We are funding research on innovative uses of low-coverage genome sequencing.

Apply here

The key technology that powers Gencove is our low-coverage whole genome sequencing assay, which we use as a replacement for genotyping microarrays. We use low-coverage sequencing for genome-wide association studies and ancestry analyses because it provides increased statistical power at lower costs, and we have worked with scientists and entrepreneurs who use this technology across other scientific domains. We’ve also heard a number of great ideas for new, untested use cases.

To expand the utility of this technology to use cases outside of our own, we are pleased to announce a request for proposals: we will be funding a project in which we sequence up to 300 samples at low coverage (around 0.2x coverage of a human genome) for free (a $18,000 value). To apply, please follow this link. In order to apply, you must have either 300 samples ready to be sequenced or a clear plan for how to get them (if you are based in the United States, you can use our end-to-end sample collection logistics for free as well).

Proposals will be evaluated on the following two criteria:

1. Scientific fit to the technology. Low-coverage sequencing has a number of key scientific advantages over competing technologies. For example, it can be used to provide an unbiased profile of the genetic variation present in a population, to detect copy number variation in a sensitive manner, or to jointly profile a human genome and the corresponding microbiome. Proposals that would benefit from these advantages are encouraged.
2. Broader utility of the data and/or software produced. Ideally, the data that comes from this study will be made completely public, and any new software (if applicable) will be available under an open source license. We understand that the former may not always be completely feasible, but will evaluate proposals on how available data and software will be to the broader scientific community.

The deadline to submit proposals is January 16th, please follow this link and get started!