Application Process and Forms

CSIC Study Application Process

All research studies that utilize imaging services at Emory’s Center for Systems Imaging Core (CSIC) must adhere to Emory’s Office of Research Administration policies governing human and animal subject research and must have an approved IRB or IACUC protocol (as applicable for the study).

To initiate CSIC core services, the Principal Investigator (or study coordinator) must submit the following documents:

  • Completed CSI Study Application (see below) which provides summary information and SpeedType to be used for core service billing
  • Study Protocol, plus
    • MRI protocol or MRI site guide for MRI studies
    • PET Imaging Guide for PET studies
    • CT protocol for CT only studies
  • Approved IRB or IACUC letter (as applicable) with expiration date
  • Informed Consent Form (clean copy - for human studies only)
  • EHSO Human Use of Radiation Approval Form (for PET studies only)

Protocol profiles are not added to the CSIC scheduling system until the application form and all required documents are received and reviewed by applicable CSIC program director/technologists to confirm that CSIC can support the study protocol. 

As a service core, CSIC charges a fee for all core imaging services. Additional fees for radiopharmaceuticals produced by CSIC’s Radiopharmacy, or other add-on services used in support of protocol imaging services, are added to monthly invoices as applicable. See the CSIC rate table for current imaging core services rates.

CSIC Study Application Forms

For further information about CSIC imaging service processes (application, onboarding, appointment scheduling, and billing/invoicing), please see our service line imaging user guides.

CSIC Study Types

There are three categories of imaging studies performed at the Center for Systems Imaging:

  • Funded Study (FS) - grant/sponsor funded Emory Principal Investigator study that utilizes CSIC core service lines in support of imaging requirements of research protocol. As a core facility, all equipment use/services that CSIC provides must be billed to the Speedtype provided on the study application.
  • Pilot Study (PS) - use of core equipment/services by PI/researcher to gather data in support of grant application. Note: As of May 2025, CSIC's pilot study program will no longer provide non-billable core equipment/service use. All new Pilot Study applications submitted by a PI/researcher as of May 2025 to request use of CSI core equipment/services to gather data needed to support future grant submissions will be billed to the SpeedType provided on the study application (example: I3 synergy award, start-up fund, or department provided ST as applicable). As a core facility, all equipment use/services that CSIC provides must be billed to the PI/user. Pilot study applications will be reviewed by CSIC review committee (Director and Program Directors) to confirm that CSIC can support study imaging/other service requirements before onboarding the study.
  • Technical Development Study (TDS) - use of core equipment/services by PI/researcher to: 1) develop new imaging/service methodologies, or 2) test new hardware/software on core equipment that will be implemented in PI/researcher's future/current funded study, and could also expand/enhance CSIC core services. Note: As of May 2025, CSIC's technical development study program will no longer provide non-billable core equipment/service use. All new Technical Development Study applications submitted by a PI/researcher as of May 2025 to request use of CSI core equipment/services for development/testing purposes will be billed to the SpeedType provided on the study application (example: I3 synergy award, start-up fund, or department provided ST as applicable). As a core facility, all equipment use/services that CSIC provides must be billed to the PI/user. Technical development study applications will be reviewed by CSIC review committee (Director and Program Directors) to confirm that CSIC can support use of equipment/services as defined in study application.