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 University of Rochester, 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.