Research into medical imaging instruments and signals for therapeutic, monitoring and diagnostic purposes. This research area includes instrumentation, image visualisation and image interpretation.
We will focus investments in medical imaging research and training on our highest priority areas, early career researchers and the highest quality research and training.
High priority areas
We have several high priority areas.
Earlier diagnosis
We will focus investments on research that enables earlier and more effective diagnosis of physical and mental health conditions, to inform treatment planning.
Therapeutic imaging
We will also focus investments on research into therapeutic imaging during treatment to increase effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.
Automated extraction and integration
Automated extraction or integration of existing and additional information from clinical data or images is a high priority research area. This includes, for example, extraction and integration via machine learning or mathematical science techniques.
Portable imaging technologies
Affordable, portable imaging technologies that are suited to point-of-care environments globally are also a high priority area. The research in these technologies should reduce the current focus on a centralised, whole-body or large-subsection imaging facilities model.
Imaging technologies include:
- magnetic resonance imaging
- X-ray computed tomography
- positron emission tomography.
Integrating imaging and sensing data
We will focus funding on research into the integration of imaging and sensing data such as that from wearable sensors. These should be at both the same and different length scales – from gene to cell to organ to whole body.
Novel imaging technologies
Another high priority research area is novel imaging technologies and modalities. They should address a demonstrable unmet clinical need or offer a significant benefit over current technologies. They should also have an identified place in the patient pathway.
Stakeholder engagement
We will focus funding on accelerating research impact in this research area through strong engagement with relevant stakeholders throughout research and training programmes.
Other technologies
Though this research area is clinically focused, there is also a unique role for other technologies to facilitate disruptive and transformative breakthroughs in medical imaging technologies.
They include:
- novel engineering
- information and communication technologies
- mathematical sciences
- physical sciences.
Research and training
Research and training in some of the rapidly expanding areas – such as underpinning data analytics, image analysis technologies, and methods such as deep learning and biomedical informatics – can be funded in other research areas.
Funding for surgical and interventional sciences can also be found in the Clinical Technologies research area.
Standard and other funding opportunities
In addition, peer review will consider investigator-led standard research grants and the highest quality applications will continue being funded using EPSRC’s standard funding opportunities.
Standard (sometimes known as ‘responsive’) funding opportunities are open to a wide range of research and approaches within EPSRC’s remit.