Advocating for Medical Imaging Research Funding in Washington, DC

The Coalition for Imaging & Bioengineering Research (CIBR), a division of the Academy for
Radiology & Biomedical Imaging Research, is comprised of academic research institutions,
imaging societies, industry and patient groups, collaborating to secure federal funding for medical
imaging research through education and advocacy. Our strength is in our diversity. By actively
engaging stakeholders from within the imaging research community we:

• Advocate to Congress for support of medical imaging research through sustainable funding levels at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and educating federal agencies about the value of medical imaging research. Radiology Departments received more than $500,850,376 in NIH funding in 2017, an increase of 17%. While research funding has decreased significantly over the past 20 years, radiology research funding is still increasing.
• Lead the initiative to “Build the Diagnostic Cockpit of the Future,” an opportunity to improve diagnostic accuracy and precision. This innovative advocacy effort has involved convening multiple government agencies, industry partners, and academic radiology leaders, along with experts from other subspecialties such as cardiology, pathology, neurology and genomics, to address pressing challenges and opportunities faced by the imaging research community. This work elevates the profile of medical imaging technologies, ensures that its value and impact are broadly recognized, facilitates collaborations, highlights our position as content experts, and provides the critical voice of the imaging community in the future of molecular diagnostics and precision medicine. View Academy White Paper
• Demonstrate hands-on, cutting-edge imaging technology on Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress and their staff. Our industry partners provide the technology for our Annual Medical Imaging Technology Showcase, enabling a congressional audience to learn about multiple technologies in one location. By allowing attendees to interact with industry, patients and researchers, CIBR illustrates the impact medical imaging technologies have on patient care and learn the value of funding this critical research.
• Afford opportunities for patients who have been positively impacted by imaging technology to connect with and illustrate their own stories to radiology researchers and industry. Patients play a lead role in all initiatives, ensuring we have an impactful experience to share.

Benefits for Our Industry Partners

• Participate in collaboration and networking opportunities with academic leaders, researchers, patient advocates and representatives from various government agencies. This allows for the exchange and discussion of healthcare trends and thoughts from an academic and industry perspective, providing an opportunity to better align mutual interests.
• Hold a seat at the table for important research/trends and discussions as a member of the Steering Committee.
  • This Committee meets twice a year, at our annual spring events in DC and during the RSNA
  • One industry member has a seat on the full Academy Board (currently GE)
• Attend and participate in:
  • Annual Medical Imaging Technology Research Showcase in the Senate (Spring)
  • Annual Research Roundtable discussion for academia and industry (Spring)
  • Congressional visits with early career investigators and patients (Spring)
  • Academy scientific symposiums and workshops
  • Academy/CIBR Steering Committee meeting (RSNA)
• Receive legislative updates on policies that could affect medical imaging research funding.
• Engage in our grassroots efforts to support increased federal funding for medical imaging research and have the opportunity to sign onto impactful letters such as this in the Wall Street Journal
• Contribute to the design, implementation of all symposium, workshops and research roundtable discussions.
• Enjoy multiple opportunities to engage in with our Council of Distinguished Investigators (CECI2) and the Council of Early Career Investigators (DI) to share, collaborate and learn about their research efforts.

The results of advocacy efforts are often not tangible. Though federal funding at the National Institutes of Health has suffered years of flat budgets and a decrease in purchasing power, CIBR will work to ensure we stay on a trajectory of $2 billion increases for the NIH, allowing for meaningful growth. In spite of these challenges, federal funding for academic radiology departments has continued to rise and is up over 17% over the previous year, benefitting both the academic community, but also the industry collaborative research. Ensuring that as a community we collectively work to raise awareness about the value and impact of imaging research, which is in the best interest of all stakeholders within the imaging research community.