Illumina 5-base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest is sponsored by Illumina. This grant contest supports innovations that harness integrated genomic and epigenomic perspectives to advance cancer research. It aims to deepen the understanding of cancer mechanisms through the analysis of genetic and epigenetic variation.

Illumina 5-base Solution for Cancer Research Grant Contest | Call for innovations using genomic and epigenomic perspectives Genome and Methylome Sequencing High-Throughput Sequencing 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. 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 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 up to 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? Is the project achievable with 1000 next-generation sequencing (NGS) samples?

Does the applicant and supporting institution have a strong track record of cancer research? Are the experimental designs and methodologies valid? Will the scientific proposal lead to new knowledge?

The winner will receive Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep or Illumina 5-Base DNA Prep with Enrichment kits and core consumables to cover up to 1000 samples (Prize). The winner will be announced on July 29, 2026.

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 Within the project summary, applicants should include: A panel of Illumina scientists and executives will review submissions based on scientific merit, innovation, and alignment with Illumina values.

Read the complete eligibility terms and conditions Full terms and conditions for participants Publication of project results: All grant submissions are confidential to the individual submitter and will not be published or distributed, provided, however, Illumina may share them with their own staff and distributors, who will not disclose them to third parties. Illumina may support the grant advertising efforts.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges selected by Illumina. The panel may include representatives from Illumina.

Upon project completion, the grant winner agrees to participate in at least one of the following activities relating to the specific project, with specific details of the applicable activity to be mutually agreed upon in good faith by Illumina and the winner: webinar, press release, case study, blog post, poster presentation, and/or conference presentation.

The winner agrees that Illumina shall have the right to publicly announce the winner’s name and research title and use anonymized data from the winner's projects in application notes including in marketing materials and seminars—no public display of data will happen without prior consent from the winner.

Eligibility and requirements: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and actively enrolled or employed at a research institution in a capacity in which they perform life science research and can process samples within six (6) months of award notification.

Members of the immediate families of Illumina employees and directors, and/or persons living in the same household as such persons, are ineligible to participate in this grant program.

Residents of France or individuals who are employed by or affiliated with French persons (including businesses, research institutions, government and private organizations, individuals, and other types of legal persons) are ineligible to participate in this grant program.

Also ineligible are (1) residents of the Russian Federation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, or any country subject to U.S. embargo; (2) any persons (including businesses, research institutions, government and private organizations, individuals, and other types of legal persons) on the U.S. government’s Denied Persons List, Specially Designated Nationals list, Entity List, Unverified List, or any other similar list maintained by the U.S. government or any other government to whose laws Illumina, their subsidiaries or affiliated companies, the scientific challenge, or such person is subject, and all individuals employed thereby or otherwise associated therewith; and (3) any persons for whom it would be illegal to participate in or win the scientific challenge, or with or to whom it would be illegal for Illumina to interact or award the prize as contemplated herein.

This program is void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Applicant represents and warrants that applicant's participation in this research grant contest does not and will not violate any rules, regulations, or policies of applicant’s institution/company. Use of the Prize shall be governed by Illumina standard Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Applicants agree to obtain all authorizations and permissions from their institution/company that are required to participate in this research grant contest, and if selected, receive the Prize. Applicants acknowledge and agree that any submission made hereunder, and if selected, the receipt of Prize, is not being made in exchange for any promise of business to Illumina.

IN NO EVENT SHALL ILLUMINA, ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, OR AGENTS, BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER ARISING UNDER OR AS A RESULT OF ENTRANCE IN OR PARTICIPATION IN THE OFFER, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT ILLUMINA IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

THE FOREGOING LIMITATION OF LIABILITY SHALL APPLY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. ILLUMINA’S TOTAL AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE REAGENTS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE OFFER. By submitting a grant application, each applicant agrees that Illumina may use his or her name, abstract title, for marketing purposes.

Illumina or its affiliates may disclose the grant, including its terms, the identity of the winner, the nature of the relationship, the Prize (including it's monetary value), and any other transfers of value, in order to comply with applicable transparency laws and standards (e.g., Physician Payments Sunshine Act, Loi Bertrand, MedTech Europe, etc.).

All grant applicants agree that Illumina may process the personal data he or she provides as part of application, including sharing such data with Illumina’s partners, collaborators and other third parties who are obligated to keep the data confidential, and in accordance with Illumina’s privacy policies.

The grant award winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility, release of liability, a publicity release, and other appropriate legal documentation reasonably requested by Illumina. No substitution or transfer of the awarded prize is allowed except as permitted by Illumina. The award winner is responsible for any local tax liability (city, state, or federal) occurred by winning and accepting the award.

If, for any reason, the grant program may not run as planned for any causes beyond the reasonable control of Illumina, then Illumina reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the grant program.

These terms and conditions and any action related to this grant program will be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to or application of its conflict of law provisions or your state or country of residence.

All claims, legal proceedings or litigation arising in connection with these terms and conditions and this grant program will be brought solely in the federal or state courts located in San Diego County, California, and all applicants consent to the jurisdiction of and venue in such courts and waive any objection as to inconvenient forum.

By participating in this grant program, each applicant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these terms and conditions. Advance your professional research visibility 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. 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 .