The NIH Common Fund’s Venture Program has announced the first award for the NBSxWGS (BEACONS) initiative, a multi-institutional effort to assess the feasibility of integrating whole genome sequencing into U.S. public health newborn screening programs. BEACONS brings together academic leaders, public health laboratories, sequencing partners, and community stakeholders to explore how genomic screening could identify treatable conditions early in life and support thoughtful consent and implementation. This initiative represents a major step toward expanding equitable, evidence-based genomic screening for newborns nationwide.
