SPIE is dedicated to supporting education and outreach activities in the fields of optics and photonics. The organization emphasizes the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all its endeavors, aiming to foster a more inclusive and diverse scientific community.
The SPIE Education Outreach Grants program is designed to fund projects that promote education in optics and photonics. These projects can be geared towards general education outreach or activities and events specifically for the International Day of Light (IDL). The program stresses the importance of proposals being grounded in the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with a maximum amount of $5,000, although some proposals may receive partial funding. Proposals are evaluated based on their potential to impact their target audience, raise awareness and interest in optics and photonics, and the clarity, structure, timeline, and budget of the project.