized for her contributions to the studies of optical surfaces and served as OSA’s first female president. One grant of $1,000 USD will be awarded to a student presenting their work at FiO in recognition of their research excellence. This program is administered by the OSA Foundation.

Criteria for Eligibility

  • Applicant must be the presenter of a paper accepted at FiO
  • Applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student of an educational institution of collegiate grade who is devoting more than half-time to studies within the institution, at the time the paper was written.

Application Requirements

  1. Copy of the paper abstracted submitted to FiO
  2. Letter of support from your advisor or professor
  3. Statement explaining the value of attending FiO
  4. Your resume/CV

Applications for the program are due by August 4, 2010. Please email all the required documents to foundationgrants@osa.org

Incubic/Milton Chang Travel Grant

Application Deadline: August 1, 2010

Funded by an endowment from Milton and Rosalind Chang, this program provides 10 travel grants of $500 US each to students presenting papers at Frontiers in Optics/OSA Annual Meeting. Travel grants are awarded to the presenter and usually the first author of the paper.

All of the following information MUST be included in the grant application:

  • A letter of support from the student
  • A letter of support from the student's advisor
  • An estimated budget for the trip
  • A copy of the paper abstract

Students should also include home mailing address and email address. US students should include their social security number, which is required to process the check. Both letters of support should describe the importance of the student's work and must clearly demonstrate the need for the grant. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Questions? Email IncubicMiltonChangTravelGrant@osa.org.