Emerging Issues Grant

With the expansion of medical imaging technologies, radiologists are faced with an overwhelming amount of data that requires more sophisticated methods for analysis.

Advancements in AI show promise with improvements in imaging diagnostic accuracy; however, there remain significant gaps in the integration of multimodal data (e.g. combining radiology with histology, laboratory results, and/or clinic visit notes) to improve patient and disease outcomes.

This funding opportunity will support research that focuses on AI-driven screening algorithms to enhance early detection of life-altering disease, either on patient screening exams or as incidental findings on imaging performed for other reasons.

Research objectives & scope

Objectives

Specific objectives related to primary screening exams:

• Improve performance of primary or opportunistic radiology screening using AI-driven algorithms
• Develop AI-driven screening algorithms that improve patient-oriented outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, cost of care or quality of life
• Develop AI-driven screening algorithms that improve disease-oriented outcomes such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity or positive/negative predictive value

Specific objectives related to incidental findings:

• Develop AI-driven algorithms capable of detecting incidental findings
• Develop AI-driven algorithms capable of effectively triaging and reporting incidental findings, including relative risk assessment
• Develop AI-driven algorithms capable of distinguishing normal from abnormal organs (e.g. abnormal size or signal intensity, presence of focal lesion)
• Develop AI-driven algorithms that allow for closed loop communication of incidental findings and drive appropriate and timely imaging follow up when indicated

Please note: Given the broad scope of the objectives, it is understood that successful proposals may only address some or one of the listed objectives.

Scope

Research proposals should address one or more of the following areas:

Research should focus on early detection of life-altering diseases, specifically those where early treatment or lifestyle modification can prevent subsequent negative patient-oriented outcomes.

Selection criteria & eligibility

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed on the following selection criteria:

• Innovation
• Detailed description of patient data to be incorporated into the model as well as model validation and personal health information (PHI) privacy considerations
• A comprehensive understanding of potential positive and negative unintended consequences of their research, including impacts on health care costs and health disparities among marginalized patient communities
• Expected impact of the intervention on the investigators’ home institution patients and on the general public
• Knowledge of and experience within the specific topic
• Investigators with affiliation or demonstrated collaborative efforts with community partners
• Well-defined needs assessment that articulates current health care gaps to be addressed
• Metric-based outcomes analyses that demonstrate achievement of objectives
• Scalability/expandability, ability to be translated into clinical practice
• Content monitoring, update strategy and sustainability
• Timeline and milestones to completion (will be used to determine if subsequent funding is merited)

Eligibility

Applicants (principal investigator) of all levels are welcome to apply, including residents and private practice members.

Applicants must be RSNA members at the time of application and throughout the duration of the award. If the applicant is a non-dues paying member, one or more of the co-investigators must be a dues-paying member.

Other investigators may include:

• Co-PIs from the same or other institutions
• Individuals outside of radiology
• Community partners
• Other professionals as needed

Award period & budget

Award period

Grants of one year will be awarded. Funding for a subsequent year will be dependent upon successful completion of specific project milestones.

Budget

A complete description of the projected use of funds will assist the study section reviewers in determining the project's feasibility. The budget should be a complete and detailed listing of the costs associated with the proposed program, including part-time salary support, supplies and materials, etc.

Specify the following budget information:

• Total project budget (direct costs)
• Amount requested
• Explanation of how costs not covered by this grant will be paid (departmental funds, other grants, etc.)
• Complete budget justification

Please note: The R&E Foundation does not pay institutional overhead costs or indirect costs. Travel expenses for the RSNA annual meeting may not be paid by this grant.

Application process and requirements

All applicants must provide a summary of long-term project goals and a detailed research plan.

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