Unravel the mechanisms of cancer

Gain a deeper understanding of the genome and epigenome with the Illumina 5‑Base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest

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

Illumina is dedicated to empowering researchers with technologies that deepen our understanding of human disease. As cancer research increasingly depends on integrated genomic and epigenomic perspectives, this grant contest supports innovations that harness these insights to advance discovery and improve human health.

cancer research scientist in lab

Grant contest goals

The Illumina 5‑Base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest aims to accelerate breakthrough discoveries in cancer epigenetics by empowering researchers with access to the innovative Illumina 5‑base solution. This program supports studies that seek to deepen our understanding of cancer mechanisms through an integrated analysis of genetic and epigenetic variation.

Key goals of the contest include:

  • Advancing cancer epigenetics research by enabling more comprehensive analysis of DNA modifications
  • Supporting innovative study designs that use 5‑base chemistry to uncover novel biomarkers, mechanisms, or disease insights
  • Enhancing researcher visibility and collaboration opportunities by providing exposure through Illumina channels and supporting avenues for professional growth

The Illumina 5-base solution simultaneously interrogates genetic and epigenetic variation, providing a unified approach for characterizing cancer mechanisms. This contest invites eligible researchers to propose impactful cancer-focused studies using Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep or Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep with Enrichment kits.

Learn more about the Illumina 5-base solution

Contest overview

Eligible applicants are invited to submit a 400-word abstract for a new project using the Illumina 5-base solution. The award provides kits and core consumables sufficient for 1000 samples. Applications are due 11:59 PM PT on June 26, 2026.

One winner will be selected from all qualified applications by a panel of experts, who will choose the applications based on the following criteria:

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?

Award

The winner will receive Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep or Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep with Enrichment kits and core consumables to cover 1000 samples (Prize).

The winner will be announced on July 29, 2026.

Timeline

Application opens: April 15, 2026

Submission deadline: June 26, 2026

Winner announcement: July 29, 2026

Eligibility and requirements

Grant contest is open to basic scientists in genomics across academic, nonprofit, and for-profit institutions

  • Entries must be original, complete, and submitted in English
  • Winners agree to participate in one or more Illumina-sponsored or -approved activities, such as webinars, case studies, blog posts, posters, presentations, or other speaking or content-sharing opportunities
  • Grant contest submission adheres to a 400-word project summary plus optional figures and citations

Project summary

Within the project summary, applicants should include:

  • Scientific impact 
  • Social impact 
  • Collaborators 
  • Nations represented 
  • Technologies used 
  • Other sources of funding

Judging criteria

A panel of Illumina scientists and executives will review submissions based on scientific merit, innovation, and alignment with Illumina values.

Benefits of applying

Participating in the Illumina 5‑Base Solution Research Grant Contest offers meaningful advantages for researchers committed to advancing cancer discovery. Beyond the possibility of receiving the award, applicants gain opportunities that can elevate both their professional visibility and networking opportunities while also laying the foundation for other future funding opportunities.

Advance your professional research visibility

The winning project receives prominent visibility through featured coverage on the Illumina website and social media channels. This spotlight elevates the researcher’s profile, broadens the reach of their work, and helps increase awareness of impactful approaches to cancer research. Showcasing the project in these channels can open doors to new collaborations, attract interest from the wider scientific community, and strengthen the researcher’s professional standing.

Engage with the scientific community

The winner is invited to present research findings at an Illumina‑hosted webinar, symposium, interview, and/or other events and activities. This platform enables direct engagement with peers, technology experts, and leaders in genomics. Presenting in this setting can spark meaningful connections, support knowledge exchange, and help establish new partnerships that drive future scientific progress.

Build momentum for future funding opportunities

Crafting a strong application can contribute to institutional support and position your project for additional external funding. The process may uncover new collaborators, refine hypotheses, or reveal opportunities to expand the scope of your research.

Share your research vision toward advancing cancer discovery

Ready to submit your proposal? Use the application link to provide your 400‑word project summary, supporting materials, and required details. All submissions must be complete, original, and received by 11:59 PM PT on June 26, 2026.