Application process FAQs

Research grants are specific to your level of training. Generally, the name of the grant directly references who is eligible to apply (i.e. the Medical Student Research Grant is for medical students only). The Research Seed and Research Scholar grants are for full-time faculty.

Most education grants are for any RSNA member. For the RSNA/AUR/APDR/SCARD Radiology Education Research Development Grant, you must hold a position in a radiology department.

If you’re unsure you qualify for a grant, contact Brittni Cartalino, Coordinator, Grant Administration, at bcartalino@rsna.org or call 1-630-590-7789, before beginning the application process.

It all depends on the amount of time you have available and how long you’ve held a faculty position at an educational institution.

The Research Scholar Grant requires more time and more experience. You have to hold a full-time faculty position at the time of application, and be within five years of your initial hire date. Plus, you have to devote 40% effort to your project.

The Research Seed Grant is more flexible. It doesn’t require you to hold a faculty position at the time of application, as long as you have one by the time funding starts. Plus, there’s no minimum effort requirement.

Yes, you must be an RSNA member at the time of application. If you’re a non dues-paying member (such as a medical student or member-in-training), your scientific advisor or co-investigator must be a dues-paying member.

If you’re currently not a member, or your membership has expired, feel free to contact our membership department at membership@rsna.org.

No, you can only submit one research or education grant application per year.

No, you can reapply for any grant using a non-funded project as many times as you wish, as long as you remain eligible for that particular grant.

Most of our grants don’t limit this. However, the Research Scholar Grant limits the applications from departments hosting current recipients. Applications are accepted from those departments, but only one new nomination may be submitted per department per year.

It depends on the grant. Specifically, the Research Scholar Grant requires a minimum of 40% effort over two years; the Fellow Research Grant requires 50% effort over one year; the Resident Research Grant requires 50% effort over one year or 100% effort over six months; and lastly, the Medical Student Research Grant requires 100% effort for 10 weeks.

Yes, it is. RSNA provides $3,000 in funding to be matched by the institution where the research will be conducted. This helps ensure the institution’s commitment to the project and will provide everything necessary to make it a success.

No, we encourage applicants to apply for funding in any area of research in the radiologic sciences. All applications are reviewed on their own merit. Preferential funding isn’t given to specific areas or topics.

However, as the medical community embraces new technology, we do tend to see an increase in the number of projects researching the application of technology in radiology. For example, in recent years we've seen more 3D printing and artificial intelligence/machine learning grant applications, as you can see below: 

 

Topic	2015	2016	2017
3D printing	3	2	3
Artificial intelligence/machine learning	1	3	9

All grant applications are completed online using a series of text boxes, drop-down lists and user uploads. As you finish each section of the application it will be marked as “complete” in the table of contents, so you can easily track your progress. To view your full application for a final check before submitting, click the “Preview Application PDF” at the top of the table of contents page.

For the most part, you can. It’s not uncommon for grant recipients to receive multiple years of funding for the same or different grant programs.

You can technically receive all of the research grants over time (Medical Student, Resident/Fellow, Seed and Scholar). However, once you receive the Research Scholar Grant — whether it’s your first R&E Foundation grant, or not — you are no longer eligible for any RSNA research grant and will need to find funding through the NIH.

There is no limit on the number of education grants you can receive.

Yes, there are. Many sections have word and/or page limits, which are stated in the instructions for that section of that particular grant.

The detailed research/education plan is limited to two pages for the Medical Student Research Grant application and five pages for all other grants. Keep in mind, page limits include images, tables and other graphics, though additional pages may be used for references.

Try to avoid appendices unless absolutely necessary — they’re more common in education grant applications than research grants. Whenever you do use an appendix, do not use it to extend your detailed plan.

It is important you don’t exceed the stated page and/or word limits. Study section reviewers may refuse to review applications that violate these restrictions.

Yes, signatures are always required on grant applications. Just enter the names and contact information for your institution’s grant administrator, department chair and scientific advisor (if applicable). Then, download the signature page, obtain signatures and scan and upload everything back into the application. The uploaded document will automatically be incorporated into the finished application PDF.

No, simply complete your grant application online.

We do not accept letters of support or recommendation with grant applications. However, if equipment or supplies for the proposed study will be provided by a source other than your department (such as a commercial company), please include a letter of intent or agreement from that source.

Similarly, if the study involves significant collaboration with individuals other than your scientific advisor, you’ll need to include appropriate letters of agreement.

For education grant applications, you’ll need to provide a letter from the department chair if the project will involve a significant amount of your time or departmental resources, including other personnel.

All letters must conform to the guidelines stated in the application, or they will be removed.

All links to the online grant application site will be deactivated the morning after the grant deadline.

Yes, you can make changes up until the application deadline. But, you must click "Update” on the sections you edit for your changes to be saved.

Yes, you will. Once you submit your application an online confirmation will appear onscreen letting you know your application has been received.

You’ll also receive an email from RSNA after the grant application deadline has passed, indicating your application status. It is at this point where we’ll ask for clarification if there are any questions regarding your grant eligibility or missing information.

Please be patient while waiting to hear about your grant. Application season is a busy time of year, and it may take one to two weeks for you to receive your confirmation email.

Yes, both funded and non-funded grant applications will receive a copy of the reviewers’ comments. We encourage you to use these comments as a teaching tool to improve your project approach and grant writing skills. 

We’ll notify you of the outcome of your application via email by June 5.

The R&E Foundation’s board of trustees strive to maintain a minimum funding rate of 25%.

All funding begins on July 1. 

A progress report is required halfway through the project, along with a final report after the project is completed; however, some grants require more frequent reporting. Due dates vary by grant type. Financial reports are never required.

This happens all the time thanks to unexpected delays in obtaining IRB or IACUC approval, patient recruitment and other extenuating circumstances. You can easily request a no-cost extension to the terms of your grant.

Grants can be transferred from one institution to another, or from one investigator to another. All transfer requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Only Research Scholar Grant recipients are required to attend the annual meeting while receiving funding. All other grant recipients are encouraged to attend, but it is not required.

Brittni Cartalino
Coordinator, Grant Administration 
bcartalino@rsna.org
1-630-590-7789