ACES–LAS–Carver–Illumina Research Pilot

Accelerating discovery. Strengthening grant competitiveness.

Overview

The Colleges of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) and Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences (ACES), in partnership with the Carver Biotechnology Center and Illumina, invite faculty and research specialists to participate in a new collaborative research pilot program.

This pilot provides time-limited access to advanced sequencing technologies to support the generation of preliminary data for upcoming external grant submissions.

Why this pilot?

Securing external funding often depends on the availability of strong preliminary data. This program is designed to:

• Accelerate competitive grant proposals
• Lower barriers to early-stage data generation
• Expand faculty access to Carver’s advanced genomics capabilities
• Strengthen cross-college and industry collaboration

Selected projects will receive:

• Free sequencing capacity (e.g., one lane on a 1.5B flow cell) and technical feasibility review

Not included: library preparation, personnel time, and other service costs

Is this a good fit?

This pilot is best suited for projects that:

• Generate new preliminary data (not ongoing work)
• Support a near-term external grant submission
• Have a clear experimental strategy and defined sample plan
• Can begin within the usage window

Example projects

• RNA-seq pilot supporting an NIH R21 submission
• Single-cell feasibility study for an R01 resubmission
• Cross-college project exploring a new biological system

If you are interested in learning more about the technology and sequencing capabilities of the Center, consider submitting an inquiry form directly to Carver Biotechnology Center, or contact Alvaro G. Hernandez, Ph.D. (aghernan@illinois.edu) and Chris Wright (clwright@illinois.edu) before submitting your proposal to the pilot program.

Eligibility

• Faculty with primary appointments in LAS or ACES
• Projects aligned with Carver platform capabilities
• Proposals tied to planned or upcoming grant submissions

Applicants should be prepared to:

• Cover non-supported costs (e.g., library prep, labor)
• Meet timeline and sample readiness expectations
• Acknowledge Carver in resulting publications

How the pilot works

1. Apply – Submit a short proposal outlining your project, technical needs, and grant plans.
2. Review – Applications undergo dual review:
   1. LAS & ACES: scholarly merit, strategic fit, grant trajectory
   2. Carver: technical feasibility, platform alignment
3. Award – Selected projects receive a time-limited award for sequencing access.
4. Execute – The usage period begins immediately upon award notification.
5. Follow-Up – Faculty report on grant submissions and outcomes.

Key dates

• Applications open: August 1, 2026
• Applications close: August 28, 2026 @ 4:00pm CT
• Award notifications: September 4, 2026
• Usage period: Begins at award notice (~60–90 days)

Before you apply

Please ensure you can answer “yes” to the following:

• I have a defined experimental plan
• I understand the technical requirements and costs
• I can initiate the project within the usage window

Important expectations

• Awards are time-limited and cannot be extended
• Projects must initiate promptly after award notice
• Unused awards expire at the end of the usage window
• Faculty must provide follow-up data on grant outcomes

Need help shaping your project?

Questions about fit, technical design, or the application process?

Contact: LAS Office of Research at las-research@illinois.edu 
Optional: Office hours or consultations available

Apply

Before applying, confirm:

• Your project goal includes near-term grant submission
• You understand the scope of support and cost responsibilities
• You can meet program timelines

Apply now