Now open · JRP 1.0
Generate
Research questions are turned into genomic data and meaningful insight, supported by in-kind funding, scientific guidance, and analysis and interpretation.
Prima Nexus Joint Research Program · JRP 1.0
Turning Malaysian data into Malaysian discoveries.
The Prima Nexus Joint Research Program (Prima Nexus JRP) 1.0 is an initiative through which Malaysian researchers are supported by Prima Nexus as an industrial collaborator, building locally relevant genomic knowledge and stronger research outcomes.
Ongoing and future studies are supported with in-kind funding for genomic services, technical guidance, and help from study design through genomic analysis and interpretation. Every project is built around its research question, with a focus on healthcare and population genomics.
WhoMalaysian researchers in healthcare and population genomics, any species, for ongoing or future projects
Applications12 October to 30 December 2026
In-kind fundingGenomic services, sample logistics and bioinformatics, plus scientific guidance
Human studiesMay be given priority access to our Malaysian genomic data in JRP 2.0
The JRP journey
One program. Three phases. One vision.
Prima Nexus JRP is being introduced phase by phase. Each phase opens new opportunities for Malaysian researchers to take genomic research further: from generating data, to discovering new questions, to advancing selected research.
Coming soon · JRP 2.0
Discover
Research opportunities are opened around our Malaysian genomic data, so new questions can be explored with it.
Future phase · JRP 3.0
Advance
Selected discoveries are taken further, through deeper research collaboration and scientific publication opportunities.
Generate → Discover → AdvanceOne vision: turning Malaysian data into Malaysian discoveries.
Why JRP
Distinctly Malaysian questions, taken further together.
Malaysia has its own populations, disease patterns, biodiversity, farming systems and biological questions. Yet much of the reference data has been generated elsewhere, and local research is often held back by the cost and complexity of genomic studies.
Important questions already exist
Cohorts, samples and biological questions are already held by local researchers, with the potential to generate valuable new knowledge.
Reference data is often not local
In human genomics especially, Malaysia’s diverse population may not be fully represented by findings and allele frequencies from other populations.
Genomics can be hard to scale
A good research question can be held back by study design, sequencing cost, bioinformatics and interpretation.
Collaboration closes the gap
Genomic technology, technical guidance and research support are brought in by Prima Nexus, so more local questions can move forward.
Technology should follow the research question, not the other way around.
How JRP 1.0 works
Three simple steps to get started.
Every application starts with a research idea. Its fit is reviewed, and approved studies are then moved forward together.
01 · Apply
Submit the project
The research title, research question, sample details, and the genomic service or support required are submitted through the Prima Nexus portal.
Research idea → application
02 · Review
Application review
Each application is assessed on project relevance, fit with JRP 1.0, research requirements, and ethics and governance considerations.
Application → review
03 · Collaborate
Move the study forward
For approved projects, the genomic approach is aligned with the Lead Genomic Scientist, followed by data generation, analysis and interpretation with in-kind funding.
Approved project → genomic insight
Applications are open from 12 October to 30 December 2026 and take about ten minutes. A free Prima Nexus portal account is needed.
For successful applicants
What successful applicants receive.
Approved projects are backed by formal collaboration documents.
Letter of Intent
Prima Nexus’s intention to collaborate on the proposed research project is formally confirmed.
Collaborator Agreement
The agreed project scope, genomic service support, in-kind funding and each side’s responsibilities are set out.
Letter of Support
Supporting documents are provided for related research or grant applications, where they apply to the approved collaboration.
Collaborators working on human samples may also be given priority access to our Malaysian genomic data when it opens in JRP 2.0.*
*Subject to Prima Nexus approval.
JRP 1.0 · Generate
Start with your research question. Build the right genomic study around it.
JRP 1.0 is designed to move research forward through genomics.
Ongoing and future research projects are supported through access to genomic capabilities, scientific expertise and collaborative support, enabling research questions to be translated into meaningful discoveries.
| Service | What it answers | In-kind funding |
|---|---|---|
| Human Genotyping Microarray | Common variants genome-wide, for cohort and population studies. Human samples only. | Up to RM5,000 |
| mRNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) | Gene expression and the pathways behind a condition, a treatment or an environmental change, in any species. | Up to RM15,000 |
| Human Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) | Variants and disease-associated genes across the protein-coding genome. Human samples only. | Up to RM35,000 |
| Lead Genomic Scientist consultation | The research question, study design and genomic strategy are refined before data generation starts. | Included |
| Advanced bioinformatics support | Deeper analysis and interpretation beyond the standard bioinformatics, shaped around the research question. | Up to RM4,500 |
| Sample logistics and transportation | In West Malaysia, samples are collected and transported to the laboratory at no cost to the researcher. Separate arrangements are made for East Malaysia. | Fully sponsored (West Malaysia) |
Funding amounts are the maximum per project. The final scope and funding for each project are confirmed in writing after consultation. Support is limited to this year’s in-kind grant budget.
A glimpse of JRP 2.0 · Coming soon
What if your next study could start from the genetic data of about 9,700 Malaysians?
JRP 2.0 is being developed as the next phase of the program, with research opportunities opened around our Malaysian Reference Cohort.
~9,700
people and growing, genotyped on the Illumina Global Screening Array, with allele frequencies broken down by ancestry group (group names provisional).
| Research area | What could be explored |
|---|---|
| Pharmacogenomics | Drug-response variant frequencies compared across ancestry groups, and dosing assumptions made elsewhere checked locally. |
| Cardiometabolic research | An ancestry-resolved genetic layer added to suitable population and risk-model questions. |
| Case-control studies | Aggregate Malaysian reference data used as a comparison for an appropriately designed patient study. |
| Variant interpretation | How common a variant is in the Malaysian cohort, checked before its relevance is judged. |
| Carrier screening | Population-level questions about variants linked to inherited conditions. |
| Population genetics | Allele-frequency patterns studied across Malaysian ancestry groups. |
What the data is not: it is array-based (common variants, not rare or structural ones), it has no health outcome data, and ancestry groups are inferred from the genetic data, so the group names are provisional. Results are shared as aggregate statistics only, never individual records. One ancestry group is smaller than the others. Access in JRP 2.0 will be subject to its own research, ethics, consent and governance requirements.
Future phaseJRP 3.0
What comes after discovery?
JRP 3.0
Advance.
Some discoveries deserve to go further.
JRP 3.0 is planned as the next step for selected research and discoveries from Prima Nexus JRP, where deeper scientific collaboration and support towards publication will be offered.
Generate→Discover→Advance
More details will be announced as JRP 3.0 develops.
Before you apply
Frequently asked questions.
Who can apply, and which projects are eligible?
Researchers at Malaysian universities, research institutes and hospitals can apply, including postgraduate students applying with their supervisor. Both ongoing and future projects are eligible. JRP 1.0 focuses on healthcare and population genomics. Samples from any species are welcome, as long as the study links back to human health or population genomics. For example, a study of the gut microbiome and its effect on human health is eligible, while a study of microbes that break down plastic is not. For non-human samples, the service offered is mRNA sequencing.
What support is provided?
In-kind funding is given for the human genotyping microarray (up to RM5,000), mRNA sequencing (up to RM15,000) and human whole exome sequencing (up to RM35,000), and for advanced bioinformatics (up to RM4,500). Sample logistics and transportation are fully sponsored in West Malaysia (separate arrangements for East Malaysia), a Lead Genomic Scientist consultation is included, and technical support is provided from study design through analysis and interpretation. Successful projects may also be issued a Letter of Intent, a Collaborator Agreement and a Letter of Support, where they apply.
What is needed before applying?
A clear research question or study objective is enough to begin. A fully developed study, ready samples or ethics approval are not needed at this stage. Where possible, the expected sample type, approximate number of samples and timeline should be shared. Where ethics approval is needed, it must be in place before samples are processed.
Why is a portal account needed?
Each application is saved in a Prima Nexus portal account, so its status can be checked at any time. Name, institution and contact details are filled in from the profile, so only the project is asked about in the form. Creating an account is free.
What happens after submission?
The research question, project requirements and fit with JRP 1.0 are reviewed by our team, and applicants are contacted if more information is needed. Successful applications move to the collaboration stage, where the project scope, genomic approach, in-kind funding and next steps are confirmed. Application status can be followed in the portal.
Is there a limit on places?
No fixed number of places is set. Support is limited to this year’s in-kind grant budget, so early applications are encouraged.
Can this be used alongside an existing grant?
Yes. In-kind funding can stretch an existing grant further, and the Letter of Support can help with a new grant application.
What are JRP 2.0 and JRP 3.0, and does JRP 1.0 give access?
The program is introduced phase by phase. JRP 2.0, coming soon, opens research opportunities around our Malaysian genomic data. JRP 1.0 collaborators working on human samples may be given priority access, subject to Prima Nexus approval. JRP 3.0 is a future phase in which selected research and discoveries are taken further, through deeper scientific collaboration and publication opportunities. Each phase will have its own eligibility, selection and governance requirements.
Is project information kept confidential?
Yes. Submitted information is seen only by the Prima Nexus team reviewing applications, and is handled under our Privacy Policy.
Prima Nexus Joint Research Program · JRP 1.0
Your research question could be where the next discovery begins.
Whether samples are already in hand, a grant is being prepared, or genomics is only being explored, every application starts with what you want to discover. Applications take about ten minutes: once signed in to a free Prima Nexus portal account, the form opens straight away.
Already have a portal account? Sign in and apply
JRP 1.0 is now open. JRP 2.0 is coming soon. JRP 3.0 will follow as the program develops.