Illumina 5-Base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest

Advancing cancer research through methylation profiling and high-accuracy DNA variant detection

Applications Now Closed

Thank you for your interest in the Illumina 5-Base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest. The application period is now closed as of June 26, 2026 (11:59 PM PT). We appreciate the strong response from the global research community and the many high-quality proposals submitted. 

cancer research scientist in lab

Winner Announcement

The winning proposal will be selected by a panel of experts. The award includes Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep or Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep with Enrichment kits and core consumables to process up to 1000 samples. 

The selected recipient will be notified directly via email and announced publicly through Illumina channels, including web, email, and social media. 

Looking Ahead

Illumina remains committed to supporting the global research community through funding initiatives that enable scientific discovery. Future grant opportunities will continue to build on the success of this program, helping researchers unlock new insights into cancer genomics and epigenomics.

Potential impact to human health

How could scientific knowledge, technical capability, and/or clinical practice be improved?

Feasibility

Is the project achievable with 1000 next-generation sequencing (NGS) samples?

Applicant quality

Does the applicant and supporting institution have a strong track record of cancer research?

Scientific merit

Are the experimental designs and methodologies valid?

Novelty

Will the scientific proposal lead to new knowledge?

About the Grant Contest

The Illumina 5-Base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest is designed to advance cancer research by enabling integrated genomic and epigenomic analysis. By leveraging the Illumina 5-base solution, researchers can simultaneously investigate genetic variation and DNA methylation, supporting deeper insights into cancer biology. 

Program Goals

• Accelerate discoveries in cancer epigenetics  
• Enable comprehensive analysis of genomic and epigenomic variation  
• Support innovative study designs to uncover novel biomarkers and disease mechanisms  
• Increase visibility of researchers and their work through Illumina channels 

Proposal Submissions

Applicants were invited to submit a 400-word abstract describing a proposed cancer research project using the Illumina 5-base solution. Proposals are being evaluated based on scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and potential impact on human health. 

The 2026 edition received applications between April 15 and June 26, 2026.