BARRINGTON, NJ-Edmund Optics, a provider of optical components, announces the launch of its Norman Edmund Inspiration Award, created to honor the contributions made by Norman Edmund to advance the science of optics. The award will consist of an additional $5,000 in product donations to be presented to one of the three 2012 first-place prize recipients of the company's worldwide higher education grant program currently running in the Americas, Asia and Europe.

The Norman Edmund Inspiration Award will be given to the college or university optics program in science, technology, engineering or mathematics that best embodies the legacy of Edmund Optics' founder Norman Edmund. Edmund, creator and entrepreneurial spirit behind Edmund Scientific, which later evolved into Edmund Optics, is credited with inspiring many generations of young talent to become interested in science and engineering through his thought-provoking catalog of optics, science experiments, and learning tools. He is remembered by all for his generosity, curiosity and love of science.

The beneficiary of this additional product award will be chosen from the three previously-selected 2012 first prize recipients, from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The award recipient is determined by the Edmund Optics Board of Directors Committee lead by Joan Husted, daughter of Norman Edmund and EO Board Member.

The prize recipients of the 2012 Higher Education Grant Program and the 2012 European Research and Innovation Award will be announced on September 14, 2012. Product donations totaling $80,000 USD will be distributed to the award recipients in the three geographic locations. Applications are still being accepted until June 30, 2012. Please visit www.edmundoptics.com/grant for the Americas and Asia and

www.edmundoptics.com/research for Europe.

Edmund Optics will announce the winner of the Norman Edmund Inspiration Award of an additional $5,000 of products on October 10, 2012.