RSNA research foundation approves nearly $5M in new grants

August 19, 2026 - 01:50

The RSNA Research and Education Foundation has approved close to five million dollars in new grant funding for 2025, supporting 79 separate research projects and educational initiatives. This year's round of awards includes a notable first: a funded project based in Argentina, marking the foundation's expansion into new international territory.

The grants cover a wide range of radiology topics, from artificial intelligence applications in imaging to improving patient safety protocols. Several awards target early-career investigators, helping them establish independent research programs. Others support established researchers exploring high-risk, high-reward ideas that might not qualify for traditional federal funding.

Foundation leaders say the money comes entirely from donor contributions, including individual radiologists, corporate partners, and local radiology societies. The application review process involved more than 200 volunteer reviewers who scored proposals on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact on patient care.

Among the funded projects are studies on reducing radiation dose in pediatric CT scans, using machine learning to detect subtle fractures, and developing new contrast agents for MRI. One grant will fund a multi-center trial comparing imaging methods for liver tumors. Another supports a training program for radiologists in low-resource settings.

The Argentina project focuses on improving breast cancer screening access in rural communities. It will test a mobile mammography unit combined with telemedicine consultations, a model that could be adapted for other regions with limited radiology services.

Since its founding, the RSNA Research and Education Foundation has awarded more than 100 million dollars in grants. Officials say they expect to announce the next application cycle later this year, with a continued emphasis on global participation and innovative research.