The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has announced creation of a new grant to encourage training of future nuclear medicine physicists. Funded by the Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the SNMMI’s Nuclear Medicine Physics Residency Training Grant will be awarded to a medical physics residency training program that is currently accredited or applying for accreditation. The program will then identify one resident per year to receive financial support.

“I encourage all program directors of accredited nuclear medicine physics training programs, as well as those in the process of applying and those preparing to apply for accreditation to submit an application for this grant,” said Frederic H. Fahey, chair of the SNMMI Grants and Awards Committee. “The grant will provide the means to attract nuclear medicine physicists to the program and will help build the credibility of the program as well.” Criteria for evaluating the programs will include commitment to nuclear medicine physics, staff resources, available facilities, and quality based on training rotations, program content, and training partners.

Currently only two organizations, the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and the American board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (ABSNM), provide certification for the field. “New rules and training requirements are being applied for those looking to become certified in nuclear medicine physics,” said Fahey. “Only a few residency training programs exist for nuclear medicine physicists, and it’s critical that there be more training opportunities so that these individuals can qualify to sit for board certification exams.”

Information about the application process and requirements is available at SNMMI.