Membership

The Industrial Associates (IA) program exists to cultivate relationships between optics academics and industry professionals. These productive relationships reduce recruitment costs for IA members, while also developing a channel of communication between optical researchers in academia and industry.

The IA program supports an exchange of ideas, resources, and talent between industry and the Â鶹´«Ã½, collectively meeting the mutual needs of industry, research, and academia.

See below for more information including membership benefits and levels. To become a member, contact the IA program manager, Dustin Newman, by email at dustin.newman@rochester.edu.

Membership Supports Optics Innovation

Revenue generated from IA plays a critical role in the overall operation of the Institute of Optics and is used to support activities that would otherwise not be funded including:

  • Cutting edge educational programs
  • New course development
  • Student research projects
  • Student conferences and IA networking events
  • The Institute of Optics Summer Short Course series

The program's membership fees are also used to:

  • Recruit top graduate students
  • Purchase specialized laboratory equipment
  • Support student projects
  • Run optics industry events and trainings
A group of three people chatting at a meeting.

How IA Helps You

Benefits

Member benefits include:

Membership Levels

In addition to our traditional membership levels, we are now offering honorary memberships for early-stage companies, trade memberships for professional societies, and grants in-kind membership for organizations that provide state-of-the art equipment for student training and research.

A portion of each membership level is tax deductible.

Associate Level (1-50 Employees)

  • Invitation for one delegate to attend our member-only, biannual IA Meetings
  • Access to student résumés 7-10 days prior to each biannual IA Meeting
  • Participation in the Company Connection Showcase during each biannual IA Meeting
  • One full day of scheduled student interviews during each biannual IA Meeting
  • One course week for the Summer Workshops for Professionals (non-transferable; valued between $1,200-$2,400)
  • A 20% discount on additional seats for the Summer Workshops for Professionals
  • Ability to post job and internship vacancies on the Institute of Optics website
  • Standard Patent | IP | Licensing Service
  • Personal lab tours upon request
  • Access to and relationships with faculty, staff, and students

Cost: $4,000
The tax-deductible portion of your membership payment is $2,410.

Standard Level (1-250 Employees)

  • Invitation for two delegates to attend our member-only, biannual IA Meetings
  • Early access to student résumés 7-10 days prior to each biannual IA Meeting
  • Participation in the Company Connection Showcase during each biannual IA Meeting
  • One full day of scheduled student interviews during each biannual IA Meeting
  • Two course weeks for the Summer Workshops for Professionals (valued between $1,200-$2,400); one of which may be transferred to an organization or individual outside the member’s company
  • A 20% discount on additional seats for the Summer Workshops for Professionals
  • Ability to post job and internship vacancies on the Institute of Optics website
  • Standard Patent | IP | Licensing Service
  • Personal lab tours upon request
  • Access to and relationships with faculty, staff, and students

Cost: $8,000
The tax-deductible portion of your membership payment is $4,820.

Select Level (250+ Employees)

  • Invitation for two delegates to attend our member-only, biannual IA Meetings
  • Priority access to student résumés 7-10 days prior to each biannual IA Meeting
  • Participation in the Company Connection Showcase during each biannual IA Meeting
  • Two full days of scheduled student interviews during each biannual IA Meeting
  • Priority access to student interview scheduling upon request prior to each biannual IA Meeting
  • Four course weeks for the Summer Workshops for Professionals (valued between $1,200-$2,400); two of which may be transferred to an organization or individual outside the member's company
  • A 20% discount on additional seats for the Summer Workshops for Professionals
  • Invitation to customize a “Corporate Day” (hosted on campus) once during your membership term
  • Expedited Patent | IP | Licensing Service
  • Ability to post job and internship vacancies on The Institute of Optics website
  • Personal lab tours upon request
  • Access to and relationship with faculty, staff, and students

Cost: $14,000
The tax-deductible portion of your membership payment is $10,580.

Strategic Level (250+ Employees)

  • One voting seat on the Institute of Optics Director’s Advisory Council (DAC)
  • Invitation for four delegates to attend our member-only, biannual IA Meetings
  • First-priority access to student résumés 7-10 days prior to each biannual IA Meeting
  • Participation in the Company Connection Showcase during each biannual IA Meeting
  • Two full days of scheduled student interviews during each biannual IA Meeting
  • Eight course weeks for the Summer Workshops for Professionals (valued between $1,200-$2,400); four of which may be transferred to an organization or individual outside the member’s company
  • A 20% discount on additional seats for the Summer Workshops for Professionals
  • Invitation to customize a ‘Corporate Day’ (hosted on campus) twice during your membership term
  • Concierge Patent | IP | Licensing Service
  • Ability to post job and internship vacancies on The Institute of Optics website
  • Personal lab tours upon request
  • Access to and relationship with faculty, staff, and students

Cost: $24,000
The tax-deductible portion of your membership payment is $16,930.