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.
Applications Now Closed
Winner Announcement
We received a large number of high-quality applications from researchers around the world. The strength of the submissions made the selection process exceptionally competitive, and after review by an advisory committee of Illumina scientists and Medical Affairs representatives, three grant recipients were selected instead of one.
Congratulations to:
Alfonso Bellacosa, MD, PhD, Professor, Nuclear Dynamics and Cancer Program, Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Fox Chase Cancer Center (Philadelphia, USA)
Jacob Blum, MD/PhD Candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (Baltimore, USA)
Richard Tothill, PhD, Associate Professor, The Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine - a joint venture between The University of Melbourne and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Melbourne, Australia)
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.
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.