FoNIBIB routinely convenes meetings between representatives from its member organizations and NIBIB leadership to discuss the latest advances in biomedical imaging and bioengineering research, upcoming research priority areas, and future initiatives.
August 2026 FoNIBIB/NIBIB Leadership Meeting
On August 21, 2026, representatives from FoNIBIB member societies met with National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) staff and leadership. The discussion examined how evolving NIH funding and peer-review policies affect NIBIB and its research community, with NIBIB encouraging investigators to consult Program Directors and respond to federal requests for information.
Participants also discussed NIBIB’s leadership in artificial intelligence initiatives, including PRIMED-AI and Bridge2AI, and its growing portfolio in new approach methodologies (NAMs). The meeting identified opportunities for FoNIBIB to strengthen communication between NIBIB and the bioengineering community, support interdisciplinary workforce development, and demonstrate the patient and community impact of NIBIB-funded research.
April 2026 FoNIBIB/NIBIB Leadership Meeting
On April 11, 2026, representatives from FoNIBIB member societies met with Drs. Bruce Tromberg and Dave Rampulla. The in-person meeting provided a forum to discuss NIH funding and workforce challenges, including the implementation of NIH’s Unified Funding Strategy, major artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, concerns regarding STEM trainee support, and the role of AI in grant review and proposal development. The meeting concluded with a conversation around NIBIB’s priorities to accelerate translation of biomedical imaging and bioengineering technologies, strengthen support for early-career investigators, and enhance collaboration with the research community through future engagement with congressional stakeholders and public outreach efforts.
2025 FoNIBIB/NIBIB Leadership Meeting
On July 18, 2025, our FoNIBIB coalition members met with NIBIB staff and leadership. This meeting provided a forum to discuss NIBIB funding opportunities, training grants, and strategic initiatives along with an overview of FoNIBIB objectives, planned activities, and avenues for future collaboration.
These discussions underscored NIBIB’s unique position in leading partnerships with other NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) given their role in improving population health, ensuring reliability and reproducibility of research, and fostering technological advances. FoNIBIB affirmed its dedication to advocating for NIBIB as a standalone IC in light of proposed NIH reorganization plans.
NIBIB emphasized the need for sustained information sharing between their staff and the bioengineering community, especially with the rapidly evolving policy landscape. The meeting concluded with an important conversation around NIBIB’s continued efforts to build a STEM workforce to reflect the communities it serves.
2024 NIBIB Leadership Meeting
On August 7, 2024, AIMBE President Lola Eniola-Adefeso, along with other AIMBE Board members and Fellows, met with NIBIB leadership. The meeting provided a platform to discuss current challenges, opportunities, and avenues for future collaboration between the two organizations. Key topics included funding initiatives, training grants, diversity and inclusion efforts, appropriations, and the proposed NIH reorganization framework.
The discussions underscored a mutual commitment to advancing biomedical engineering and ensuring that research in this field continues to drive innovation in healthcare. NIBIB leadership emphasized the Institute’s critical partnerships with other NIH Institutes and Centers, which enhance technology development across a broad spectrum of medical research.
The meeting also explored potential collaborative initiatives, with AIMBE offering to mobilize its Fellows – who are leading researchers across academia, industry, and government – to support NIBIB’s objectives. AIMBE reaffirmed its dedication to advocating for NIBIB’s independence and ensuring robust funding in light of the proposed changes.
The meeting concluded with a shared agreement on the importance of continued communication and collaboration to ensure that biomedical engineering remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.
