Members Urged to Apply for LaserFest Outreach Grants

Calling all physics performers! APS and the Optical Society of America are seeking grant proposals from their members for outreach events as part of LaserFest 2010. The two organizations plan to jointly award several grants of up to $10,000 each to sponsor activities aimed at reaching and informing the public about the science of lasers for LaserFest on the Road.

This sponsorship, available to either individuals or groups, is designed to establish outreach initiatives and travelling physics demonstrations in communities and institutions across the country. APS and OSA are especially looking to support groups with new and innovative approaches for these outreach activities, particularly if they could potentially be continued past the lifetime of the grant.

2010 is the 50th anniversary of Theodore Maiman’s construction of the first working laser. To coincide with this milestone, APS and OSA have partnered to sponsor the yearlong celebration LaserFest to highlight the importance of lasers and to illustrate how basic scientific research can impact the modern world.

The funding is available to groups with members in either APS or OSA, and all proposals must be submitted by September 30th 2009. Contact information and a complete proposal application can be found on the LaserFest website.