SPIE is an international society advancing an interdisciplinary approach to the science and application of light. SPIE was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies.

Serving more than 264,000 constituents from approximately 166 countries, the not-for-profit society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth.

SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

In 2016, SPIE provided $4 million in support of education and outreach programs.

SPIE publishes the SPIE Digital Library, containing more than 440,000 research papers from the Proceedings of SPIE and the Society's 10 scholarly journals with around 18,000 new papers added each year, and more than 240 eBooks from the SPIE Press catalog. The SPIE Press publishes print monographs, tutorial texts, Field Guides, and reference books. SPIE also publishes a wide variety of open access content.

Membership includes Fellows and Senior Member programs. The Society has named more than 1,000 SPIE members as Fellows since 1955, and implemented its Senior Member program in 2008.

The SPIE awards program serves to recognize outstanding contributions from individuals throughout the scientific community.

The SPIE international office is located in Bellingham, Washington and the SPIE Europe office is located in Cardiff, Wales.