The American Society of Radiologic Technologists said Thursday a $100,000 donation by Varian Medical Systems, a maker of radiation therapy equipment, will allow its education foundation to fund 19 scholarships for radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists who want to improve their skills.

The six-year agreement between the two organizations provides for the $5,000 per year professional scholarships. Eligible applicants include radiation therapists, dosimetrists and radiation therapy educators who are enrolled in certain schools. Other technologists looking to move into radiation therapy are also eligible to apply.

Previously, Varian and the ASRT Education and Research Foundation have provided about $750,000 in scholarships for radiation therapists, according to Phelosha Collaros, director of the foundation.

The Varian Radiation Therapy Scholarship is given in honor of Eileen McCullough, who created some of the earliest formal radiation therapist training programs in the United States. She died in 1989.

Applications for next year's scholarships will be made available Nov. 1. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2012. The ASRT said applications will be reviewed by a scholarship committee, with the recipients picked by the board of trustees. Winners will be chosen based on academic merit, financial need and leadership potential, ASRT said.

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