R&E Foundation Research Seed Grant

The R&E Foundation Research Seed Grant gives investigators around the world the chance to define objectives and test hypotheses in preparation for larger grant applications at corporations, foundations and government agencies. Any area of research in the radiologic sciences is eligible for funding. This grant mechanism will be open to all levels of radiologic investigators, with an established academic appointment. Applications should describe the unique nature of the research effort independent of existing research efforts. Greater emphasis will be placed on the likelihood of this research to attract future funding given the nature and extent of the preliminary data collected within the cycle of the grant. Projects focused on advancing imaging science, developing or evaluating medical imaging technology, or making innovative use of imaging science to answer important biologic or clinical questions are encouraged. Any investigator from anywhere in the world with an academic appointment may apply for this grant, as long as they are an RSNA member. All applicants must hold a full-time faculty position in a radiology, radiation oncology, or nuclear medicine department at an educational institution. Those who are not currently a full-time faculty member, but will be by the time funding starts, a letter from the department chair must be included in their application. North American applicants must have completed advanced training and be certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or are on track for certification. International applicants must have completed advanced training and be certified by the radiology board in their country. Application cycle status: The 2026-27 application cycle for the Research Seed Grant is closed. The next application cycle will open in October 2026. Award amount: Grant recipients receive up to $60,000 for a one-year project to be used as support for the preliminary or pilot phase of that project. Funds may not be used to supplement previously-secured major funding. Beginning with the 2026 grant cycle, the R&E Foundation introduced a new priority focus areas funding initiative. 2026 approved priority areas include: Precision medicine: Theranostics; Imaging in vulnerable populations; Efficiencies in radiology and opportunities for improvement; Personalized care in pediatric imaging; Cybersecurity in radiology departments; Increasing access and efficiency: Doing more with less. Applicants who are not dues-paying RSNA members must have a scientific advisor or co-investigator who is a dues-paying member. Applicants cannot have been a principal investigator on a grant or contract totaling more than $60,000 in a single year, and cannot be employed by any for-profit, commercial company in the radiologic sciences. Please visit the award's website for more information about the grant and the materials that are required to be submitted.