In 2000, the idea of creating a body that would work to improve European image-related research activities emerged within the former European Association of Radiology (EAR) which was later integrated into the European Society for Radiology (ESR).
In 2002, the EAR created a committee to supervise imaging research activities in Europe, and to offer advice on how to establish a body tasked with improving and coordinating biomedical imaging research in Europe.