Thermo Fisher Scientific Stages Open Call for Grant Proposals Supporting Oncology Molecular Profiling

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that it is calling for researchers to send in new proposals for its Oncomine Clinical Research Grant, which helps fund research into molecular profiling in oncology spaces.

The announcement is part of the organization’s ongoing effort to support clinical oncology research and accelerate the use of genomic sequencing as a means to help providers diagnose, assess, and treat patients with various types of cancer.

“The Oncomine Clinical Research Grant program aims to fund research furthering our understanding of cancer at the genomic level. The identification of specific cancer biomarkers associated with response or resistance to treatment can inform clinical care and potentially help predict patient outcomes,” said José Luis Costa, PhD, director of medical affairs for clinical next generation sequencing and oncology at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Recipients of the grants will be awarded up to $200,000 in reagents and general funding for independent clinical research proposals that the reviewers deem to show excellence in cancer molecular profiling. The proposals, which can focus on leveraging next-generation sequencing for solid or hematological cancers, will be reviewed by independent and internationally recognized experts. The deadline for submission is April 7, 2022.

The program launched in 2020 and since its inception, 16 projects globally have been awarded grants in support of research in hematological cancers, immuno-oncology, liquid biopsy, and fusion gene detection. During the last round of funding, recipients included those who submitted proposals on next-generation sequencing technology in solid tumors and for hematology-oncology purposes.

“Next-generation sequencing is vital to match eligible patients with lung carcinomas with targeted therapies, but often this testing takes too long to inform their care….With the support from the Oncomine Clinical Research Grant, we hope to demonstrate that comprehensive genomic sequencing with very rapid turnaround times can increase patient access and advance the idea of universal testing of all patients with lung carcinomas, including those with early-stage disease,” said Fernando López-Ríos, PhD, a grant recipient at the Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre in Madrid, Spain.

According to the Thermo Fisher Scientific submission page, applications for grants must be submitted electronically in English using the specific Proposal Form. The proposals should outline any planned activities that can be performed within a maximum 12-month period and include a budget. The budget should detail every grant request and for what purpose the funds would specifically be used.